The request to be added to a General Liability policy as an additional insured is very common and in many cases the policy will provide a Blanket Additional Insured endorsement.
It is very important to understand the Blanket Additional Insured endorsement since with most endorsements a contract or written agreement is required for coverage with the party requiring to be an additional insured.
In many cases a job is being done for a homeowner and the association is requiring to be named as an additional insured so that a contractor can gain access to the community. In this case, the contract is with the homeowner and not the association, therefore the blanket additional insured would not apply to the association.
The association can be added as an additional insured, but at a cost to the contractor.
There is a way around this whereby in the contract with the homeowner it is stated that the association will be included as an additional insured if required. Now the requirement for the association is in a written contract and the Blanket Additional Insured endorsement will apply.
Please consult with your insurance professional to be sure you are properly covered and protected.