What Is a Certificate of Insurance (COI)? A Guide for Contractors and Small Businesses
A COI is one-page proof that your insurance is active. Here is what it shows, why clients demand it, and how to get one issued the same day.
A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is a one-page document that proves your insurance policy is active. It lists your coverages, limits, and policy dates, and it is what a general contractor, landlord, or client asks for before they let you start work. It is proof of coverage — not the policy itself.
What a COI Shows
- Your insurance company and policy numbers
- The types of coverage you carry (GL, workers’ comp, auto)
- Your coverage limits (for example, $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate)
- The policy effective and expiration dates
- Any additional insureds listed on the policy
What Is an Additional Insured?
An additional insured is a third party — usually the GC, property owner, or client — added to your policy so they are also protected if a claim arises from your work. Most contracts require you to name the hiring party as an additional insured before you can start the job.
Why Clients Demand a COI
A COI protects the person hiring you. If you cause damage or injury on the job, their COI on file confirms your insurance — not theirs — should respond. No COI usually means no work: property managers, general contractors, and cities require it before you set foot on site.
How Fast Can You Get a COI?
Once your policy is bound, a COI with additional insureds can be issued in under an hour. ProRisk issues them same-day so you can start a job tomorrow.