THE SHORT ANSWER
Separate status, priority and recovery rights.
Additional insured addresses whether another party receives some insured status under a policy. Primary and noncontributory addresses the intended order and contribution of applicable insurance. Waiver of subrogation addresses specified recovery rights after an insurer pays a covered loss. Exact effect depends on the contract, policy and endorsement.
What each requirement is trying to do
Additional insured
Requests some protection for another person or organization under a named insured's policy, usually within a defined relationship or operation.
Ask:Who is being added, to which coverage, for whose acts or work, and for what period?
Primary and noncontributory
Addresses how applicable insurance is intended to respond relative to other insurance available to the protected party.
Ask:Which policy should respond first, and is contribution from the other party's insurance intended to be restricted?
Waiver of subrogation
Addresses an insurer's recovery rights against a specified person or organization after payment, subject to the policy and applicable endorsement.
Ask:In whose favour, for which policy line, and to what work or loss does the waiver apply?
Which party must act changes the answer
If your organization is hiring a vendor, the request may be designed to protect your organization from liability arising from the vendor's work. If your organization is the supplier, the same language creates obligations that must be compared with available insurance and the actual engagement. Never infer who must act from the clause heading alone.
Write one sentence: “Under this agreement, [party] must provide [requirement] to protect [party] for [work or exposure].” If the sentence cannot be completed confidently, the requirement needs clarification.
Contract wording and evidence are separate questions
A contract can require an insurance mechanic, but the operational question is how it will be evidenced. A certificate may summarize listed insurance; it does not by itself amend policy terms. Depending on the request and organizational policy, the evidence path might involve a certificate, endorsement, or broker confirmation. Do not request full policies by default.
Five questions before you agree
- Which party provides the protection, and which party receives it?
- Which policy line is intended: CGL, Auto, Workers' Compensation, Umbrella, or another?
- Does the request relate to the actual work and allocation of responsibility?
- Can the requirement be supported by available insurance and acceptable evidence?
- Who approves any exception, cost or unsupported promise?
Try the workflow