Certificate of Insurance (COI) Guide for Epoxy Contractors

Every commercial client, general contractor, and property manager will ask for it before your first day on the job: a certificate of insurance. Here's exactly what it is, why it matters, and how to get one fast.

## What Is a Certificate of Insurance?

A certificate of insurance (COI) is a one-page summary document that proves you have active insurance coverage. It's issued by your insurance agent or carrier and shows:

- Your name and business information

- The insurance company and policy number

- Coverage types (GL, workers comp, commercial auto, umbrella)

- Coverage limits (e.g., $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate)

- Policy effective and expiration dates

- Any additional insured parties named on the policy

A COI is NOT a policy — it's proof that a policy exists. The actual coverage terms are in your policy documents.

## Why GCs and Clients Require It

When you work as a subcontractor, the general contractor is potentially liable for your work on their project. If you're uninsured and something goes wrong, the GC's policy gets hit. Requiring a COI is how they verify you have coverage before they let you on site.

Property managers and commercial clients have the same concern: if your crew damages something or someone gets hurt, they need to know you can pay the claim — or that your insurance will.

No COI = no work. Most commercial clients enforce this without exception.

## What's an Additional Insured — and Why Does It Matter?

An additional insured endorsement adds a third party (usually the GC or property owner) to your GL policy. It means they're covered by your insurance if your work causes a claim against them.

This is different from just having a COI. The COI proves you have insurance. The additional insured endorsement gives the GC actual coverage rights under your policy.

Most commercial contracts require both: a COI AND an additional insured endorsement naming the GC and often the property owner.

Other common requirements in commercial contracts:

- **Primary and non-contributory**: Your GL pays first, before the GC's insurance contributes — even if the GC is also named in the claim.

- **Waiver of subrogation**: Your insurance company agrees not to sue the GC to recover money it paid on your behalf.

- **30-day notice of cancellation**: Your carrier must notify the certificate holder 30 days before your policy cancels.

## How to Get a COI Fast

If your policy is already in place, getting a COI is straightforward:

1. Call or email your insurance agent

2. Provide the certificate holder's name and address

3. Specify any additional insured requirements, special language, or endorsements needed

4. Ask for PDF delivery (same day in most cases)

At EpoxyInsurance.com, we issue same-day certificates once your policy is bound. For TechnicAssigned situations requiring project-specific endorsements, allow one business day.

## When Getting a COI Takes Longer

Some situations require extra processing time:

- **Project-specific additional insured endorsements**: These require a formal endorsement added to your policy, not just a certificate notation. Allow 1–2 business days.

- **Blanket vs. named additional insured**: Blanket AI coverage means any party you agree by contract to add is automatically covered. Named AI requires a formal endorsement per party. If your policy has blanket AI, certificates are faster.

- **Limit increases**: If the project requires $3M limits and your policy is $2M, you need to change your policy first — this takes 24–48 hours.

- **Monopolistic state workers' comp**: States like North Dakota, Ohio, Washington, and Wyoming use state-run workers' comp funds. COIs for these policies come directly from the state fund, not your carrier.

## Protect Yourself When Requesting Subs' COIs

Just as GCs require COIs from you, you should require them from any subcontractors you hire. An uninsured sub working under your contract is your liability. Verify:

- Their GL limits are adequate for your project

- Workers' comp is current and active

- Your company is named as additional insured on their GL

- Expiration dates are after the project's expected completion

Keep copies of every sub's COI on file. Your insurance company will ask for them at audit time.

## Ready to Get Your COI?

At EpoxyInsurance.com, we specialize in placing coverage for epoxy and flooring contractors and can issue same-day certificates in most situations. Call 844-967-5247 or get a quote online.