What is a certificate of liability insurance used for? A certificate of liability insurance (COI), also known as a certificate of insurance or proof of insurance, is a document that provides proof of insurance coverage for your business and summarizes key information about a business’s liability insurance coverage. It serves as official proof that the business has a valid, active insurance policy in place to protect against claims for bodily injury, property damage, or negligence.
- Verifying Insurance Coverage: A certificate of liability insurance is often requested by clients, landlords, or business partners to ensure that the business they are working with is adequately insured.
- Meeting Contractual Obligations: Many contracts and agreements include clauses requiring businesses to maintain specified types and limits of insurance. A certificate of liability insurance helps demonstrate compliance with these requirements.
- Risk Mitigation: By requesting and verifying COIs from contractors and vendors, businesses can reduce their own liability exposure by ensuring that the third party’s insurance will cover potential losses stemming from their work.
- Applying for Professional Licenses: Some professions, like real estate agents and contractors, are legally required to carry general liability insurance, and a certificate of liability insurance can serve as proof when applying for the necessary licenses.
- Securing Commercial Leases: Landlords often require tenants to provide a COI, demonstrating that the business has liability coverage in case of accidents or damages on the leased property.
What information is included in a certificate of liability insurance?
- Insured’s Name and Address
- Name and Contact Information of the Insurance Company
- Policy Number
- Policy Effective and Expiration Dates
- Types of Coverage (e.g., General Liability, Professional Liability, Workers’ Compensation)
- Policy Limits
- Deductibles (if applicable)
- Description of Operations (if relevant to specific projects or locations)
- Certificate Holder’s Name and Address (the party requesting the COI)
- Indication of whether the Certificate Holder is an “Additional Insured” on the policy
- Any endorsements, such as waivers of subrogation or primary and noncontributory clauses.
How to get a certificate of liability insurance
- Purchase a Liability Insurance Policy: You must have an active liability insurance policy to get a COI. Compare quotes from top-rated insurance companies. Complete online quote or call us.
- Request from Your Insurer or Agent: Your insurance company or agent will issue you a COI once you have a policy. You can often download a copy online through their customer portal or request one directly from your agent.
- Provide Necessary Information: To get a certificate of liability insurance for a specific client or job, you may need to provide their name, address, and potentially their tax ID number.
Important considerations for certificate of liability insurance
- COIs are typically one page long and often based on the standardized ACORD 25 form used in the insurance industry.
- It’s crucial to verify the accuracy of the information on any certificate of liability insurance you receive, including the dates, coverage limits, and insured parties.
- Adding a client or partner as an “additional insured” on your policy is a common practice, particularly for services where a mutual risk exists. This extends coverage to the additional insured if they are sued as a result of your work.
- There is no cost for a certificate of liability insurance itself, as it’s simply proof of an existing policy. However, the cost of the underlying insurance policy will depend on various factors.
Don’t Just Accept a COI—Verify It: What Every Business Should Know About Certificates of Insurance
Certificates of Insurance (COIs) are informational summaries—not legally binding contracts. They often do not guarantee that the coverage described actually exists, which can expose you to risks such as fraud, expired policies, or missing endorsements. To protect yourself, always request the actual policy endorsements, confirm coverage directly with the insurer, and remember that a COI typically does not grant legal rights.
A Certificate of Insurance (COI) also does not necessarily mean you are actually covered under the policy, regardless of what it appears to show. In New York, for example, courts generally treat a COI as evidence of an insurer’s intent to provide coverage, not as definitive proof that coverage exists.
This is particularly important when the COI includes standard disclaimer language such as:
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“This certificate is issued as a matter of information only and confers no rights upon the certificate holder.”
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“This certificate does not amend, extend, or alter the coverage afforded by the policies below.”
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“If the certificate holder is an additional insured, the policies must be endorsed. A statement on this certificate does not confer rights to the certificate holder in lieu of such endorsements.”
These statements are common on COIs and should be treated as clear warnings. They reinforce that the certificate itself does not create coverage. To confirm that you are actually protected, you should review the underlying policy and verify that you are properly named as an insured or additional insured through the required policy endorsements, consistent with your contractual requirements.
Key Risks and Verification Steps
COI Limitations
A COI does not modify, extend, or change the terms of the underlying insurance policy. It reflects coverage only as reported at a specific point in time and may be outdated or inaccurate.
Fraudulent Certificates
Subcontractors or vendors may provide altered or fabricated COIs. Always verify the document’s authenticity by contacting the insurance agent or carrier listed on the certificate.
Missing Endorsements
A COI may indicate that you are listed as an “additional insured,” but this status is not valid unless the policy includes the appropriate endorsement confirming it.
Verification Tactics
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Request copies of the specific endorsement forms (such as CG 20 10).
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Review the certificate for standard disclaimers stating that it “confers no rights.”
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Use digital compliance or certificate-tracking tools to help confirm and monitor coverage.
Even if a certificate of liability insurance contains incorrect or misleading information, coverage may still be denied if the actual policy does not provide it. The guiding principle is simple: don’t trust—verify. Relying on a COI that conflicts with the policy can lead to uncovered claims.