What is a COI, and why does it say ACORD?
A client asks for your COI. Learn which names, dates and limits to check and how the certificate relates to your actual policy.
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Current collection · Commercial insuranceStart here · Guide 01
What is a COI, and why does it say ACORD?
A client asks for your COI. Learn which names, dates and limits to check and how the certificate relates to your actual policy.
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Start with a topic below, or browse the full collection. Each guide includes examples and sources to help you ask more useful questions.
01 / Documents & requests
When a client asks for proof
Make sense of certificates, contract requests and the policy pages behind them.
Certificate holder vs. additional insured: what’s the difference?
Receiving a certificate and receiving protection under a policy are different requests. Here is how to separate them.
Exclusions and endorsements: the pages that change your coverage
The summary page is only the beginning. Follow the coverage form and its changes to understand what the policy actually says.
02 / Coverage choices
What protection actually addresses
Understand common policy types, limits and the dates that can affect a claim.
General liability vs. professional liability: which risks do they address?
A visitor’s fall and a client’s allegation about your work raise different questions. See why a service business may need both coverages.
What is a BOP, and what might you still need?
A business owner’s policy brings several protections together. Understand the package, then check the risks that need a separate look.
$1 million / $2 million: how to read your liability limits
Two numbers, two different limits. Follow a simple example to see how a single-loss cap and the remaining aggregate work together.
What does commercial umbrella insurance add?
An extra liability layer can help above underlying limits. Check which policies it sits over and the conditions that make it respond.
Claims-made vs. occurrence: why the dates matter
The date of the event, the date of the claim and the reporting date can point to different policy questions. Follow a simple timeline.
03 / Running the business
Questions that surface as you operate
A practical look at workers’ compensation and the adjustments that can follow a policy term.
Workers’ comp when you work alone or use subcontractors
Working alone or paying subcontractors does not settle every workers’ compensation question. Check the people, entity, work and state rules.
Why did I receive an insurance bill after the policy ended?
An expired policy can still have unfinished premium accounting. Follow a simple audit example and a checklist for reviewing the result.
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