COI Reporter · Insurance basics
What Is a Certificate of Insurance (COI)?
A certificate of insurance is a document that summarizes selected information about one or more insurance policies for the person or organization requesting it.
A summary, not the policy
A COI can help a requester review information presented about insurance, but it is not the insurance policy itself. Its summary does not independently verify that coverage is current, that every detail matches the policy, or that a particular loss is covered.
When a coverage question matters, the policy and any endorsements are the documents to review with the insurer or broker. A certificate should not be treated as a guarantee of coverage.
Common fields on a COI
- Named insured
- The person or organization identified as insured on the certificate.
- Insurer
- The insurance company shown for the policy.
- Policy dates
- The effective and expiration dates displayed for the policy.
- Listed limits
- The amounts shown for each type of coverage.
Summarize requested insurance limits with the public generator. It summarizes the coverage names and limits you provide; it does not assess whether those limits are adequate.
These are details displayed on the certificate. A certificate does not independently confirm that coverage is current, what amount remains available, or whether a particular loss is covered. Policy terms, later changes, and claim details determine actual coverage and available amounts.
A COI does not confirm current coverage
A certificate summarizes selected insurance information. It does not amend the policy or establish that coverage is currently valid.
Checking the expiration date shown on a certificate does not verify policy coverage; it is only a date displayed in the summary.
Check a COI expiration date to see the timing. The checker evaluates the expiration date you enter only; it does not verify insurance coverage.
Further reading
For examples of regulator guidance, see the Texas Department of Insurance certificate FAQ and the New York Department of Financial Services circular letter. These are state-specific references, not a summary of rules for every jurisdiction.