A one-page document that summarizes an insured's coverage and limits as proof of insurance to a third party.
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
A one-page document that summarizes an insured's coverage and limits as proof of insurance to a third party.
A certificate of insurance (COI) is a snapshot of a policyholder\'s coverage used to prove insurance to someone who requires it — a client, landlord, lender or contractor. The most common liability COI is the ACORD 25.
A COI lists the carrier, policy numbers, coverage types, limits and effective dates, and names a certificate holder who receives it.
- It is informational and generally does not amend the underlying policy.
- Requests are frequent and time-sensitive, which is why agencies use COI-issuance and tracking software to manage renewals and holder lists.
Errors on certificates — wrong limits, missing additional-insured status, lapsed dates — are a recurring source of E&O claims, so accuracy matters.