Most of these show up the week before opening, when there’s no time left to fix them. Catching them early is the whole point of this list.
1. Applying too late for a landlord’s deadline
A certificate of insurance can’t exist before a policy does. If a landlord wants proof two weeks before move-in, apply at least three weeks out, not two days out.
2. Guessing on gross sales instead of estimating it properly
Rounding sales down to try to lower a quote can create a mismatch down the line — see what counts as gross sales for exactly what belongs in that number.
3. Not disclosing a bounce house or petting zoo
These attractions change how an application gets underwritten. Leaving them off doesn’t make the risk disappear — it just means the policy wasn’t written with them in mind.
4. Assuming a third-party vendor’s insurance covers you
A rented inflatable or a petting zoo company may carry its own policy, but confirm in writing that it names your business as a certificate holder and additional insured — don’t assume it.
5. Picking the wrong term length
A 3-month term that doesn’t account for setup and teardown weeks can leave the business uncovered during exactly the period trucks and crews are on-site the most.
6. Forgetting the landlord’s exact limit requirement
Some leases call for $2,000,000 per occurrence instead of the standard $1,000,000. Applying for the standard limit when the lease says otherwise means a second application, and a delay, later.
7. Not keeping a copy of the certificate on-site
If a landlord, inspector, or visiting property manager asks for proof of coverage during operating hours, you want it accessible on the lot — printed or saved on a phone — not sitting in an inbox at home.