Exclusion — Designated Professional Services
Excludes liability from scheduled professional services — a gap for design-build subs.
What it actually does
CG 21 16 excludes coverage for bodily injury, property damage, and personal/advertising injury arising out of the rendering of, or failure to render, any professional service shown in the endorsement's schedule. CGL policies are not meant to cover professional liability, and this endorsement makes that explicit for designated services.
For a sub that performs only physical trade work, this changes nothing. But for design-build, engineering-adjacent, or consulting subs, CG 21 16 confirms their CGL won't respond to a professional-services claim (a design error, a specification mistake) — that exposure belongs on a professional liability / errors-and-omissions policy.
When verifying COIs, check whether the sub's scope includes any design or professional element. If it does and CG 21 16 is attached, confirm separate professional liability coverage is carried, because the CGL has carved that exposure out.
Verification checklist
- 01Read the schedule to see exactly which professional services are excluded.
- 02If the sub's scope is design-build or includes engineering, confirm professional liability (E&O) coverage exists.
- 03Don't rely on the CGL for design-error claims when CG 21 16 is present.
Common mistakes
- ·Assuming the CGL covers design errors — professional services are excluded by CG 21 16.
- ·Missing that a design-build sub needs separate professional liability coverage.
Frequently asked questions
What does CG 21 16 exclude?
Liability arising out of the professional services listed in its schedule — the CGL won't respond to those, since professional exposure belongs on an E&O policy.
When should I worry about CG 21 16?
When the sub performs design-build, engineering, or consulting work. Confirm they carry separate professional liability coverage.
Is CG 21 16 unusual?
No — CGLs commonly exclude professional services. It's a flag to verify E&O coverage for design-involved subs, not a defect by itself.
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This page explains CG 21 16 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.