How to Verify a Certificate of Insurance

A Certificate of Insurance can look simple, but missing details can create serious risk.

Use this checklist to review policy dates, coverage limits, named insured, Certificate Holder, Additional Insured wording, and common warning signs.

COI verification checklist

Before approving a vendor, contractor, tenant, or subcontractor, check:

1. Named Insured
2. Producer or broker
3. Insurance carrier
4. Policy numbers
5. Effective dates
6. Expiration dates
7. General Liability limits
8. Auto Liability limits
9. Workers’ Compensation
10. Umbrella or Excess Liability
11. Certificate Holder
12. Additional Insured language
13. Waiver of Subrogation
14. Description of Operations
15. Authorized representative signature

Common mistakes

Common COI review mistakes include:

• Accepting an expired certificate
• Assuming Certificate Holder means Additional Insured
• Missing Workers’ Compensation
• Ignoring policy limits
• Not matching the vendor legal name
• Not checking project-specific wording
• Failing to request endorsements
• Relying only on a spreadsheet date

When to contact the broker or carrier

Contact the broker or carrier when:

• The certificate looks altered
• Policy dates or limits are unclear
• The vendor name does not match
• Required endorsements are missing
• You need confirmation that coverage is active
• The work is high-risk or contractually sensitive

Faster option

Instead of manually checking every field, upload the certificate to the COI Checker.

You will receive a structured report showing what passes, what fails, and what needs human review.

FAQ

Is a Certificate of Insurance legally binding?

A COI is evidence of insurance, but it is not the insurance policy itself. Contract terms and endorsements may still need review.

How do I know if a COI is valid?

Check the insured name, producer, carrier, policy dates, limits, coverage types, certificate holder, and required endorsements. For confirmation, contact the issuing broker or carrier.

What is the fastest way to check a COI?

Upload the document to a COI checker and review the PASS / FAIL report before doing manual follow-up.

Disclaimer

This tool provides document-level review of Certificates of Insurance. It does not provide legal advice, insurance advice, or guarantee that coverage is active. For high-risk work, suspicious certificates, or unclear endorsements, confirm details with the issuing broker, carrier, or legal counsel.