Certificates of Insurance (COIs): What Contractors Need to Know

Why COIs are essential for winning work

If you’re bidding on commercial or public projects in Texas, chances are the GC or owner wants a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before you step on site.

But what exactly is a COI? And why does it matter?

What is a COI? A COI is a one-page summary of your insurance policies. It tells project owners that you have active coverage—like general liability, auto, or workers’ comp—and shows the coverage limits.

Why delays hurt: Chasing down a COI in the middle of a competitive bidding process adds unneeded stress and distracts you from focus on the things that will win you the project. Extra administration adds delays and additional overhead costs.

Tips for staying ahead:

• Keep your policies active and renew early

• Ask your broker how fast they can turn around a COI request

• If you work with multiple GCs, consider a system for tracking who needs what

Bottom line: Having your COIs ready isn’t just good practice—it can be the difference between landing a job or missing it.