Blanket waiver of subrogation: how it works and when it protects you
When a subcontractor works for 30 different GCs, its broker doesn't want to issue 30 separate endorsements. The fix is a blanket waiver of subrogation. Instead of a name, the policy has wording that covers anyone the sub has agreed in writing to protect.
That's convenient for the sub, and it can be fine for you. But it shifts the burden onto your paperwork. This guide explains how blanket wording works and the situations where it quietly doesn't apply.
If waivers are new to you, the waiver of subrogation explainer covers the basics, and the waiver of subrogation endorsement guide covers the standard forms.
Blanket vs. specific: the difference is the schedule
Every waiver endorsement has a schedule, a box that says who the waiver applies to.
| Specific (scheduled) waiver | Blanket waiver | |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule says | "ABC Builders, LLC" | "Any person or organization with whom you have agreed in a written contract to waive rights of recovery" |
| Who's protected | Only the named party | Anyone with the right written contract |
| Paperwork for each new client | Broker adds a name | Nothing, as long as the contract is in place |
| What it depends on | The endorsement | Your contract |
The conditions hidden in blanket wording
Blanket waivers usually come with conditions. Common ones:
- A written contract. A handshake deal or a verbal "you're good" doesn't count. You need a signed subcontract, master service agreement or purchase order with insurance terms.
- Signed before the loss. Many forms say the contract must be "executed prior to loss". A contract signed after the accident won't help.
- The contract has to require a waiver. The blanket applies where the insured agreed to waive rights. If your subcontract only asks for insurance and never mentions subrogation, there may be nothing for the blanket to attach to.
- The scope may be limited. Some blanket waivers cover only "your work performed for that person" or only certain locations. Others apply only to claims from operations under that contract.
The upshot: a blanket waiver is only as good as your contract file. If you can't find the signed subcontract when there's a claim, you may not get the waiver's protection.
What a blanket waiver looks like on a COI
On an ACORD 25 you'll typically see:
- SUBR WVD marked on general liability and workers' comp (sometimes auto and umbrella too)
- A note in Description of Operations such as "Blanket waiver of subrogation applies to GL and WC when required by written contract."
The certificate doesn't prove the endorsement exists, and it doesn't tell you whether your contract qualifies. For larger or riskier jobs, ask for the endorsement pages.
A checklist for GCs and property managers
- Make sure your contract actually asks for the waiver. Your subcontract or vendor agreement should say which policies need a waiver (GL, auto, workers' comp, umbrella) and who it should cover: you, the owner, and any other parties the prime contract requires.
- Get the contract signed before mobilization. No signed contract, no site access. This matters more with blanket waivers than with almost anything else.
- Check every required line. A blanket waiver on GL doesn't extend to workers' comp. Each policy needs its own.
- Ask for the endorsement on high-risk trades. Roofing, steel, excavation, demolition and elevator work are worth the extra email.
- Recheck at every renewal. When a sub changes carriers, endorsement packages change too. A blanket waiver last year doesn't mean there's one this year.
Should you accept a blanket waiver?
Usually, yes. Blanket waivers are standard practice and many carriers won't issue anything else. Accept them when:
- your contract clearly requires the waiver and is signed before work starts
- the certificate shows SUBR WVD on every line your contract requires
- the endorsement wording, if you've seen it, doesn't narrow the waiver to something your contract doesn't cover
Push for a specific waiver, or talk to your broker, when the contract chain is complicated (owners, lenders, several tiers of subs) or when the prime contract requires named parties on the endorsement.
Keep the paper trail current
A blanket waiver turns COI tracking into contract tracking. Certy checks every certificate for the general liability waiver when your requirements call for one, keeps the latest COI for each vendor, and asks vendors for a new one before the current one expires. Pair it with a signed subcontract and you have both halves of the proof.
This article is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Have your attorney or broker review waiver wording in your contracts.
Frequently asked questions
What is a blanket waiver of subrogation?
It is a waiver of subrogation endorsement that doesn't name a specific party. It applies to any person or organization the insured agreed in a written contract to waive rights against, usually only if the contract was signed before the loss.
Is a blanket waiver as good as a specific one?
It can be, if your written contract clearly requires the waiver and was signed before work started. If there's no signed contract, or the contract doesn't mention a waiver, the blanket waiver may not apply to you.
How do I know if a vendor's waiver is blanket or specific?
Read the endorsement schedule. A blanket waiver describes a group, such as 'where required by written contract'. A specific waiver lists your company's name. The certificate's Description of Operations box often says which, but the endorsement is the proof.
Does a blanket waiver of subrogation cost more?
On workers' comp, a blanket waiver often costs more than a single scheduled waiver because it covers every contract. It's usually cheaper than adding many specific waivers one at a time.