By Dean Clark, Licensed Insurance Broker
Reviewed by Dean Clark, Licensed Insurance Broker, on July 23, 2026
Originally published July 23, 2026 · Last updated July 23, 2026
What is a certificate of insurance?
A certificate of insurance (COI) is a one-page summary of your active policies — carrier, policy numbers, coverage types, limits, and effective dates — issued as proof of coverage to a third party. It is not a policy and grants no coverage by itself; it verifies that the coverage described exists as of the issue date.
Why do general contractors require a COI before work starts?
Because your uninsured claim becomes their claim. If a subcontractor injures someone or damages property without coverage, the general contractor’s own policy absorbs the loss and their premiums rise. GCs, property managers, and cities therefore require a current certificate — usually with themselves named as additional insured — before anyone sets foot on site.
What does “additional insured” mean on a certificate?
An additional insured endorsement extends parts of your liability coverage to the party requesting it — typically the general contractor or property owner — for claims arising out of your work. Most COI rejections happen here: the certificate arrives without the endorsement or with the wrong wording. Getting the exact required language right the first time is a broker’s job.
How fast can a certificate of insurance be issued?
Same day is the correct standard — at this practice, usually within hours of the request. Slow COIs are a process failure, not a paperwork reality: when your broker controls the certificate issuance directly instead of routing requests through a service center, the turnaround is measured in hours. Dean Clark has kept that standard for over 20 years.
What should I have ready when requesting a COI?
Three things: the certificate holder’s exact legal name and address, any required additional-insured wording from the contract, and where to send it. With those in hand, the request is a single phone call or email. Keep the requirements page of each contract handy — reading the insurance clause takes 2 minutes and prevents nearly every rejection.