If a client, general contractor, or landlord has asked you for a "COI" and you weren't sure exactly what that meant, you're not alone — it's one of the most common practical questions that comes up once you have coverage.
A certificate of insurance is a short summary document — not your full policy — that confirms coverage is currently in force, along with the types and limits carried. It's proof that you're covered, without handing over your entire policy.
Clients, general contractors, landlords, and municipalities commonly require proof of coverage before letting you start work, sign a lease, or submit a bid. It's a routine risk-management step on their end, not a sign anything is wrong.
A COI usually lists the coverage types you carry, the limits for each, the policy period, and the party requesting it (the "certificate holder"). It's a snapshot, generated to be shared, not the underlying contract.
Once your policy is active, your agent or insurer can typically issue a COI quickly, often the same day, and there's usually no cost for it. You'll just need to tell them who's requesting it and any specific wording they need included.
Being added as an "additional insured" on someone else's policy — or adding someone else to yours — is a separate, more involved request than just issuing a COI. If a contract asks for both, it's worth understanding that they're not the same thing before you agree to terms.
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