Certificates of Insurance for Contractors
No certificate, no site access. For Ontario contractors, a certificate of insurance is the document that gets you through the gate and paid on time. Here is what it shows, what clients check, and how to get one the same day.
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Service & Support:
- Follow-up from a licensed broker within 24 hours
- Policy Review and Comparison
- Risk Assessment
- Help with certificates of insurance, policy changes and contract reviews
- Renewal planning well before your policy expires
Quick answer
What is a certificate of insurance for a contractor?
A certificate of insurance (COI) is a one page summary, issued by your broker or insurer, that proves you carry specific coverage: usually commercial general liability, auto and sometimes umbrella, with limits, policy numbers and dates. General contractors, owners, property managers and municipalities ask for it before you start work, often with themselves named as an additional insured.
What a certificate of insurance actually is
A certificate of insurance summarizes your coverage on one page: the insurer, policy numbers, effective and expiry dates, and limits for coverages such as commercial general liability, automobile liability and umbrella. It is issued by your broker or insurer, not by you.
A certificate is evidence, not the policy itself. It does not change your coverage on its own. If a client needs to be an additional insured or needs a waiver of subrogation, your policy must actually include that, and the certificate simply confirms it.
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Insurance brokers in Ontario are licensed by the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO).
Fast follow up
Once we receive your information, a professional in our network will connect with you within 24 hours.
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Our referral service is free for businesses. You deal directly with the broker for quotes and coverage.
What clients check on your certificate
General contractors and property managers review certificates against the insurance clause in your contract. These are the details most often rejected.
Named insured
- Must match your legal business name
- Include operating names if used on contracts
- Wrong names cause rejections
Limits
- CGL per occurrence and aggregate
- Automobile liability
- Umbrella or excess if required
Dates
- Policy must be in force for the whole job
- Renewals need a new certificate
- Many GCs track expiry dates
Additional insured
- Client named as additional insured
- Wording must match the contract
- Often includes the owner and GC
Waiver of subrogation
- Stops your insurer pursuing the client
- Must be allowed by your policy
- Common in commercial contracts
Notice of cancellation
- Client wants notice if coverage ends
- Usually 30 days
- Check the contract wording
How to get certificates faster
Keep your broker's details handy
Most brokers who work with contractors can issue a standard certificate the same day. Send the client's legal name, address, the project name and any additional insured wording from the contract.
- Client legal name and address
- Project name or address
- Exact additional insured wording
Read the insurance clause before you sign
Contracts sometimes ask for limits or endorsements you do not carry. Catch it before signing so your broker can adjust coverage or you can price it into the job.
- Required limits
- Additional insured and waiver wording
- Notice and deductible clauses
Need certificates on demand?
We connect Ontario contractors with licensed brokers who issue certificates quickly and make sure the coverage behind them matches your contracts.
Also collecting from your subs? See our WSIB clearance guide and general contractor insurance.
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Certificate of Insurance FAQs
Who issues a certificate of insurance?
Your insurance broker or insurer issues it. Contractors should never create or edit their own certificates.
What does additional insured mean on a certificate?
It means the client is covered under your liability policy for claims arising from your work for them. Your policy must include an additional insured endorsement; the certificate only confirms it.
How long does it take to get a certificate of insurance?
A broker who works with contractors can often issue a standard certificate the same day. Special wording can take longer if the policy needs an endorsement.
Is a certificate of insurance the same as a WSIB clearance?
No. A certificate proves your liability and auto insurance. A WSIB clearance certificate proves your WSIB account is in good standing. Most GCs require both.
Does a certificate guarantee I am covered?
No. It is a summary of coverage at the date issued. The policy wording decides what is covered, which is why clients ask for notice if a policy is cancelled.
What happens after you request commercial insurance?
1Discovery Call
(30 to 45 min)Understand operations, contracts, assets, and loss history.
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We will request your
expiring policies and loss runs.
2Risk Mapping
(1 to 3 days)Document exposures, limits, sublimits, deductibles, and endorsements that fit your contracts.
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3Market Placement
(2 to 5 days)Approach the right markets
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and negotiate terms, exclusions, and deductibles.
4Proposal & Bind
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