A certificate of insurance is a proof paper
A certificate of insurance (COI) is a short paper that shows you have workers' compensation insurance. If someone asks you to prove you are covered, you give them this paper. It is not the full policy. It just shows some important facts about your coverage.
The name of the business is on the paper
The first thing on the COI is the name of your business. This is called the named insured. It tells the person asking who the insurance is for. For example, it might say "Smith Tile Works" or "Jane’s Tile Services".
The name of the insurance company is there too
The COI also shows the name of the insurance company that sold you the policy. This is called the carrier. It helps the person asking know who to talk to if they need more information.
Your policy number is listed clearly
Each insurance policy has a unique number. The COI shows this policy number so the person asking can look up your policy if needed. It looks like a long string of letters and numbers, like "WC-123456789".
The dates the policy is active are shown
The COI tells you when your policy starts and ends. These are called the effective dates. For example, it might say your policy starts on June 1 and ends on June 1 of the next year. This shows how long your coverage is good for.
The insurance limits are written down
Workers' compensation pays for work-related injuries. The COI shows the coverage limits, which are the most the insurance will pay. This helps the person asking know how much your insurance can cover if someone gets hurt.
The person who asked for the paper is listed
The COI also has a line for the certificate holder. This is the name of the person or company that asked for the certificate. It might be a client, a building owner, or a city inspector who needs proof of your insurance.
The COI does not show everything
The certificate does not show the full policy terms, conditions, or exclusions. It only shows the basics. If someone needs to know more, they need to look at the full policy. The COI is like a quick summary, not the whole story.
The owner is not covered by default
By default, a workers' compensation policy does not cover the owner of the business. It only covers employees. If you want to be covered yourself, you must make an owner inclusion election when you get your quote. This choice costs more, but it is your decision. If you do not make this choice, the policy does not protect you if you get hurt while working.
Where to get your certificate of insurance
If you already have a policy, you can get a copy of your certificate from the insurance company. If you need a workers' compensation policy now, start your quote to see what your coverage looks like and get the paper you need. Your quote will tell you the real price for your state and your kind of work.
