Last Updated on: June 12th, 2026
Reviewed by Kyle Wilson
A client just asked you to send over your COI before they sign. You are a contractor, a vendor or maybe a small business owner and you need to get this right without telling the deal or handing over a document that is actually exposed.
Here is what you need to know, without the insurance jargon.
The certificate of insurance COI is the one page document that is issued by your insurance company or the broker that will confirm that you have active coverage. This document summarizes your policy details including coverage type, policy limits, effective date and who is named on the policy.
It is not the policy itself. It does not provide you the coverage. It is just a proof that the coverage exists. If the underlying policy lapses were never issued correctly then the COI means nothing as a protection instrument even if it looks official.
Clients, landlords, general contractors and even manuals use COI to protect themselves before doing business with you. If a contractor you hired causes $200 in property damage and you never requested their CUI then the bill can land on you. This exact LUSCOI request is designed to prevent both sides from transacting.
Certificate of liability insurance is the most common type of COI and this is one that most clients and project managers are asking for when they say send us your COI.
It specifically confirms that you carry liability coverage, which pays for third-party bodily injury, property damage or the cost of business is found responsible. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, the liability insurance is one of the most important protections for any business that is working with the clients or on third-party property.
Other types of COIs cover different coverage lines. Here is how the most common forms break down:
| COI Type | ACORD Form | What It Proves |
| Certificate of Liability Insurance | ACORD 25 | General liability, commercial auto, workers comp, umbrella |
| Evidence of Property Insurance | ACORD 28 | Commercial property coverage |
| Workers Compensation COI | State-specific | Employer workers comp compliance |
| Contractor COI | ACORD 25 (with endorsements) | Liability plus any additional insured requirements |
Nearly all the COI in the United States use the ACORD 25 form that is published by the association for corporate operations research and development. The ACORD 25 resistant one certificate that would include the producer information, the coverage type such as general liability, commercial auto and worker compensation, policy numbers and effective dates. It also mentioned the limit, certificate holder details and the description of the operations.
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Most people scan a COI without knowing what to check. These are the fields that determine whether the document protects you or just creates a false sense of security.
This must exactly match the legal entity name of the company doing work for you. “ABC Corp” and “ABC Corporation” are legally different names. A mismatch can create coverage disputes during a claim.
An expired COI proves nothing. Many contractors reuse old certificates without checking whether the underlying policy was renewed. Always verify the dates match the period of your contract or project.
Check that the limits meet your contract requirements. Many commercial leases and project contracts specify a minimum of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate for general liability. If the COI shows lower limits, the vendor is not in compliance.
This field identifies who is receiving the COI. Your legal entity name should appear here, spelled correctly.
If your contract requires it, confirm that your organization is listed as an additional insured, not just as the certificate holder. These are different designations with different legal protections.
The requirement for a COI varies by industry and situation, but these are the most common scenarios where one is mandatory:
The project managers and the general contractor legally required proof of general liability and the workers compensation coverage before any work on the job site. For contractors, our workers comp certificate of insurance is often a legal requirement in addition to liability, since most of the states mandate workers compensation for the business with employees.
Food vendors, event suppliers, and service providers often need a COI before they can operate at a venue or sign a vendor agreement. A COI gives a certificate holder instant credibility and ensures event planners and venue management companies that if something goes wrong, the vendor can cover a claim and they will not be left with the bill.
Commercial leases almost always require tenants to maintain liability coverage. A landlord or property manager will typically ask for a COI naming them as an additional insured before handing over keys.
The COI itself is free. There is no charge to generate or issue a certificate of insurance. What costs money is the underlying insurance policy the COI represents.
The general liability insurance can cost on average $45 per month for the small business owner, according to the Insureom customer data. For the businesses that need a business owner policy which bundles generally liability and commercial property cover, The Hartford reports an average monthly cost of $141 for their BOP customers. Workers compensation costs vary by state, payroll, and industry classification.
The factors that affect your premium include your industry and risk category, annual revenue, number of employees, claims history, and the coverage limits you select. A low-risk office-based consultant pays far less than a roofing contractor for the same limits.
Getting a COI is straightforward once you have an active policy. Here is exactly how it works:
If you do not have business insurance yet, get general liability coverage first. Most small businesses can complete an application online and receive quotes in minutes.
You cannot issue your own COI. The request goes to your insurance agent or broker, who generates the ACORD 25 certificate of insurance form from your active policy data. Most agents issue standard COIs within 24 to 48 business hours. Larger brokerages often have dedicated certificate issuance teams that turn COIs around in hours.
Tell your agent the exact legal name and address of the party requesting the COI. If they need to be listed as an additional insured, specify that when you make the request.
Check the effective dates, limits, named insured, and certificate holder before forwarding to your client. Sending an inaccurate COI creates problems that are harder to fix after a contract is signed.
Every time your policy renews, request an updated COI. Clients tracking compliance will flag an expired certificate, which can pause your work or void a contract.
If reading through this has made you realize your own coverage has gaps, or that you have never thought carefully about what documentation your family or business would need after you are gone, that is a worthwhile thing to address.
Burial Senior Insurance specializes in helping seniors and their families understand what coverage they have, what they still need, and how to make sure the right documents are in place before they are urgently needed. A short conversation about your situation does not cost anything, and it answers the questions most people only think of when it is too late.
A certificate of insurance (COI) is a document that proves a person or business has active insurance coverage.
In most cases, a COI is free and can be requested from your insurance company or agent.
You can request a COI from your insurance provider, insurance agent, or through your insurer's online account portal.
People request a COI to verify that you have insurance coverage before doing business, signing a contract, renting property, or starting a project.
Senior Writer & Licensed Life Insurance Agent
Jazmine Cooke is a dynamic and insightful senior writer with a passion for life insurance and financial planning. With over 8 years of hands-on experience in the insurance industry, Jazmine Cooke has earned a reputation for delivering clear, actionable advice that empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their financial future. At Burial Senior Insurance, she not only excels as a licensed insurance agent but also as a trusted guide who has successfully advised over +1500 clients, helping them navigate the often complex world of life insurance and annuities. Her articles have been featured in top-tier financial publications, making her a respected voice in the industry.
Burial Senior Insurance provides information and services related to burial insurance for senior citizens, including policy options and end-of-life support services.
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