Envelope trade

Glazing & Windows subcontractor insurance requirements

What a general contractor should require from a glazing & windows subcontractor before they set foot on site, and the coverage gap that most often turns a glazing & windows job into the GC's claim.

Risk tier
Moderate
State license
Usually not
OSHA on site
Yes: 10/30

Why glazing & windows insurance matters

Falling glass, curtain-wall failures, and water-intrusion defects drive property-damage and completed-operations claims.

What to require from a glazing & windows sub

General liability, workers' comp, and completed operations; curtain-wall and window leaks are classic late-appearing defect claims.

Licensing

Generally not a separately licensed trade.

The endorsement that matters

Completed-operations additional insured for water-intrusion exposure.

The gap that bites GCs on glazing & windows work

No completed-operations coverage on a trade whose defects (leaks) show up seasons later.

Most of these gaps come down to one thing: additional insured status and the right endorsement.

General information, not legal or insurance advice; confirm requirements with your broker and the terms of your subcontract.

Never miss a glazing & windows sub's expired COI

TradeGuard tracks every subcontractor's certificate, flags missing endorsements, and warns you before coverage lapses, so a glazing & windows gap never becomes your claim.

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Glazing & Windows insurance FAQ

What insurance should a glazing & windows subcontractor carry?+

At minimum, General liability, workers' comp, and completed operations; curtain-wall and window leaks are classic late-appearing defect claims.

Do glazing & windows subcontractors need a license?+

Generally not a separately licensed trade. Always confirm the requirement in the state and locality where the work happens.

What's the most common COI gap on glazing & windows work?+

No completed-operations coverage on a trade whose defects (leaks) show up seasons later.

Other trades

Requirements also vary by state; see insurance requirements by state.