Guides / Franchise owners
Preparing commercial policies for a franchise insurance audit
How franchisor additional-insured, location schedules, and certificate language map onto the forms in a multi-unit packet.
The franchisor is usually an additional insured, not the named insured
Item 1 on the declarations should be your operating entity (and any additional named insureds that actually own locations). The franchisor typically belongs on CG 20 29 (grantor of franchise) or CG 20 26 (designated person or organization), plus whatever the brand manual names.
If the FDD or brand standard also wants a waiver of subrogation, that is a separate endorsement on each required line.
Locations have to match the real estate list
Audits fail when a store address is missing from the property or GL location schedule, or when a new unit was added in the operations spreadsheet but not on the policy. Newly acquired location wording is time-limited. Bring the schedule, not just the certificate.
Packet versus one PDF
Franchisees often receive a package: GL, property, auto, workers compensation, umbrella. Each has its own declarations and form list. Upload each file if you want Coverbird to separate carriers, terms, and limits instead of blending them into one blob.
Coverbird reads the declarations and form schedule on the PDF you already have. It does not sell insurance or say whether a limit is enough.
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