CG 20 26: Additional Insured - Designated Person or Organization
Current Edition: 12 19 · Full ID: CG 20 26 12 19
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What Is CG 20 26?
This endorsement adds a specific person or organization as an additional insured on the policy for liability arising out of the named insured's activities. It is the general-purpose additional-insured form used when the relationship does not fit a more specific category like construction (CG 20 10) or property management (CG 20 11).
Technical Summary: Grants additional-insured status to a designated entity for liability arising out of the named insured's operations or premises. The 11/85 edition was notably broad, covering both ongoing and completed operations without explicit limitation. The 04/13+ editions narrowed scope by adding a sole-negligence exclusion and tying coverage more tightly to the named insured's acts or omissions. Some carriers offer manuscript versions with broader language.
What CG 20 26 Covers
- +Bodily injury or property damage arising from the named insured's operations or premises
- +Vicarious liability of the designated additional insured for acts of the named insured
- +Both ongoing and completed operations in older editions (11/85); scope narrowed in later editions
What CG 20 26 Does NOT Cover
- -Sole negligence of the additional insured (04/13+ editions)
- -Liability unrelated to the named insured's operations
- -Professional liability or errors and omissions
- -Independent acts of the additional insured not connected to the named insured's work
Key Provisions
- ●The additional insured must be specifically designated by name on the endorsement schedule
- ●Coverage scope depends heavily on the edition date -- 11/85 is far broader than 04/13
- ●Coverage is for liability caused, in whole or in part, by the named insured's acts or omissions
- ●The form does not specify operations type, making it flexible but sometimes ambiguous in scope
Edition History
- • Tightened scope language -- moved from broad 'arising out of' to 'caused by' the named insured
- • Reduced ambiguity about completed-operations applicability
- • Added explicit sole-negligence exclusion
- • Strengthened causation nexus to named insured's acts
- • Aligned with other 04/13 AI endorsement revisions
- • Minor reference and formatting updates
- • No substantive coverage changes
Common Mistakes & E&O Warnings
The CG 20 26 is versatile but vague. Because the form does not specify the type of operations covered, disputes can arise over whether a particular claim falls within scope. Agencies face E&O exposure when they issue this form without verifying that it actually satisfies the contract requirements -- especially when the contract demands completed-operations coverage that the current edition may not clearly provide.
- ⚠Assuming the 04/13 edition provides the same broad coverage as the 11/85 edition (it does not)
- ⚠Using CG 20 26 when a more specific form like CG 20 10 is actually required by the contract
- ⚠Believing this form automatically includes completed operations in all editions
- ⚠Not verifying whether the contract requires primary-and-noncontributory status in addition to AI coverage
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use CG 20 26 instead of CG 20 10?
Use CG 20 26 when the relationship is not specifically an owner-lessee-contractor arrangement. CG 20 26 is the general-purpose AI form, while CG 20 10 is tailored for construction and premises relationships.
Does CG 20 26 cover completed operations?
The 11/85 edition was broadly interpreted to include completed operations. The 04/13 and 12/19 editions are narrower and may not clearly extend to completed operations. If completed-ops coverage is needed, confirm with the carrier or add CG 20 37.
Is CG 20 26 the same as a blanket additional insured?
No. CG 20 26 requires the additional insured to be specifically named on the schedule. Blanket AI forms like CG 20 33 grant automatic status based on a contract requirement, without individual scheduling.
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