Additional Insured — Owners, Lessees Or Contractors — Automatic Status When Required In Construction Agreement With You
Automatic AI status when the subcontract requires it — no schedule needed, but ongoing operations only.
What it actually does
CG 20 33 grants automatic additional-insured status to any party with whom the named insured has signed a written construction agreement requiring such status. The "automatic" language means there's no need to list each AI on a separate schedule — the contract itself becomes the trigger.
Like CG 20 10, the coverage applies only to liability arising out of the named insured's ongoing operations performed for the additional insured. Completed operations are excluded — for that, pair with CG 20 37, or use CG 20 38 (the automatic-status equivalent that includes completed ops).
An important limitation: CG 20 33 does not apply when a more specific additional-insured endorsement (a scheduled CG 20 10, for example) is attached for the same party. The "lower of" clause also caps AI coverage at the lesser of the limits required by the contract or the limits of the policy.
Verification checklist
- 01Verify a fully executed written subcontract exists and specifies AI status — without a contract, automatic status doesn't trigger.
- 02Confirm completed-operations coverage is provided via CG 20 38 or CG 20 37 if required.
- 03Check the 'lower of' limit cap against your subcontract's required AI limits.
- 04Make sure the subcontract is signed BEFORE any loss occurs — automatic status only applies prospectively.
Common mistakes
- ·Assuming AI status is conferred without a signed contract — verbal or unsigned agreements don't trigger automatic forms.
- ·Accepting CG 20 33 when completed operations are required — pair with CG 20 38 or use CG 20 10 + CG 20 37.
- ·Missing the limits cap from the 'lower of' language.
Frequently asked questions
Does CG 20 33 require a schedule?
No. CG 20 33 grants automatic additional-insured status to anyone the named insured has a written construction agreement with, so no party needs to be scheduled. But that written agreement must exist and be signed.
Does CG 20 33 cover completed operations?
No. CG 20 33 is ongoing-operations only. CG 20 38 is the automatic-status form that also includes completed operations.
What is the difference between CG 20 33 and CG 20 38?
Both grant automatic AI status from a written contract. CG 20 33 covers ongoing operations only; CG 20 38 adds completed operations.
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Check a COI for CG 20 33 →Related endorsements
This page explains CG 20 33 in plain English for COI verification. It is informational only and is not legal or insurance advice — confirm the actual endorsement language and have your counsel or insurance agent review your specific requirements.