A certificate of insurance (COI) is a one-page document that summarizes the key details of an insurance policy. It is issued by an insurance agent or carrier and provided to a third party — typically a client, general contractor, property owner, or government agency — as proof that the named insured has the coverage described.

A standard ACORD 25 certificate (the most common form) shows the insured's name and address, the insurance company, policy numbers, types of coverage, coverage limits, and effective and expiration dates. It also identifies any additional insureds and certificate holders.

It is important to understand what a COI is not: it is not an insurance policy, it does not create coverage, and it does not amend the terms of the underlying policy. A certificate holder has no rights under the policy beyond what the policy itself provides. The certificate is simply a convenient summary for verification purposes.

Virtually any business that works for other businesses or on others' property will be asked for a COI at some point. In Florida, COIs are most commonly required by:

• General contractors requiring COIs from all subcontractors before allowing them on a job site
• Commercial landlords requiring tenants to show proof of GL coverage as a lease condition
• Government agencies and municipalities requiring vendors and contractors to show coverage before awarding contracts
• Property owners requiring contractors to show coverage before beginning work
• Event venues requiring event organizers to show liability coverage
• Licensing boards requiring proof of coverage as part of license applications or renewals

If you need a COI, contact your insurance agent or carrier directly. Most agents can issue a standard certificate within a few hours of a request. For certificates requiring additional insureds or specific language, allow a bit more time — typically one business day.

When requesting a COI, provide your agent with:

• The name and address of the certificate holder (the party requesting the COI)
• Whether the certificate holder needs to be added as an additional insured
• Any specific language required in the description of operations box
• The project name or contract number, if applicable

At Bright Coast Insurance, we prioritize fast certificate turnaround. Most standard certificates are issued same-day, and we can accommodate rush requests for time-sensitive contract situations.

These two terms are often confused, but they have very different meanings:

A certificate holder is simply a party that receives a copy of the certificate. They are notified of the coverage but have no rights under the policy. Being a certificate holder does not mean you are covered by the policy.

An additional insured is a party that is actually added to the policy and receives coverage under it. If you are named as an additional insured on a subcontractor's GL policy, you are protected from claims arising out of that subcontractor's work — even if you are sued directly.

When a GC or property owner asks to be added as an additional insured, they are asking for real coverage protection, not just a piece of paper. This requires an endorsement to the policy, which your agent can process. There may be a small additional premium charge for this endorsement.

When you receive a COI from a subcontractor, don't just file it away — review it carefully. Key things to check:

• Coverage types: Does the certificate show both workers' compensation and general liability? Both are typically required.
• Limits: Are the limits adequate for your contract requirements? A $300,000 GL limit may not be sufficient for a large commercial project.
• Effective dates: Does the coverage extend through the entire period of the subcontractor's work? A certificate that expires mid-project leaves you exposed.
• Your name as additional insured: If your contract requires it, confirm that your company is listed as an additional insured — not just a certificate holder.
• Carrier rating: Check that the carrier is rated A- or better by AM Best. Coverage from a financially weak carrier may not be there when you need it.