Insurance & Indemnity
Welcome
Hello, and welcome. This is Super Structures General Contractors — a national general contractor headquartered in Powhatan, Virginia — here to help you and your clients build something that lasts. We're glad you're with us, and we look forward to connecting with you.
Roll up your sleeves — we're getting into Insurance & Indemnity. Cut through everything, and it's this: Carry the right coverage (CGL, WC, builder's risk), collect COIs and additional-insured/subrogation endorsements from subs, and scrutinize indemnity clauses — broad-form indemnity can exceed your insurance and your wallet. Master this and you become the person others come to with the hard questions.
These clauses decide who pays when someone is hurt or something is damaged — potentially the most expensive words in your contract.
Insurance you'll carry/require
- General Liability (CGL) — third-party injury/property damage.
- Workers' Compensation — your employees' injuries (required by law).
- Commercial Auto, Builder's Risk, Umbrella/Excess, and sometimes Professional/Pollution.
- Additional insured — the owner/GC asks to be added to your policy so your insurer defends them.
- Waiver of subrogation — your insurer gives up the right to come after the other party; commonly required.
- Certificates of Insurance (COIs) — proof; collect them from every sub before they start.
Indemnification
An indemnity clause shifts liability — you agree to cover the other party's losses. Watch for broad-form indemnity (covering their own negligence), which many states limit or void by anti-indemnity statutes. Match your insurance limits to what you're indemnifying, or you're personally exposed.
Takeaway: Carry the right coverage (CGL, WC, builder's risk), collect COIs and additional-insured/subrogation endorsements from subs, and scrutinize indemnity clauses — broad-form indemnity can exceed your insurance and your wallet.
Educational overview — not legal advice. Construction law varies by state and by contract; consult a licensed construction attorney for your situation.