Certificate of Insurance (COI): What It Is & How to Get One
A certificate of insurance — usually an ACORD 25 form — is a one-page proof that your business carries coverage. Here's what it shows, who needs one, and how to request yours in minutes.
The industry-standard COI form.
Summarizes — does not change — coverage.
Brokers can email a COI same day.
What is a COI?
A certificate of insurance (COI) is a standardized document that summarizes the insurance policies a business carries. The most common version is the ACORD 25, used across the U.S. insurance industry. A COI lists policy numbers, carriers, effective dates, coverage types, and limits — and names a "certificate holder" who receives it as proof of coverage.
A COI is not the policy. It does not grant rights, change terms, or extend coverage. It is a snapshot of what is in force on the date it is issued.
What a COI shows
- Named insured (the business that carries the coverage)
- Insurance carrier(s) and policy numbers
- Coverage types: General Liability, Auto, Workers' Comp, Umbrella, Professional, etc.
- Policy effective and expiration dates
- Per-occurrence and aggregate limits
- Certificate holder (the party receiving the proof)
- Additional insureds, waivers of subrogation, or primary/non-contributory wording when endorsed
Who needs a certificate of insurance?
Almost every business is asked for a COI at some point. Common requests come from:
- Commercial landlords before lease signing
- General contractors before a subcontractor steps onsite
- Enterprise clients during vendor onboarding
- Event venues, festivals, and city permit offices
- Lenders and franchisors as a condition of the agreement
Additional insured vs. certificate holder
These are often confused. A certificate holder simply receives a copy of the COI. An additional insured is added to the policy by endorsement and gains actual coverage for claims arising from the named insured's work. If a contract requires "additional insured" status, the COI alone is not enough — the policy must be endorsed.
How to request a COI
- Send your broker the certificate holder's name, address, and any specific contract wording.
- Note required endorsements (additional insured, waiver of subrogation, primary/non-contributory).
- Confirm the limits and coverage types the contract requires.
- Your broker issues the ACORD 25 and emails it to the certificate holder — typically same day.
FAQ
Certificate of Insurance.
There is usually no extra cost — it's included with an active policy. Endorsements (like adding an additional insured) may carry a small premium change depending on the carrier.
Until the policy expiration date shown on the form. A new COI is issued each policy term.
No. Only the licensed agent or broker of record can issue an ACORD 25 on behalf of the insurance carrier.