Texas Excavation Contractor Certificate of Insurance Requirements

An excavation contractor's Certificate of Insurance is the gate to commercial and DOT work in Texas. Because utility-strike and grading-defect claims surface after the excavation sub leaves, commercial GCs and DOT verify completed-operations and underground coverage on the COI before allowing an excavation sub to mobilize. Delivering the right endorsements the first time keeps you on the job.

Endorsements GCs and DOT Verify

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

Utility-Strike and Underground Coverage on the COI

Verify your own policy supports the COI you are issuing. An excavation GL with an underground exclusion cannot back a COI for trenching or utility work. Provide the endorsement letter confirming utility-strike and underground coverage before the GC requests the certificate. Confirm Texas811 and trench-safety documentation is in place.

Why Excavation Needs CG 20 37

A grading or compaction defect discovered after the excavation sub leaves is a completed-operations claim. CG 20 37 extends additional-insured status to completed operations so the GC is protected after mobilization. Many Texas commercial and DOT contracts now require both CG 20 10 and CG 20 37 — a COI showing only a generic "Additional Insured" is insufficient and will be rejected.

Sub COIs for 1099 Excavation Crews

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

Delivery and Timing

Deliver the COI before mobilization, before any equipment crosses the site line. Most Texas commercial and DOT contracts condition site access on a compliant COI; starting work without it can void your contract and shift liability for a utility strike onto you personally.