Definition
A certificate of insurance is a one-page document from a contractor’s insurer that proves the contractor carries specific coverage, such as general liability and workers’ compensation.
Certificate of Insurance, Explained
Before a contractor can work in most commercial buildings and many condo buildings, building management asks for a COI. It lists the insurance company, policy numbers, coverage limits, and policy dates.
Buildings usually require that they, the property owner, and the management company be named as "additional insured," so the contractor’s policy covers them if something goes wrong on the job. The exact wording they need is spelled out in their contractor requirements.
A COI must match the building’s requirements exactly: the right names, the right limits, the right dates. A wrong entity name is one of the most common reasons a crew gets turned away at the loading dock.
Why It Matters for Your Project
No COI, no access. Getting the building’s requirements early and having the certificate issued before the start date keeps the first day of work from slipping.
What to Watch For
- Ask building management for their sample COI or requirement sheet.
- Check the additional insured names character by character.
- Make sure the policy dates cover the whole project.
- Subcontractors usually need their own COIs too.