Business Insurance

Certificate of Insurance (COI)

A certificate of insurance (COI) provides third parties — landlords, clients, general contractors — with evidence of a business's insurance without sharing the full policy.

Last reviewed: May 2026 · Editorial methodology

Definition

A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is a standardized summary document, most commonly the ACORD 25 form for liability coverage, that lists a business's active insurance policies, coverage types, limits, policy numbers, and expiration dates. It does not grant any rights to the certificate holder and is not a policy amendment — a common misconception that leads to disputes when a certificate holder believes they are covered but are not. General contractors routinely require subcontractors to provide COIs before starting work, and commercial landlords require them from tenants as a lease prerequisite. Certificate holders listed on a COI typically receive advance notice — usually 30 days — of policy cancellation or non-renewal. An additional insured status listed on a COI must be backed by an actual additional insured endorsement on the policy; the COI alone does not create coverage. Businesses operating in multiple states or with many vendor relationships often pay their agent a small annual fee ($50–$200) for unlimited COI issuance on demand, which streamlines the process of fulfilling contract requirements.

Where this term matters

Business Insurance →/business/general-liability →/business/contractor-insurance →

Tip

Glossary definitions are educational. Always check your own policy language — insurers can define common terms differently from one another. When in doubt, request a written explanation from your agent.

Related terms

Additional InsuredAn additional insured endorsement extends the named insured's liability coverage to protect a third party — typically a client, landlord, or general contractor — from claims related to the named insured's work.Waiver of SubrogationA waiver of subrogation stops an insurer from pursuing the party at fault for a loss, typically required by contract so that business partners are not sued by each other's insurers.Primary and NoncontributoryA primary and noncontributory requirement — common in construction and service contracts — ensures that one party's insurance pays before and independently of the other party's coverage.General Liability InsuranceGeneral liability insurance is the foundational business policy covering lawsuits from customers, vendors, or bystanders injured on your premises or by your operations.
Source: Cover Forge USA editorial team|Last verified: May 2026|Methodology
Definitions are educational and may be simplified. Always refer to your policy contract and consult a licensed agent for terms that affect coverage decisions.
CF

Cover Forge USA Editorial Team

Editorial Lead

This article was researched and written by the Cover Forge USA editorial team against federal sources (NAIC, CMS, FEMA, DOL, SSA, state DOIs) and standard policy forms. Bylines organize content by topic — they do not assert individual licensure. See our editorial-policy for details.

Reviewed June 2026

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