Texas guide

Texas subcontractor insurance requirements: what to ask for

Short answer

Texas has no single statewide subcontractor insurance mandate for private work. What you require comes from your contract, your insurer and the owner. Common asks are general liability, auto, umbrella and workers’ compensation. Public projects add statutory workers’ compensation requirements. Use the builder to draft a requirements summary you can edit.

Written by Liam · CertChase · Last reviewed October 3, 2026

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What coverage do GCs typically require?

Coverage	What it protects	Texas note
Commercial general liability	Third-party injury and property damage	Usually required on every sub. Limits come from your contract.
Workers’ compensation and employers’ liability	Injury to the sub’s own employees	Optional for most private Texas employers, so a sub may be a “non-subscriber.” Decide your position in the contract.
Commercial auto	Vehicles on or to the job	Required if the sub drives to or on site.
Umbrella or excess	Limits above the primary policies	Often required on larger jobs.

How do public projects differ?

Under Texas Labor Code 406.096, a governmental entity must require its building or construction contractor to certify that it provides workers’ compensation coverage for each employee on the public project. Each subcontractor must give a coverage certificate to the general contractor, who passes it to the entity. Check the agency’s own rules for the form of proof.

Source: Texas Labor Code 406.096. Statutes change. Check the current text.

Not legal or insurance advice. Statutes change and contracts differ. Verify against the primary source (linked or named) and talk to your broker or attorney before relying on this.

What about non-subscriber subs?

A Texas sub without workers’ compensation is a “non-subscriber.” That is lawful for most private employers, but it can change your exposure if one of their workers is hurt. Many GCs require coverage or an alternative risk position in the contract. Ask your broker how non-subscriber subs affect your policy and your premium audit.

Build your own requirements summary

The builder above generates an editable one-page summary. Every limit is a starting point you change to match your contract, not a recommendation.

Frequently asked questions

What limits should I require from Texas subcontractors?

There is no universal number. Limits depend on your contract, project size, owner requirements and your own policy. Ask your broker for a schedule by trade and risk.

Is a certificate of insurance enough?

A certificate is evidence of coverage at a point in time, not a guarantee. For endorsements such as additional insured status, request the endorsement page.

Keep reading

01Texas guideTexas workers’ comp verificationTexas lets most private employers skip workers’ comp. Learn how to tell if a sub is covered, what proof to ask for and where to verify.02Texas guideTexas additional insured and indemnityTexas limits how construction contracts can shift liability. What GCs should know about additional insured and indemnity, and what to confirm with counsel.03Free templateSubcontractor insurance requirements templateBuild an editable one-page subcontractor insurance requirements summary. Every limit is yours to set.

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