# ComplySub guides

> Plain-language guides to subcontractor insurance certificates, endorsements, contract requirements, and contractor licenses in Colorado, California, Texas, and Florida.

- [How to read an ACORD 25 certificate, field by field](https://complysub.agntwrk.com/guides/acord-25-certificate-field-by-field.md): Walk through every section of an ACORD 25 certificate of liability insurance, from producer and insurers to limits, dates, and holder, and what each tells you.
- [Additional insured: CG 20 10 vs CG 20 37](https://complysub.agntwrk.com/guides/additional-insured-cg-20-10-vs-cg-20-37.md): Learn what additional insured status means, how CG 20 10 (ongoing work) differs from CG 20 37 (completed work), and how to verify the real endorsement.
- [Waiver of subrogation: what it is and what to verify](https://complysub.agntwrk.com/guides/waiver-of-subrogation.md): Learn what subrogation is, why contracts require a waiver of subrogation on GL, auto, and workers' comp, and how to confirm the endorsement is really in place.
- [Primary and non-contributory insurance, explained](https://complysub.agntwrk.com/guides/primary-and-non-contributory.md): Learn what primary and non-contributory wording means, why GCs and owners require it, how it pairs with additional insured status, and how to spot gaps.
- [Certificate holder vs additional insured](https://complysub.agntwrk.com/guides/certificate-holder-vs-additional-insured.md): The plain-language difference between a certificate holder and an additional insured, the common mistakes, and how to write holder wording into your contract.
- [General liability limits explained](https://complysub.agntwrk.com/guides/general-liability-limits-explained.md): Each occurrence, general aggregate, products-completed operations, and the other commercial general liability limits, and how to read them on a certificate.
- [Umbrella vs excess liability insurance](https://complysub.agntwrk.com/guides/umbrella-vs-excess-liability.md): Understand how umbrella and excess policies differ, how they appear on an ACORD 25, and the common gap where the certificate does not show what it needs to.
- [Red flags when reviewing a certificate of insurance](https://complysub.agntwrk.com/guides/certificate-of-insurance-red-flags.md): Spot the common problems on a certificate of insurance: dates, names, limits, checked boxes without endorsements, wrong holder, and when to ask for more proof.
- [Writing insurance requirements in a subcontract](https://complysub.agntwrk.com/guides/writing-subcontract-insurance-requirements.md): A checklist for a subcontract insurance section: coverages, limits, endorsements, certificate holder, evidence timing, and what happens on non-compliance.
- [GC insurance requirements by trade](https://complysub.agntwrk.com/guides/gc-insurance-requirements-by-trade.md): See which coverages and endorsements general contractors commonly require from electricians, plumbers, HVAC, roofers, concrete, and painters, and why.
- [What to do when a subcontractor's certificate expires](https://complysub.agntwrk.com/guides/subcontractor-certificate-expired.md): A step-by-step plan for an expired subcontractor insurance certificate: confirm the lapse, get the renewal, set a deadline, and prevent it next time.
- [How property managers track vendor insurance](https://complysub.agntwrk.com/guides/property-manager-vendor-insurance-tracking.md): Learn which vendors need insurance, what to collect from each, how to organize records by property and owner, and how to run an annual review.
- [Workers' comp exemptions for sole proprietors](https://complysub.agntwrk.com/guides/workers-comp-exemptions-sole-proprietors.md): A general guide to workers' comp exemptions for sole proprietors and owners, why a GC may still want proof, and what to ask for instead of a certificate.
- [Colorado contractor license lookup: what the state covers](https://complysub.agntwrk.com/guides/colorado-contractor-license-lookup.md): Colorado licenses electricians and plumbers statewide but not general contractors. Learn what to look up, where, and what to ask a subcontractor for.
- [California contractor license lookup with the CSLB](https://complysub.agntwrk.com/guides/california-contractor-license-lookup.md): How to check a California contractor license with the CSLB: status, classification, bond, workers' comp, and the traps that let a bad license look fine.
- [Texas contractor license lookup: TDLR and plumbing](https://complysub.agntwrk.com/guides/texas-contractor-license-lookup.md): Texas has no general contractor license. Learn which trades TDLR and the plumbing board license, where to search, and what to ask a subcontractor.
- [Florida contractor license lookup: certified vs registered](https://complysub.agntwrk.com/guides/florida-contractor-license-lookup.md): Florida contractors are certified statewide or registered locally. Learn how to check a license on the DBPR site and read status values like delinquent.
- [COI tracking: spreadsheet vs software](https://complysub.agntwrk.com/guides/coi-tracking-spreadsheet-vs-software.md): A spreadsheet is enough for a handful of vendors. Learn what breaks as you grow, what software should do, and what to look for when you choose.
- [How subcontractors can prequalify faster](https://complysub.agntwrk.com/guides/subcontractor-prequalification.md): Build one compliance packet, keep it current, and ask your agent for blanket endorsements so general contractors approve you in days instead of weeks.
- [Getting a COI from your insurance agent](https://complysub.agntwrk.com/guides/getting-a-coi-from-your-insurance-agent.md): What to send your insurance agent so a certificate of insurance comes back fast and correct, and how to check it against the contract before you send it.