Certificate of Insurance
All ProvincesCommercial General Liability Certificate of Insurance
Issued by Insurance Provider
Valid for 1 year (annual policy renewal)
What is Certificate of Insurance?
A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is a document issued by an insurance company or broker that summarizes a company's insurance coverage. For construction companies, this typically includes Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance, which covers third-party bodily injury, property damage, and related claims. The COI lists policy numbers, coverage limits, effective dates, and named insureds. It serves as proof that a contractor carries adequate insurance to cover potential damages arising from their work.
Virtually every construction company needs a Certificate of Insurance. General contractors, project owners, and property managers require subcontractors to provide COIs before allowing them on site. Many contracts specify minimum coverage amounts (commonly $2 million to $5 million CGL in Canada). Without a valid COI, a contractor cannot bid on most projects, cannot be approved as a subcontractor, and will be denied site access.
Why Expiration Tracking Matters
Insurance policies have annual renewal dates, and a COI is only valid for the policy period it references. An expired COI means the listed coverage may no longer be in effect. If a contractor's insurance lapses and an incident occurs, the company faces catastrophic financial exposure — a single construction liability claim can run into millions of dollars. General contractors who allow uninsured subcontractors on site also face significant legal and financial risk.
The Cost of Non-Compliance
Ontario — OHSA
$2,000,000
Max fine per offence, corporations
$1,500,000
Max fine, directors & officers
$500,000
Max fine, individuals — plus up to 12 months imprisonment
An expired certificate is not a paperwork slip: a worker with lapsed required training (e.g. Working at Heights) is an untrained worker, and letting them work is an offence for both employer and constructor. Since 2025, inspectors can also issue administrative monetary penalties directly, without a prosecution.
Statutory maximums as of 2026 · OHSA Part IX — Offences and Penalties. Regimes and amounts vary by jurisdiction and case; this is general information, not legal advice.
Provincial Requirements & Regulations
While insurance requirements are primarily contractual rather than legislated, provincial construction associations and project specifications set industry standards. In most Canadian provinces, a minimum of $2 million CGL coverage is standard for construction companies. Some large projects or government contracts may require $5 million or higher. Additional coverages like professional liability, pollution liability, or umbrella policies may be required depending on the scope of work and project specifications.
Renewal Process
Insurance policies are typically renewed annually. Your insurance broker will issue updated COIs with new policy periods upon renewal. Companies should request updated certificates at least 30 days before the current policy expires to ensure continuous coverage documentation. When additional insureds need to be added (a common requirement in construction contracts), the broker can issue amended certificates.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not requesting updated COIs from your broker after policy renewal — the old certificate shows expired dates
- Failing to add the general contractor or project owner as an additional insured when required by contract
- Not verifying that coverage limits meet the project's minimum requirements before bidding
- Assuming one COI covers all projects — some contracts require project-specific certificates with specific endorsements
How WorkSitePass Helps You Manage Certificate of Insurance
WorkSitePass stores your Certificates of Insurance digitally and tracks policy expiry dates. Receive automated alerts before your insurance renews so you can request updated COIs from your broker promptly. When a GC requests proof of insurance, share it instantly from your digital wallet.
Issuing Authority
Contact
Your insurance brokerFrequently Asked Questions
A COI is a document from your insurance company that summarizes your coverage — including policy type, limits, effective dates, and named insureds. It serves as proof of insurance for contractors and project owners.
At minimum, most construction companies need Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance, typically with $2-5 million in coverage. Depending on the work, you may also need professional liability, pollution liability, equipment insurance, and auto insurance.
COIs should be updated annually when your policy renews, and whenever coverage changes (new limits, additional insureds, endorsements). Some project owners require certificates at the start of each new project.
An additional insured is a party (typically the general contractor or project owner) added to your policy who receives certain coverage protections. This is a common contractual requirement in construction that protects the hiring party.
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The Compliance Package Request
The compliance package request is a test most subcontractors aren't prepared for — not because they're non-compliant, but because their documents are scattered across five different places.
Read moreField Notes
The Sub-Trade Blind Spot
A general contractor's compliance package covers the subcontractor as a company. The people who actually walk on site are a different question — and most GCs have no real way to answer it.
Read moreStart Tracking Your Certificate of Insurance Certificate Today
Upload your certificate, set the expiry date, and let WorkSitePass handle the rest. Never miss a renewal deadline again.