phrase
primary and noncontributory
In plain English
An endorsement that says your policy pays first and the other party's policy doesn't have to chip in.
Most contracts (with a GC, a property manager, a major customer) require this. Without it, when both parties have insurance, the carriers can argue about who pays first — and that delay falls on you.
What it covers
An endorsement modifying the 'other insurance' clause so the named policy responds as primary coverage and waives any right of contribution from other insurance available to the additional insured.
What it does not cover
It is NOT additional insured status by itself. Primary-and-noncontributory is in addition to AI status — separate boxes that both need to be checked.
Where it trips people up
The endorsement is paired with additional insured. A certificate showing both is meaningless without both endorsement form numbers attached. Always insist on seeing both forms.
The technical version
An endorsement that designates the policy as primary insurance with respect to a specified additional insured and waives the insurer's right to seek contribution from any other insurance available to that additional insured.