Contractual Liability — Railroads
Broadens 'insured contract' to cover work within 50 feet of a railroad — needed on rail-adjacent jobs.
What it actually does
CG 24 17 broadens the CGL's definition of "insured contract" by removing the standard easement/railroad exception. The unendorsed CGL excludes from "insured contract" any easement or license agreement in connection with construction or demolition operations on or within 50 feet of a railroad. That means indemnity you assume in a railroad right-of-entry or crossing agreement is normally NOT covered.
CG 24 17 deletes that carve-out, restoring contractual-liability coverage for the indemnity obligations in railroad agreements. It's essential whenever a sub works on, over, under, or within 50 feet of railroad property — a common requirement of railroad right-of-entry agreements, which demand specific insurance including this endorsement.
When verifying COIs for rail-adjacent work, confirm CG 24 17 is attached; without it, the railroad-protective indemnity in the access agreement may be uninsured.
Verification checklist
- 01Confirm CG 24 17 is attached when any work is within 50 feet of a railroad.
- 02Match it to the railroad's right-of-entry insurance requirements (they're usually specific).
- 03Verify limits meet the railroad agreement (often higher than standard).
- 04Check the named railroad/entity matches the access agreement.
Common mistakes
- ·Skipping CG 24 17 on rail-adjacent work and leaving the railroad indemnity uninsured.
- ·Assuming standard CGL contractual liability already covers railroad agreements — the 50-foot exception removes it.
Frequently asked questions
When do I need CG 24 17?
Whenever a subcontractor works on, over, under, or within 50 feet of a railroad. The standard CGL excludes contractual liability for railroad easement/license agreements; CG 24 17 restores it.
What does CG 24 17 actually do?
It deletes the railroad/easement exception from the 'insured contract' definition, so the indemnity assumed in a railroad right-of-entry agreement is covered.
Is CG 24 17 the same as a waiver of subrogation?
No. It's a contractual-liability broadening form. Railroads often also require waivers and additional-insured status separately.
Checking a COI for CG 24 17?
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Check a COI for CG 24 17 →Related endorsements
This page explains CG 24 17 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.