A certificate of insurance (COI) is the document that proves your business carries the insurance coverage a client, general contractor, or property owner requires. If you cannot produce a COI, you often cannot start work. This guide explains what a COI is, what it includes, and how to get one issued quickly.
What Is a Certificate of Insurance?
A certificate of insurance is a standardized one-page document (the ACORD 25 form) that summarizes your active insurance policies. It is not the policy itself — it is evidence that coverage exists.
A standard COI includes:
- Named insured — your business name as it appears on the policy
- Policy types and numbers — general liability, workers comp, commercial auto, etc.
- Coverage limits — per occurrence and aggregate limits
- Policy effective and expiration dates
- Insurance carrier name and NAIC number
- Additional insureds — parties you have added to the policy
- Description of operations — special endorsements or notes
Why a COI Matters
Most contracts — especially in construction — require proof of insurance before work begins. Without a valid COI, you risk:
- Being locked off the job site
- Delayed payment until coverage is verified
- Contract breaches that void your agreement
- Lost opportunities when you cannot produce a COI on demand
General contractors, property owners, property managers, and government agencies all routinely require COIs as a condition of doing business.
What to Check on a COI Before Submitting It
Before you send a COI to a client, verify:
1. Your business name is spelled correctly — mismatches can cause rejection
2. Coverage limits meet the contract requirement — under-limits COIs get bounced back
3. The additional insured is listed correctly — exact legal name as in the contract
4. Policy dates are current — expired policies invalidate the COI
5. Waiver of subrogation is included if the contract requires it
6. Primary and non-contributory endorsement is noted if required
A rejected COI means a delay. Getting it right the first time keeps your project on schedule.
Common COI Requirements from General Contractors
Most general contractors require subcontractors to provide:
- General liability limits of $1M/$2M or higher
- Workers compensation with statutory limits
- Commercial auto with at least $1M combined single limit
- Additional insured endorsement (CG 20 10 / CG 20 37 or equivalent)
- Waiver of subrogation in favor of the GC
- Primary and non-contributory language
- 30-day notice of cancellation to the certificate holder
If your current policy does not include these endorsements, your COI may not satisfy the contract — even if the limits are adequate.
How to Get a COI Issued Fast
If you are an existing Capital & Co client, you can request a COI and we typically process it within 24 business hours. To get the fastest turnaround:
1. Submit your request online at our COI request page
2. Provide the certificate holder's exact legal name and address
3. Attach the contract's insurance requirements page so we can match every endorsement
4. Specify any additional insureds and required endorsements in your request
5. Submit during business hours for same-day processing
What If You Are Not Yet a Client?
If you do not yet have commercial insurance, you need to secure a policy before a COI can be issued. The process is:
1. Request a quote — we shop 50+ carriers for your trade
2. Bind coverage — select the best program and activate the policy
3. Request your COI — once bound, we can issue your COI immediately
Work With Capital & Co
Capital & Co Insurance Services handles COI requests for active clients within 24 business hours. Existing clients can submit a request online. If you are not yet insured, request a quote first and we can get you covered and cert-ready fast.
Questions About Your Coverage?
Speak with Capital & Co about a strategy built for your business.
