A certificate of insurance (COI) is a document showing that insurance is in effect. The Insurance Bureau of Canada calls it a "written document stating that insurance is in effect," including a general statement of the policy's coverage.
Why It Matters for Snow Contractors
Commercial clients commonly ask for one before work starts. Property managers, condo boards and municipalities use a COI to check your limits, policy dates and, where required, that they are named as an additional insured. In Canada, the industry standard form is CSIO's Certificate of Liability Insurance.
Keep in mind what a COI is not. It is evidence of coverage, not the policy. Coverage is set by the policy and its endorsements. How quickly you can get one depends on your broker and insurer, so ask well before the contract start date.
Example
A tender requires a certificate within seven working days of award, as the Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan did in one winter maintenance request for proposals. You send your broker the client's legal name and insurance requirements the day you are awarded the work, and the broker issues the certificate showing the required limits and additional insured wording.
Related Terms and Guides
- Certificates of insurance explained
- How fast can I get a certificate of insurance?
- Subcontractor COI tracker
General information only, not insurance or legal advice. Policy wordings differ; a licensed broker can explain how your own policy and contracts treat this.
Further reading: Insurance Bureau of Canada: Insurance glossary; Insurance Bureau of Canada: Types of business insurance coverage
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does a certificate of insurance change my policy?
No. A certificate is evidence of coverage. The policy and its endorsements set the coverage.
Should I collect certificates from my subcontractors?
Many contractors do, and track expiry dates. See hiring subcontractors safely.
Related Pages
- General liability
- Insurance requirements for commercial snow contracts
- Additional insured