What is a letter of certification in insurance?

Asked by: Rafaela Ondricka  |  Last update: October 31, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (45 votes)

The certificate contains verifying information for a business's insurance policy in similar fashion to how a driver's license does for an individual. The policyholder's name, the policy's effective end date, type of coverage it provides, and other important details are listed.

What is a letter of certification?

What is a letter of certification? A letter of certification is a written confirmation that a specific piece of information is true. A letter of certification can include details like dates, titles and the names of whoever is involved in the interaction being certified.

Why would I get a certified letter from insurance company?

It could be that your check bounced or that they need you to acknowledge a specific endorsement that restricts coverage in some way. If you're dealing directly with the company, those are the most likely reasons. Otherwise ask your agent.

Why would a customer ask for a coi?

Generally, a client will request a COI directly from your insurance company to confirm you have appropriate insurance coverage. If you are hiring a contractor, consider getting a COI from their insurance company, even if you have worked with them before because their coverage may have changed.

What is the purpose of a COI?

A COI is a statement of coverage issued by the company that insures your business. Usually no more than one page, a COI provides a summary of your business coverage. It serves as verification that your business is indeed insured.

Learn what's on your Certificate of Insurance in under 6 minutes!

30 related questions found

Who requires a certificate of insurance?

Proving that someone has business insurance (like, say, a third party or independent contractor before they begin working with you) is most simply done through a certificate of insurance. Also known as a COI, these are documents that come straight from an insurer that verifies someone's coverage.

What is the benefit of COI?

A certificate of insurance is much more than just a document. It offers tangible benefits for your business, including proof of coverage, contract compliance, enhanced reputation, streamlined processes, peace of mind, and fosters the ability to build trust and relationships.

Why request a certificate of insurance?

Requesting a certificate of insurance helps mitigate risks by ensuring that the other party has adequate insurance coverage to protect against potential losses or liabilities. It's essential to review the certificate carefully to verify that the coverage meets the requirements outlined in the agreement or contract.

Is a COI evidence of coverage?

A Certificate of Insurance (COI) provides evidence that an outside group/organization/company conducting activities or business on public property purchased specified types – and sufficient amounts – of insurance should an accident occur.

Is a COI confidential?

Benefits of a COI

They are convenient, providing basic information and evidencing that coverage existed during a particular time. Without divulging confidential business information, a COI can provide enough information for the association to file a claim, if necessary.

Why am I getting a certified letter?

Certified Mail is often used for important legal or official purposes, such as IRS letters or court documents. If you have doubts about the sender's legitimacy or suspect fraudulent activity, consider contacting an expert in fraud prevention. You can also consult with your local Post Office.

What happens if you ignore a certified letter?

If you refuse to sign for it, the chances are that the sender or court will send you the same documentation via regular mail.

Why would an insurance company send me a letter?

Demand letters are usually sent after the receipt of an unsatisfactory initial offer of compensation. Demand letters allow an individual to explain the circumstances of an incident and to itemize associated costs.

What is a standard letter of certification?

A letter that's certified is a type of mail that provides proof of mailing and delivery. It offers added security and accountability, making it a popular choice when sending important or sensitive materials.

What are certified letters usually about?

Use Certified Letters for:

Legal documents requiring proof of receipt. Sensitive information where tracking is necessary. Any situation where the sender needs legal evidence that the mail was sent and received.

Do you have to respond to a certified letter?

If you accept certified mail for a lawsuit, you have 28 days to file an answer. If you refuse to accept your certified mail, or it is returned to the court unclaimed, and you are residing at that address, then the court will re-send the papers by regular mail, and will assume you have received them.

Who receives a certificate of coverage?

We issue a COI only to a single specifically named third party per your request. If you need to provide a COI to multiple parties, you will need to make a separate request for each party.

Who signs a certificate of insurance?

Certificate holder: entity for which the evidence of coverage is being provided. Producer's signature: signature of the Insurance Agent/Broker who issues certificates.

What does "COIs" mean?

Conflicts of Interest (COIs), also called competing interests, disclosures, or declarations, can be defined as any real or perceived influential factor that may influence, bias, or affect the motivations of a researcher, thereby affecting their research's integrity.

Who asks for a certificate of insurance?

Both businesses and individuals ask for certificates of insurance. They do so in order to verify that someone has an adequate amount of insurance coverage in place to protect their business and assets.

Why would an insurance company send a certified letter?

When it comes to customer communications, insurance companies follow specific processes and timelines set by regulators and state insurance departments. Certified Mail® is often the most efficient way to document that notifications have been properly completed.

Who needs to provide coi?

Contract Execution: Once a contract is awarded, contractors typically need to provide a COI to the client or project owner as part of the contractual agreement. This ensures compliance with insurance-related provisions in the contract.

Why do companies request COI?

By requesting a COI, companies can verify that their vendors and contractors have the necessary coverage to meet any legal and regulatory requirements. For the latter, it's important to mitigate risks for your business and avoid extraneous expenses like litigation stemming from claims.

Does COI cost money?

A certificate of insurance is free. Much like a receipt, the document is proof that the policyholder paid for the policy and has insurance. The cost of the policy depends on the type of insurance, your policy limits, and business factors, such as revenue and number of employees.

What is COI used for?

A certificate of insurance (COI) is a document from an insurer to show you have business insurance. They're also known as certificates of liability insurance or proof of insurance. With a COI, your clients can make sure you have the right insurance before they start working with you.