A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is a document that summarizes your insurance coverage. It's one of the most commonly requested documents in the skilled trades, since it's how contractors prove they're insured without sharing their full policy.
What is a COI?
A COI is a short summary document — typically one page — that shows:
The type(s) of coverage you hold (e.g., General Liability)
Your coverage limits (per occurrence and aggregate)
Your policy period (start and end dates)
The name of your insurer
Any additional insureds listed on your policy
Your business name and the policy number
It does not include your full policy wording, exclusions, or premium details — it's a snapshot, not the full contract.
What is a COI Used For?
Proving You're Insured
Clients, property owners, and general contractors (GCs) often require proof of insurance before allowing you to start work. A COI is the standard way to provide that proof quickly.
Meeting Contract Requirements
Many construction contracts and subcontractor agreements require a COI to be submitted — sometimes before a bid is accepted, and often again before work begins.
Satisfying Licensing Requirements
Some municipal or provincial licensing bodies require proof of liability insurance to issue or renew a contractor's licence. A COI can serve as that proof.
Confirming Additional Insured Status
If a GC or property owner has asked to be added as an additional insured on your policy, the COI is the document that confirms this has been done — it will list their name under the additional insured section.
Bidding on Projects
Larger commercial projects, government contracts, or property management companies often require a COI as part of the vendor qualification or bidding process — sometimes before a quote or contract is even finalized.
Who Typically Requests a COI?
General contractors
Property owners and property managers
Municipalities (for public projects or licensing)
Clients on larger residential or commercial jobs
Other trades you're subcontracting for