A certificate of insurance (COI) is the one-page proof of your coverage that general contractors, project owners, and municipalities require before you can start work. For contractors, the request usually includes specific limits (often 1 million / 2 million, sometimes 2 million / 4 million), plus additional insured, primary and noncontributory, and a waiver of subrogation — and often proof of workers compensation. Getting the endorsements right, not just the certificate, is what actually satisfies the requirement.
Contractors are asked for a COI constantly, and a wrong or incomplete certificate is a common reason a sub loses a job at the last minute. This guide covers who asks, what a contractor COI usually has to show, and how to get one fast. For the certificate itself in general, see certificate of insurance. It is general education, not advice for your specific policy.
Who asks a contractor for a COI
- General contractors — require subs to provide a COI (and additional-insured status) before they start.
- Project owners — require the GC and often key subs to be insured.
- Municipalities and permit offices — may require proof of insurance to pull permits.
- Property managers and landlords — for work on their buildings.
What a contractor COI usually has to show
- General liability limits — commonly 1 million per occurrence / 2 million aggregate; larger projects often require 2 million / 4 million. See how much do I need?
- Additional insured — the GC or owner listed as additional insured on your policy, not just as certificate holder. See additional insured vs certificate holder.
- Primary and noncontributory and a waiver of subrogation — commonly required together with additional-insured status.
- Workers compensation — proof of coverage for your employees. See do I need workers comp?
- Commercial auto — for your trucks, on larger jobs.
- Umbrella — when the required limit exceeds your primary policy.
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How to get a contractor COI fast
- Get the exact requirements in writing — the contract's insurance section lists the limits and endorsements. Send it to your agent.
- Ask for the endorsements, not just a certificate — additional insured, primary and noncontributory, and waiver of subrogation are added to the policy; the COI only documents them.
- Confirm the certificate holder and additional insured names — spelled and entered exactly as the GC requires.
- Request the COI from your agent or carrier portal — most can issue it the same day once the policy has the endorsements.
- Keep a current COI on file — you will be asked again at renewal and for each new job.
Common mistakes that lose the job
- Listing the GC only as certificate holder when they required additional insured.
- Missing the primary-and-noncontributory or waiver-of-subrogation wording.
- Limits below what the contract requires.
- An expired COI, or the wrong legal entity as named insured.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do contractors need a certificate of insurance?
General contractors, project owners, and municipalities require a COI as proof you carry coverage before you start work. On most sites, no COI means no work.
What do general contractors require on a COI?
Usually specific general liability limits (often 1M/2M, sometimes 2M/4M), additional-insured status for the GC or owner, primary and noncontributory wording, a waiver of subrogation, and proof of workers compensation — commercial auto and umbrella on larger jobs.
Is being a certificate holder the same as additional insured?
No. A certificate holder just receives the COI; an additional insured is added to your policy so your coverage protects them. GCs almost always require additional-insured status, so listing them only as certificate holder does not satisfy the requirement.
How fast can I get a COI?
Often the same day once your policy has the required endorsements. Send your agent the contract's insurance requirements so the certificate and endorsements match exactly.
What limits do contractors usually need?
1 million per occurrence / 2 million aggregate is the common baseline; larger projects frequently require 2 million / 4 million and an umbrella to reach it. The contract states the exact requirement.
What mistakes cause a contractor to lose the job over a COI?
Listing the GC only as certificate holder instead of additional insured, missing primary-and-noncontributory or waiver-of-subrogation wording, limits below the requirement, an expired certificate, or the wrong legal entity as the named insured.
Quick glossary
- Certificate of insurance (COI)
- The one-page proof of your coverage that GCs and owners require before you work.
- Additional insured
- A party added to your policy so your coverage also protects them — what most GCs actually require.
- Primary and noncontributory
- Your policy pays first and does not require the other party's insurer to contribute.
- Waiver of subrogation
- Your insurer gives up its right to recover a payout from the named party.