Security Guard subcontractor insurance requirements
Record armed or unarmed duties, patrols, crowd control, vehicle use and access responsibilities. The actual security service must be clear in the agreement.
Start with your agreement, the work scope and the applicable state workers’ comp rules. Collect current policy evidence and the endorsements your agreement requires. A certificate summarizes information; it does not resolve every exclusion or condition.
Scope details that change the review
Use of force
Detention, removal and physical intervention need careful policy-scope review.
Professional duties
Missed patrols or response obligations can raise service-failure claims.
Special events
Crowd control and alcohol-related settings can differ from routine guarding.
Questions for the contractor and agent
- Does the policy address armed duties, assault and battery, or use of force relevant to this service?
- Are professional-service and auto exposures addressed where required?
- Does the vendor subcontract shifts or use separately employed personnel?
Documents to collect
- GL, workers comp and required auto evidence
- Relevant professional or specialty liability evidence
- Applicable licensing and required endorsement documentation
Compare policy dates and limits against the signed requirements. Check the actual endorsement wording when the requirement depends on insured status, a waiver or the scope of operations. Keep unknown items pending and record the reviewer responsible for resolving them.
A hypothetical review
A vendor hired for unarmed lobby access begins providing armed overnight patrols. The manager pauses the scope expansion for an appropriate policy and licensing review.
Renewals and scope changes
Review changes in duties, weapons, venues and subcontracted staffing promptly.
Choosing limits
These review questions do not establish a universal legal minimum for this trade. Owner contracts, project size, operations and applicable licensing rules can change what is required. Use the requirements generator for an illustrative starting schedule, then have the authorized risk owner and broker approve the actual requirements.
Prepare the request
- Copy the certificate request email
- Download the COI review checklist
- Check workers’ comp requirements by state
Related trades
Scope and safety references
These official resources help identify operational hazards. They do not prescribe the insurance limits or policy terms for your contract.