What Is a Certificate of Insurance?
A certificate of insurance (COI) — officially the ACORD 25 form — is a one-page document that summarizes key coverage information from your insurance policies. It shows the types of coverage you carry, policy numbers, coverage limits, policy dates, and named insured parties.
A COI is not a policy. It does not grant coverage, create, alter, or extend any insurance policy. It is proof that a specific policy existed on the date of issuance — nothing more. Many contractors, GCs, and property managers confuse the certificate with actual coverage.
Additional Insured Requirements: What They Mean
When a GC or property owner requires you to add them as an additional insured (AI) on your GL policy, they are asking for protection under your policy — not just proof you have one. A properly added AI means that if a claim arises from your work, the GC or property owner has a direct claim against your GL policy for defense and damages. This is not just checking a box — it has real coverage implications for your policy and your limits.
Additional Insured (AI): Named party receives coverage under your policy · Waiver of Subrogation (WOS): Your carrier waives the right to sue the named party after paying a claim · Primary & Non-Contributory (PNC): Your coverage pays first before the AI own policy · 30-Day Notice of Cancellation: Your carrier must notify the certificate holder 30 days before canceling
How Fast Can You Get a COI? Same Day — Minutes
At NY Insurance Consultant, we process certificates of insurance the same day — in most cases within minutes. Here is what we need:
- The certificate holder name and full address — exactly as they want it to appear on the certificate
- Any special wording required — additional insured, waiver of subrogation, primary and non-contributory, specific project address
- Your preferred delivery method — email is fastest; we can also fax or mail
Text or email us the details and we send the certificate. No second call. No waiting for a callback. This is one of the most consistent pieces of feedback we get from contractor clients across Nassau County and Long Island.
Common COI Errors That Cost Contractors Jobs
- Wrong certificate holder name or address. A typo means the certificate may be rejected. Always double-check names before sending.
- Expired policy dates. If your policy expired and you forgot to renew, your broker cannot issue a current COI. Stay current on renewals.
- Missing endorsements. Requesting additional insured status on the certificate does not automatically add the endorsement to the policy. The endorsement must be on the policy before the AI status is valid.
- Wrong limits. Some projects require specific limits. If your policy has lower limits, the certificate will not satisfy the requirement.
- Missing workers comp certificate. Many COI requests require both a GL certificate and a separate WC certificate. Request both if needed.