A certificate of insurance (COI), or proof of insurance certificate, summarizes your business insurance coverage and proves your business has liability insurance.
It’s a document issued to a policyholder by an insurance company or broker that confirms your policy is active and outlines the coverages you have, the policy’s coverage limits, its expiration date, and other key information.
Every small business owner, entrepreneur, independent contractor, or self-employed professional, regardless of their field, needs a certificate of insurance for various reasons.
If you don’t have a certificate of insurance, you could miss out on valuable opportunities.
Many clients – whether large companies or individual homeowners – want assurance that you’re covered in case something goes wrong.
A certificate of insurance shows you have business insurance, giving your clients a sense of security that they won’t be left footing the bill for accidents, property damage, or poor work. You may find it hard to earn their trust or business without it.
What Information Does a Certificate of Insurance (COI) Have?
A Zensurance broker can quickly provide you with a certificate of liability insurance after purchasing a policy. A certificate of insurance usually includes the following information:
- The broker’s details: The name of the broker who issued the COI, their address, and phone number.
- The insurer’s details: The name of the insurance company underwriting the policy.
- Your business’s details: The policyholder’s name, business name, and address.
- Additional insureds: The names of individuals or organizations named as additional insureds on the policy (For example, a client or landlord who wants coverage extended to them for work you do on their behalf).
- The policy’s details: The insurance policy number, its expiration date, the coverages in the policy, the business operations to which the policy applies, the coverage or policy limits, exclusions, and deductibles.
Why Do Businesses Need a Certificate of Insurance (COI)?
There are many reasons why business owners need a certificate of insurance, such as:
- A general contractor needs a COI when submitting a proposal or bidding on a contract to a partner or customer to do work for them.
- An entrepreneur or business owner seeks a loan from a financial institution.
- An event organizer or business that hosts an event at a rented venue must verify that they’re insured with the property owner.
- A retailer seeking to rent or lease a commercial property to show the landlord they’re covered.
A COI can give a business or professional an edge while vying to win a contract or new business.
Put simply, a COI is proof you can cover a liability claim if the unexpected happens – an employee, customer, or third party gets hurt or suffers a financial loss because of your operations.
How Do I Get a Certificate of Insurance?
Getting a certificate of insurance (COI) is fast and straightforward:
- Get a free quote and choose a business insurance policy that fits your operations.
- Purchase the policy.
- Your broker issues your certificate of insurance, often instantly.
With Zensurance, you can get a quote, buy coverage, and receive your COI online in minutes – no waiting, no paperwork back-and-forth. Need to add an additional insured? Your broker can update the certificate and reissue it the same day.
How Much Does a Certificate of Insurance Cost?
A certificate of insurance is free. You don’t pay for the document itself – it’s issued at no charge once you have an active policy.
What you pay for is the underlying business insurance coverage, and your premium depends on your industry, revenue, location, and the coverages you choose.
What Type of Small Businesses or Self-Employed Pros Need a Certificate of Insurance?
Whether you are an independent contractor, a caterer, or an accountant who manages finances for other businesses or individuals, it is wise to have an insurance certificate on hand to provide any partners or customers upon request.
It comes down to your and your customers’ needs. In general, any small business or independent professional providing a service with the potential for liability losses may be asked to provide a certificate of insurance.
Also, if you request to see a certificate of insurance from a third party, it’s worthwhile to contact the brokerage that issued the document to verify that all the details are correct and the policy is valid.
Is a Certificate of Insurance the Same as a Business Insurance Policy?
No. A certificate of insurance (COI) differs from a formal business insurance contract between you and an insurance company.
A COI is a one-page document that proves you are insured should you need to provide it to a partner, customer, or financial institution.
On the other hand, a business insurance policy clearly defines your coverages, the business operations to which the policy applies, the coverage limits, exclusions, deductibles, endorsements, and the policy’s conditions.
It outlines the coverage specifics and terms governing the relationship between your business and an insurer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Certificates of Insurance in Canada
How long is a certificate of insurance valid for?
A certificate of insurance is valid until your business insurance policy’s expiry date. When renewing your policy, you will need an updated certificate of insurance.
Can I have more than one certificate of insurance?
Yes. You can request a certificate of insurance for each of your clients, contracts, or venue owners that ask for one.
Can I get a certificate of insurance the same day?
In most cases, yes. A broker can issue one to you immediately after you purchase a policy.
Who can ask to see my certificate of insurance?
Clients, general contractors, landlords, financial lenders, and venue owners commonly request to see a certificate of insurance from a business owner before hiring them.
Do You Have the Right Insurance to Protect Your Small Business?
Business insurance policies are typically one-year contracts between business owners and insurance companies. They must be renewed annually to ensure continuous coverage.
But a lot can change in 12 months. That’s why it’s vital to work with a licensed insurance broker who can serve as your trusted advisor, review your liability risks and existing coverage, recommend ways to enhance your coverage if necessary and reduce the liability risks you may face.
Getting Insured Is Quick and Easy With Zensurance
Whether your policy is due for renewal, you’re considering switching to another insurance provider, or you’re seeking a small business insurance policy for the first time, get a free quote from Zensurance.
Fill out our online application for a free quote in under five minutes.
Our friendly broker team strives to find our customers the low-cost protection they need from our partner network of over 50 insurance providers, answer questions, and customize policies to suit your requirements and budget.
– Updated July 6, 2026.
Related Posts
Sign Up for ZenMail
"*" indicates required fields
Recent Posts
9 Insurance Risks Gyms and Fitness Centres in Canada Face
Gyms and fitness centres face injury claims, equipment breakdowns, harassment allegations, and cyberattacks. Here are the nine most common risks – and the gym and fitness centre insurance coverages that protect your finances when something goes wrong.
Survey: 61% of Canadian Small Businesses Are Uninsured. Most Say They Don’t Need It
We surveyed 1,000 business owners across the country to take the temperature of Canadian small businesses in 2026. What came back is a portrait of people who are tougher than the economy gives them credit for, and far more exposed than they realize. Here's what the data says.
What Landlords Need to Know About Student Rental Housing Insurance
Canadian landlords with properties near universities and colleges have an excellent opportunity to meet the constant demand for off-campus student rental housing. But renting to students carries real risks, and property owners need to safeguard their investments against damage and lawsuits. Here's how the right insurance helps.