Texas Electrical Contractor Certificate of Insurance Requirements

An electrical contractor's Certificate of Insurance is the gate to commercial work in Texas. Because electrical defects cause fires that surface months after installation, commercial GCs verify completed-operations coverage on the COI before allowing an electrical sub to mobilize. Delivering the right endorsements the first time keeps you on the job and protects the GC downline.

Endorsements a Commercial GC Verifies

• Additional Insured via CG 20 10 (ongoing operations) and CG 20 37 (completed operations)
• Waiver of Subrogation in favor of the GC and owner
• Primary and Non-Contributory wording
• Products and Completed Operations coverage included
• GL limit of $1M/$2M (commercial: $2M/$2M)
• Workers' comp with waiver of subrogation

Why Electrical Needs CG 20 37

A fire caused by a wiring defect discovered months after installation is a completed-operations claim. CG 20 37 extends additional-insured status to completed operations so the GC is protected after the electrical sub leaves. Many Texas commercial contracts now require both CG 20 10 and CG 20 37 — a COI showing only a generic "Additional Insured" is insufficient.

High-Voltage and Solar Coverage on the COI

Verify your own policy supports the COI you are issuing. An electrical GL with a high-voltage exclusion cannot back a COI for industrial work, and a solar PV exclusion cannot back a COI for solar installation. Request the endorsement letter confirming the relevant class codes are covered before you request the certificate.

TDLR Insurance Minimum

TDLR requires Texas electrical contractors to carry GL of at least $300,000 per occurrence to maintain licensure. A COI for permit or GC use should reflect your contract limits (typically $1M/$2M), not the TDLR floor. Verify the COI matches the contract, not just the license minimum.

Sub COIs for 1099 Electricians

If you run 1099 electricians, the GC may require their COIs naming you additional insured. Track sub expirations and collect renewals before the old certificate lapses. An uninsured electrician mid-project turns a covered exposure into an uninsured one on your GL — and electrical claims are among the most expensive.