Glossary
Certificate of Insurance
A certificate of insurance is often requested before a broker, shipper, building manager, or terminal lets a carrier begin work.
Plain-English summary
A COI summarizes selected policy information for a third party. It does not rewrite the policy, create coverage by itself, or prove that every contract requirement has been satisfied.
Where it shows up
COIs commonly appear during broker onboarding, lease review, building access, jobsite entry, port or terminal access, and lender documentation.
What to check before sending
- Certificate holder name and address
- Requested limits
- Additional insured or waiver wording
- Loss payee wording
- Cargo or trailer requirements
Who sees this in certificate requests
- Owner-operators reading a quote
- New authorities preparing documents
- Small fleets reviewing certificates or claims
Why wording matters
- Where the term appears
- How to discuss it with an agent
- Why the definition can affect coverage
Where COI wording gets overread
What the wording does not prove
- A standalone guarantee of coverage
- A substitute for policy wording
- Legal advice about a contract
Certificate request mistakes
- Treating informal shorthand as policy language
- Assuming the same word means the same thing in every policy
Documents to compare
- Policy declarations
- Certificates
- Endorsements
- Contracts or official filing notices when relevant
Questions before issuing wording
- Where is this term defined in the policy?
- Does an endorsement change the meaning?
- Does a regulator or contract use the term differently?
Sources
- Auto Insurance Regulator National Association of Insurance Commissioners — checked 2026-05-19
- Commercial Auto Insurance Educational Insurance Information Institute — checked 2026-05-19
Questions carriers ask
Can a certificate change the policy?
No. Policy forms and endorsements control coverage. A certificate should reflect coverage already supported by the policy.
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