A certificate of insurance for business is a crucial document that eases the worry of liability risk. Requiring a certificate of insurance for contractors and vendors is a wise decision that can influence a company’s fortunes.

Companies of all sizes should take as many measures as possible to remain solvent. A certificate of liability insurance for small business protects your company from costly claims, allowing your brand to grow.

However, if you’ve never dealt with a certificate of insurance (COI) before, then you might balk at collecting and verifying them. New things are sometimes scary. Plus, you have to work under pressure. You have to know what your company’s insurance requirements are. You have to ensure your contractors and vendors submit the proper forms – with the correct information.

Where can you go for help?

A certificate of insurance example can teach you the basics of COIs. They can also be burdens if you randomly download them from dubious websites. You shouldn’t let this deter you from beginning your COI management journey. A certificate of insurance for business sample can be the best map.

Sometimes Examples Are Best

It’s understandable to feel lost if you’ve never read a certificate of liability insurance form before. Everyone has to start someplace. A certificate of insurance example is better than fumbling around and learning as you go.

A blank certificate of liability insurance form is similar to a jigsaw puzzle box cover. COI management is a puzzle, especially if you are new to the concept. What is the result? What should the puzzle look like once it’s pieced together?

You can even use a sample certificate of insurance with additional insured to learn the details regarding that particular form. Any sample certificate of liability insurance can guide you and your company toward insurance compliance.

Where can you get one?

Start with the Right Version

If you’re going to use an example to learn how to read a COI or if you need one to create your own template, you should use an industry standard: the certificate of insurance ACORD form.

ACORD stands for the Association for Cooperative Operations Research and Development. The organization issues and stores standardized insurance forms that are used across the United States.

A sample ACORD certificate of insurance can show you what to expect from a COI. If you obtain one from the ACORD website, you are getting the most authentic, up-to-date version possible. Accuracy is essential in COI tracking. The wrong information can result in expired coverage that is not followed up on. You need a solid foundation to build your COI management practices.

There are also different forms depending on types of coverage like the common certificate of liability insurance form ACORD 25. You should figure out which ones apply to your situation. Downloading forms that have nothing to do with your business just wastes your time and creates confusion.

Acquiring an ACORD form is easy. All you have to do is visit their website and search for the form you need. Once you do this, you can start to learn the ins and outs of COIs as well as create your own template.

When It’s Time, Build Your Own Model

Making a template COI is a simple two-step process:

  • Download a relevant blank ACORD form.
  • Fill it out with your requirements.

Whether you use an ACORD 25 fillable form or an ACORD 23 (Vehicle or Equipment Certificate of Insurance) as a source, making a template means you will have a powerful tool to help keep your company compliant with its insurance requirements and governmental regulations.

Using a great example can also ignite your COI education. You can feel confident knowing you are working from the best possible source material. You can use this confidence to tackle any COIs you receive. You’ll be able to spot fraudulent forms and missing information. Knowledge is power. The more you know, the more capable you can be in protecting your company from its liability risks.

Go All the Way With myCOI

A certificate of insurance form sample can help your company go the distance with insurance compliance. However, you might stall halfway to the finish line. Verifying and tracking one certificate of liability insurance is doable. What if you have dozens? Hundreds?

Can you keep up with the workload? Do you have enough time? Are you shortchanging your other job duties just so you can manage your company’s COIs?

myCOI is user-friendly COI tracking software that automates the sometimes tedious and complex world of certificate management. Built on insurance logic and supported by experts, myCOI can scan, read, and organize COIs to help companies make sure their third party’s coverage is accurate and current.

myCOI simplifies COI tracking on your end, reducing inefficiencies and errors. You’ll have less work to do and more to show for it. If a COI example is a guide, then myCOI is the first-class ticket that can take your certificates to their final destination.

The next uninsured third-party partner won't announce themselves.

illumend catches the gap.
You save the project.

Get started

Blog & Insights

Moving Beyond the Outdated Insurance Compliance Model

Tip# 1 – The “INSURED” Box

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

Constructing A Strong Contract

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

Are You Really an Additional Insured?

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

Insurance Agents: Watch Your Client Base Grow

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

Insurance and Cannabis: What You Need to Know

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

10 Tips for Transferring Contractual Risk

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

myCOI Gives Back to the Community

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

When You Need a Sample COI, Think ACORD

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

Here’s What You Need to Know About COIs

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

A COI Template Will Only Take You So Far

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

The Importance of A Signed Contract

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

Checking More Than Just Expiration Dates

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

Dominate Your Insurance Agency Earning Power

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

Additional Insured Updates You Need to Know

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

Is COI the same as liability insurance?

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

The Basics of Quarterly Tracking

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

The Basics of Additional Insured Endorsements

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

What Is a COI in Contracting?

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

What Is A Certificate Of Insurance (COI) For?

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

Primary and Noncontributory Endorsement Form

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

7 Strategies for Managing Insurance Renewals

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

General Liability Certificate of Insurance

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

Certificate of Property Insurance

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

How to Check If a Business Has Insurance

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

How do I get an insurance certificate?

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

Customer Asking for Certificate of Insurance

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

The Basics: Waiver of Subrogation

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

What Is A Surety Bond and Why You Need One

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

You Need MORE Than Just Holding COIs

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

The Wrong COI is Just as Bad as No COI

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

5 Things to Do to Verify Your COI is Valid

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

Premiums Are On the Rise

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

Contractors Pollution Insurance

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

COI Real Estate

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

Broker Certificate of Insurance

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

Building Certificate of Insurance

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

What Is An LLC Certificate of Insurance?

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

Do Contractors Need Insurance?

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

Construction Insurance Risk Management

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

What Is Considered a Third-Party Insurance?

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

What Is a COI in Construction?

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

Types of Construction Insurance

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

What Is Builders’ Risk Insurance?

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

Third-Party Insurance Verification

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

Why Should I Outsource COI Tracking to myCOI?

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

Insurance Tracking Services

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

How Can You Track Insurance Policies?

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

What Is Insurance Certificate Tracking?

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

How to Ensure Contractor Compliance

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

How Do I Generate a Certificate of Insurance?

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

How Much Does a COI Cost in the USA?

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

How Important Is a Certificate of Insurance?

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

What Is COI in Risk Management?

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

What Is a Third-Party Risk Management System?

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

Compliance in the Construction Industry

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

Third-Party Risk Management in Construction

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

How Do You Mitigate Risk From a Third Party?

Insurance Knowledge
Educational

You don't have to understand insurance to be good at insurance compliance.

With Lumie™, compliance is covered. So is everyone on your project.

Get started

Get The Lantern

illumend updates, designed to light the way to insurance confidence.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.