What is a certificate of insurance (COI)?
4 min read · Last updated
A certificate of insurance, often called a COI, is a one-page summary that an insurance agent or insurer issues to show which policies a business held on a stated date. It is evidence of what was reported on that date, not the insurance policy itself, and it does not change the coverage. This guide explains what a COI is and is not, who issues it, what its sections show, why expiry dates matter and what to check when one arrives. General information, not legal or insurance advice; check your contracts and your insurer.
On this page (6 sections)
What is a COI, and what is it not?
A COI is a summary that lists a vendor's policies, the insurers that write them, the policy numbers, the limits and the policy periods. It shows that coverage was reported as in place on the date printed on it.
A COI does not change the policy. The policy and any endorsements attached to it control what is covered, so a certificate cannot add coverage that the policy does not contain.
- It shows what the issuer reported on a stated date.
- It does not extend, add or remove coverage.
- It is not the policy, and it is not an endorsement.
Who issues a certificate of insurance?
An insurance agent or broker usually issues the certificate, using details the insurer has provided. Some insurers issue their own. The issuer's name and contact details appear on the form, so questions can go to a named person.
What is on an ACORD 25 style certificate?
ACORD 25 is a widely used standard layout for a certificate of liability insurance. Other layouts exist, but most show the same core items.
- Producer: the agency that issued the certificate.
- Insured: the vendor that the listed policies cover.
- Insurers affording coverage: each insurer, with a letter used in the coverage table.
- Coverage table: each policy's number, its start and expiration dates, and its limits.
- Certificate holder: the party the certificate was issued to.
- Description box: free text for project names, holder wording and endorsement references.
Why do expiry dates matter?
The expiration date shows when the policy period ends. A policy that ends before the work is finished does not cover the work after that date, and a certificate printed before a renewal does not show the new term. An expired certificate is not evidence of coverage today, so each vendor needs a current one for as long as it works for you.
Record each expiry date in one place and request the renewed certificate before the old one lapses.
What should you check when a certificate arrives?
Check four things first: the named insured, the dates, the limits and the holder. Each should match your contract. If one does not, ask the issuing agent in writing before work starts.
- Named insured: matches the vendor's legal name, including any doing-business-as name.
- Dates: the policy period covers the dates of the work.
- Limits: each amount meets the minimum the contract states.
- Holder: matches the exact company name and address the contract gives.
- Endorsements: any additional insured or waiver wording is checked on the endorsement itself, not only on the certificate.
Questions
Is a certificate of insurance the same as the policy?
No. A certificate is a summary issued on a stated date. The policy is the contract with the insurer, and its endorsements decide what is covered.
Who should I ask about the details on a certificate?
Ask the agent or insurer named on the certificate. Your own insurance broker or an attorney who works on construction contracts can advise on what your contract requires.
Can I rely on a certificate that shows an expired policy?
No. A certificate does not show coverage for any period after the expiration date printed on it. Request the renewed certificate before the vendor continues to work.
Does a certificate change the limits in a policy?
No. A certificate reports limits as the issuer understood them on the date printed. The policy sets the actual limits, so compare the policy or endorsement when a limit matters to the contract.
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