Adding Yourself as Additional Insured on Contractor Insurance

[Brad G.]

I would like to know if others typically add themselves as additional insured on their contractor's general liability insurance.  Is this just a nice to have, or are their specific cases where this is really needed?

As background, I have been trying to do so because the insurance agent I was working with indicated my policy did not cover faulty workmanship, and I would need to be additional insured on contractor's insurance to have coverage.  The agent also indicated that contractor's insurance would not provide me much value in general unless I was an additional insured.  I can see the benefit of being covered under the contractor's insurance, but I was surprised by this faulty workmanship exclusion in my policy and the statement of the limited value to me of the contractor's insurance unless I were an additional insured.  

While I have been trying to add myself as additional insured, some of the contractors I have been working with do not seem to be familiar with the process and requesting it has made things more difficult.  So, I am wondering if it's really needed and seeking input form the BP community on what to do.  I have done some research online, and it seems that many general contractor policies do not cover faulty workmanship, and I would not be covered even as an additional insured in that case.  

I do realize that this detailed question may be policy specific and have to be answered by an insurance agent.  So, if any other Connecticut investors have recommendations for insurance agents, that would be greatly appreciated.