Distributors & wholesalers
You may not make the product, but you can still be named in the lawsuit.
Distribution contracts, repackaging, advice, installation and additional insured requirements all affect the risk.
Your role matters
Underwriters need to know whether you only resell sealed products or also relabel, repackage, assemble, modify, install, demonstrate, recommend or provide technical advice. Each activity can change the allegations and the classifications.
Vendor coverage
A manufacturer’s vendor endorsement may provide limited protection to qualifying sellers, but exclusions and conditions matter. It may not cover modification, relabeling, independent negligence or products outside the agreement. Maintain your own program.
Certificates are evidence, not coverage
A certificate summarizes information and generally does not amend the policy. Obtain the required endorsement, verify the named entity and product relationship, and track expiration and cancellation provisions where available.
Contract review
Pay attention to indemnity, defense, additional insured, waiver, primary/noncontributory and limitation-of-liability language. We can help identify insurance implications; legal counsel should interpret and negotiate the contract.
Product liability guidance