How quickly can I get a certificate of insurance?

Once your policy is active, we can issue a certificate of insurance the same day — often within 1–2 hours of your request during business hours. If you're applying for new coverage, we can typically bind the policy and issue the COI on the same day for most business types.

What information does a certificate of insurance show?

A standard ACORD 25 certificate of insurance shows: the policyholder's name and address, the insurance company and policy number, the type of coverage (CGL, workers' comp, etc.), the coverage limits, the effective and expiration dates, and the certificate holder's name and address. It does not show your premium or deductible.

Can I add an additional insured to my COI?

Yes. General contractors, property owners, and clients frequently require that they be listed as an additional insured on your policy. We add additional insureds to your policy endorsement, which is then reflected on the certificate. Most CGL policies include a blanket additional insured endorsement, but we verify this is in place for your specific policy before issuing the certificate.

What is the difference between a COI and a policy declaration page?

A certificate of insurance (COI) is a one-page summary document used to prove coverage to a third party. A declarations page (dec page) is part of the actual policy document and shows more detail including your specific coverages, exclusions, endorsements, and premium. Clients typically ask for the COI; your own records should include both.

My GC requires a specific additional insured wording. Can you match it?

In most cases, yes. Many general contractors use standard additional insured language from CNA, ISO, or their own risk management department. Send us the required wording and we'll confirm whether your policy endorsement matches it before we issue the certificate. If adjustments are needed, we coordinate with the carrier.

How long is a COI valid?

A certificate of insurance reflects the coverage in effect on the date it was issued. It doesn't expire on its own — rather, it shows the policy's expiration date. Once the underlying policy renews or is replaced, you'll need a new certificate reflecting the updated policy dates. Many project owners request updated COIs annually or at the start of each new contract.

Certificate of Insurance

Same-Day COI for California Small Businesses

Need a certificate of insurance to start a job, sign a lease, or satisfy a client's requirements? We issue ACORD 25 certificates the same day for active policies — usually within 1–2 hours of your request.

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Quick Answer

A certificate of insurance (COI) is a one-page document — typically ACORD Form 25 — that summarizes the key details of your general liability insurance policy. It proves to clients, general contractors, landlords, and permit offices that your business carries active coverage. For active policyholders, CGL Santa Fe Springs issues same-day COIs upon request, usually within 1–2 hours during business hours.

What Is a Certificate of Insurance?

A certificate of insurance — or COI — is a short, standardized document that summarizes your active insurance coverage. It's not the policy itself. Think of it like a business card for your insurance: it tells the person asking that you have coverage, how much you have, and when it expires.

General contractors, property management companies, landlords, city permit offices, and corporate clients all request COIs before allowing a business to work with them. If you can't produce one quickly, you lose the job.

The standard COI format in commercial insurance is the ACORD 25 form. It shows your policy number, coverage limits, effective and expiration dates, and the name of the insurance company — all on one page.

What a COI Includes

Insured's name and address

Insurance company name and NAIC number

Policy number

Coverage type (CGL, workers' comp, auto, etc.)

Per-occurrence and aggregate limits

Policy effective and expiration dates

Certificate holder's name and address

Additional insured notation (if applicable)

Your premium or deductible

Full policy terms, exclusions, or endorsements

How to Request a Certificate of Insurance

Contact Us

Call, email, or fill out the form below with your COI request details — including the certificate holder's name and address, and any additional insured requirements.

We Verify Coverage

We confirm your policy is active and that the coverage meets the requesting party's requirements. If there's a gap, we let you know immediately.

Certificate Issued

We generate the ACORD 25 certificate and send it directly to you and/or the certificate holder via email — same day, usually within 1–2 hours.

Additional Insured Requirements

Many clients — especially general contractors and property owners — require that they be added as an "additional insured" on your policy before they'll allow you to work. This means if a claim arises from your operations, their name is also covered under your policy.

Most commercial general liability policies include a blanket additional insured endorsement, which makes this automatic when required by a written contract. We verify this endorsement is in place for your policy and reflect it correctly on your COI.

When requesting a COI with additional insured, provide us with:

The additional insured's full legal name

Their complete address

Any specific additional insured wording they require

The project name or contract number (if applicable)

Need a COI Today?

If you already have an active policy with us, call or email and we'll turn around your certificate within 1–2 hours.

(562) 395-5011

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Certificate of Insurance FAQ

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