Certificate of Insurance
United StatesCertificate of Insurance (COI) — U.S. General Liability
Issued by Insurance Carrier (ACORD)
Valid for 12 months (tied to underlying policy term)
What is Certificate of Insurance?
A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is a one-page summary of a company's insurance policies, typically on the ACORD 25 form. For U.S. construction companies, the COI confirms general liability coverage (usually $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate or higher) and often lists the general contractor or project owner as an "additional insured." Depending on the job, a COI may also need to confirm auto liability, workers' compensation, umbrella, and pollution coverage.
Every subcontractor and vendor working for a U.S. general contractor is asked to submit a COI before being allowed on site. GCs use the COI to confirm the sub is adequately insured and that the GC's project is named as additional insured so a claim against the sub doesn't expose the GC's own balance sheet.
Why Expiration Tracking Matters
COIs are tied to the underlying insurance policy's term — typically 12 months. When a policy renews, the carrier issues an updated COI. A GC's compliance team often auto-blocks subs whose COI has expired by a single day, which means an expired COI can halt a crew at the gate until the broker resends an updated form. This is one of the most common causes of avoidable site delays in U.S. construction.
State & Federal Requirements
Insurance requirements vary by state, by project, and by GC. Typical minimums: $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate general liability; $1M auto; statutory workers' comp; often $5M-$10M umbrella on larger projects. Public-works projects and certain sectors (healthcare, education, government) typically require higher limits and additional endorsements.
Renewal Process
Your insurance broker re-issues the COI each time the underlying policy renews. Ask your broker to send an updated COI to every active GC and project owner automatically on renewal. Keep a running list of who needs the COI so nobody is missed; a missed COI send can knock your crew off site the next morning.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting until a GC flags an expired COI before calling the broker — by then the crew is already on hold
- Not adding new GCs as additional insured at the start of each project — the COI must name them explicitly
- Using generic limits instead of matching the project's specific contract requirements
- Storing the COI as a PDF buried in email — WorkSitePass keeps it accessible and dated
How WorkSitePass Helps You Manage Certificate of Insurance
Upload each COI (ACORD 25) to WorkSitePass tied to its effective and expiration dates. Automated alerts 60, 30, and 7 days before expiry give your broker time to re-issue cleanly, and your GCs always see the current document when they pull your compliance profile.
Issuing Authority
Insurance Carrier (ACORD)
www.acord.org/standards-architectureContact
Your insurance brokerFrequently Asked Questions
A policy is the binding contract between you and the insurance carrier. A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is a one-page summary of that policy's key facts — limits, effective dates, named insureds, carriers. GCs ask for the COI, not the policy itself, for easy verification.
Listing a general contractor or project owner as 'additional insured' extends your subcontractor liability coverage to also protect them from claims arising from your work. Most GCs require this on every sub's COI before allowing access to the site.
Typical U.S. minimums are $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate, but many GCs and public-works projects require higher limits ($5M-$10M umbrella common on larger projects). Always match the contract specifications rather than a generic minimum.
Start 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.