Certificate of Insurance (COI)
What is a certificate of insurance?
A certificate of insurance (COI) is a coverage summary issued by your insurer. It’s also known as a certificate of liability insurance or proof of insurance. A COI is typically one page long and includes the policy’s effective date, coverage limits, and more.
Some clients require a certificate of insurance before working with your business. You can request a COI from your insurance company or have one sent directly to them.
What does a certificate of insurance include?
A certificate of insurance contains basic facts about your insurance policy. It names you as the insured and includes your:
- Mailing address
- Insurer’s contact information
- Policy number
- Policy type
- Policy’s effective dates
- Coverage amounts and limits
After receiving your COI, you’ll want to verify this information against your policy documents.
Types of certificates of insurance
You can request a certificate of insurance for any type of commercial coverage. Some common ones your clients might ask for include:
Certificate of liability insurance
A certificate of liability insurance confirms you have coverage for incidents caused by your work and services. You can get COIs for the following types of liability policies:
- General liability: A certificate of general liability insurance proves that you have protection against third-party bodily injury and property damage.
- Professional liability: A professional liability insurance COI outlines your business’s coverage against mistakes related to your advice and services.
- Business owners policy (BOP): A certificate of BOP insurance shows that a business has both liability and property insurance coverages.
Certificate of workers’ compensation insurance
Most states require businesses with employees to have workers’ compensation insurance, which covers medical expenses and a portion of lost wages for work-related injuries and illnesses.
A certificate of workers’ compensation insurance demonstrates that you have coverage and limits that comply with the law.
Certificate of auto liability insurance
A certificate of auto liability insurance proves that you have commercial auto coverage for accidents involving your work vehicles. If you finance your vehicle, the leasing company will probably ask to be added to your policy and COI as an additional insured.
WHAT IS AN ADDITIONAL INSURED?
An additional insured is someone the policyholder extends coverage to by listing them on the insurance policy and certificate of insurance. This endorsement states the coverage type and limits the additional insured is entitled to in the event of a claim.
For example, a general contractor might ask a subcontractor to name them as an additional insured before starting a job. This covers the general contractor if a client sues for the subcontractor’s mistake.
How to get a certificate of insurance
You’ll have to reach out to your insurer to get a certificate of insurance. Luckily, Progressive makes this process easy. You can call us at 1-800-444-4487, or speak with an agent. For certain policies, you can even request a certificate of insurance online.
