A one-page summary from an insurance carrier showing what coverage a contractor has — used to prove insurance before a job starts.
A Certificate of Insurance, or COI, is a one-page document issued by an insurance broker or carrier that summarizes a contractor's active insurance policies. It lists the carrier, policy number, coverage type, limits, and effective dates — but it is not the insurance policy itself.
General contractors typically require a COI from every subcontractor before they're allowed on site. Homeowners and property managers often ask for one too, especially for bigger jobs. The point is to confirm the contractor (or sub) actually has the coverage they claim to have — usually general liability and workers' comp at minimum.
A COI doesn't change coverage or add anyone as an insured. To get coverage protection, you need to be listed as an Additional Insured on the policy itself, which is a separate step. The COI just shows what's there.
The contractor's insurance broker or carrier — never the contractor themselves. The broker fills out the COI from the active policy details and emails it directly to whoever asked.
No. A COI is just evidence of insurance. It doesn't protect the certificate holder unless they're also named as an Additional Insured on the policy itself.