General liability is the core requirement
The lease will set a minimum for commercial general liability, commonly expressed as an amount per occurrence and an aggregate. It will also usually require that the landlord, the building owner and the managing agent be named as additional insureds, so that your policy responds if a third party sues them over an incident connected to your space. The lease may specify the exact wording it wants in the description of operations box.
Property coverage for what is inside the space
Landlords insure the building, not your equipment, furniture or tenant improvements. Many leases therefore ask you to carry property coverage for your own contents and to provide evidence of it. Because that evidence is issued on a different form than the liability certificate, ask your broker for both if the lease calls for both.
Other lines that often appear
Larger or more regulated landlords add requirements beyond the basics. Review the lease for any of these before you sign, so that your program can be adjusted ahead of the move in date.
- Workers compensation at statutory limits for employees working in the space.
- An umbrella or excess liability policy that sits above general liability.
- Waiver of subrogation in favor of the landlord.
- Primary and non-contributory wording.
- Business interruption or rent coverage, depending on the lease.
Timing the request
Landlords usually need the certificate before they release keys or before the lease commencement date. Ask your broker for the certificate as soon as the lease is final, and send the insurance section with the request. If an endorsement is required, starting early gives the insurer time to approve it, and gives you time to correct anything the landlord's reviewer flags.
Last updated October 22, 2026. Written by the Alton Risk placement team.