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Certificate of insurance for small businesses
A certificate of insurance (COI) is a document that provides proof of insurance coverage for your small business. While a COI often proves liability insurance, it can verify any type of business insurance. To get a COI, you must first buy a business insurance policy. After the policy has been issued, most certificates of insurance are available online.
How to get a certificate of insurance
View video transcript.
Hey there! Yeah, up here in the corner. Good news: You've purchased your policy to protect your business! But that's only the beginning...
A licensed expert will email you a Certificate of Insurance the day you buy a policy. I'd do it, but, you know, I'm an animated talking head.
The certificate means peace of mind. And you can access it on the Insureon online customer portal where you can review policy info and all of your insurance documentation.
Need additional assistance? Or want to make changes? Yeah, no problem! Call toll free, or reach out to a dedicated account manager with questions about billing and claims.
We're with you now, and as you grow. Behind the scenes, but there when you need us. Insureon. Protection is peace of mind.
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How to buy coverage and get a certificate of insurance (COI) for your business with Insureon
Complete a free online application
As a leading online marketplace for small business insurance, Insureon makes getting a COI fast and easy. Start by completing our free online application, which only takes a few minutes. You’ll answer a few questions about your business and instantly receive quotes from top-rated U.S. insurance companies.
Compare quotes and choose your coverage
Carefully compare your quotes and choose a policy that offers sufficient protection for your business and fulfills any requirements outlined in a commercial lease or client contract.
You can choose from many different types of business insurance to protect against specific risks. For example, general liability insurance provides financial protection against accidents involving customers or property damage, while professional liability insurance (E&O) pays for legal defense costs if a client sues over professional negligence or a mistake.
At this point, you can chat with a licensed Insureon agent to make sure you have the right coverage for your small business.
Pay for your policy and download your certificate
Once you choose a policy, you can pay upfront or sign up for a payment plan. After the policy is issued, you can download your certificate of insurance. This document proves that you are insured and includes important details about your policy, such as:
- Insurance provider
- Type of coverage
- Policy number
- Policy limits
- Any additional insureds (a client or partner may request this)
- The policy’s expiration date and effective date
You can view a sample certificate here [PDF].
Need a certificate of insurance for your business?
How much does a certificate of insurance cost?
A certificate of insurance (COI) is free. Much like a receipt, this document is proof that the policyholder purchased and paid for an active insurance policy.
The cost of the underlying policy depends on the type of insurance, your chosen policy limits, and business factors like your revenue and number of employees. The first policy most small business owners need is general liability insurance, which costs on average $42 per month for Insureon customers.
Read our small business insurance cost analysis for details about insurance costs.
When do you need a certificate of insurance?
You may need a certificate of insurance when you are looking to:
Sign a client contract
Clients often require a COI as part of their contract terms. It shows clients you have an effective risk management plan in the event of a lawsuit, which may give them financial protection against losses and damages.
Example: A computer repair business has a long-term contract with a local company. If a technician accidentally drops a client’s laptop during a repair, the computer repair company’s general liability policy covers the cost of replacing the broken laptop.
Work as a contractor
Businesses that hire contractors and subcontractors want reassurance that they won't be held responsible for a mistake made by someone working for them. If the contractor has liability insurance, any financial losses or damages that occur as a result of the work are typically covered by the contractor's policy – without involving the business that hired them.
Example: A construction company hires a contractor to install windows in an office. The completed windows don’t match the specifications outlined in the contract, resulting in thousands of dollars of overages. If the construction company required the contractor to obtain liability coverage, the cost of replacing the windows would be covered.
Sign a commercial lease
A certificate of liability insurance is almost always required to sign a lease for a new office, storefront, or other commercial space.
Example: Your accounting firm recently purchased commercial general liability insurance to fulfill the terms of its new commercial lease. A client trips on your new office’s front steps and sues to recoup medical bills from their bodily injury. This type of insurance policy protects you and your landlord from the costs of the lawsuit.
Attract new clients
Establishing a strong business reputation is hard work, especially when you’re just starting out. Having liability insurance shows potential clients that your business is dependable and can withstand common accidents and lawsuits.
Example: An accountant who is new to the industry offers tax preparation services to a potential client. Because the accountant has professional liability insurance, the client knows that losses will be paid for up to the coverage limits if a mistake is made. The accountant gets the contract, even though his reputation is not established.
How long does it take to get a COI?
Some companies can take days or even weeks to mail a certificate of insurance. That waiting period is a major problem for small businesses or contractors who needs immediate proof of insurance coverage to sign a contract or lease.
As a leading online business insurance agency, Insureon speeds up the process. Most businesses receive their ACORD certificate of insurance within a couple of hours of starting a quote. Businesses in higher risk industries that are more difficult to insure can usually get their certificate within 48 hours.
Need a certificate of insurance for your business?
Business liability insurance does not cover:
Damage to your business property
A liability insurance policy will only pay to repair or replace a third party's property, not your own business property. For that, you need commercial property insurance, which covers your business equipment, inventory, or building if it is damaged, lost, or stolen. Small business owners can often combine this coverage with general liability insurance in a business owner's policy (BOP) for a discount.
Example: A frozen pipe bursts at a real estate agent’s office. Several computers are destroyed, and water damage has ruined the floor. Commercial property insurance helps cover the cost of replacing the destroyed computers and installing a new floor.
Forced closure
Liability insurance doesn’t cover losses if your business must temporarily close due to events like storms or fires. For that, you’ll need business interruption insurance, which can pay for day-to-day operating expenses, lost revenue, and other costs. It’s often included in commercial property insurance.
Example: A fire destroys the kitchen at your restaurant. Business interruption insurance pays your employees’ wages, rent on the building, and your lost income until you are able to reopen.
Find business insurance requirements in your state
Select your state to learn about insurance requirements for your small business.
Common questions about certificates of insurance
Review answers to frequently asked questions about certificates of insurance.
How do I read a certificate of insurance?
Most insurance companies use the same standard ACORD forms for certificates of insurance. If you can read one, you can read them all.
Check out our guide on how to read a certificate of insurance form for help on understanding each section. We also have a glossary of terms used in business insurance that may help you.
If you still have questions, feel free to ask an Insureon agent.
Do I need more than one certificate of insurance?
You will typically receive a single certificate of insurance that proves multiple coverages, if all those policies are issued by the same broker or agency. The standard ACORD 25 Certificate of Liability Insurance form can list several types of liability-related coverage, such as:
- General liability
- Workers' compensation and employer's liability
- Errors and omissions (E&O) / professional liability
- Cyber liability
- Commercial umbrella or excess liability
- Commercial auto liability
For commercial property insurance you will receive an ACORD 28 Evidence of Commercial Property Insurance, which is another standard COI form designed specifically for this coverage.
If your policies are purchased through different agencies or carriers, you may need a separate COI from each provider. In any case, you will always need to present all the required COIs (one or more) to fulfill a client or landlord's requirements.
When does a certificate of insurance need to be updated?
A certificate of insurance outlines important details about your insurance coverage. If those details change, such as policy limits or endorsements, you will need to get an updated certificate. That's especially true if you need to present a COI to a client or landlord to prove you have sufficient coverage.
What if my certificate of insurance fails to meet contract requirements?
If you don't have sufficient coverage for a contract or lease, you'll need increase your policy limits with your insurer. Once your coverage has been updated, ask your insurance company to reissue the certificate to proof of the adequate coverage.
Can I get a digital certificate of insurance?
Yes. Insureon offers digital certificates through the online Customer Portal, in My Profile. A digital certificate offers the same proof of insurance as a physical copy.
If you have any issues downloading a certificate, simply contact us to receive it via email.
Updated: October 20, 2025
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