What Clients Look for in Your Certificate of Insurance (COI)

If you’re a 1099 contractor or freelancer, chances are a client has asked you for a Certificate of Insurance (COI). But what are they really looking for? What parts of your COI do they care about most—and why?

As an insurance industry expert working with thousands of freelancers, I can tell you that most clients ask for a COI for one simple reason:
They want proof that hiring you won’t expose them to risk.

Let’s break down exactly what they’re scanning your COI for—and how you can make sure it’s ready.

🔍 1. Active Coverage

First and foremost: is your policy active?
Clients need to see:

• The effective date (start of coverage) 
• The expiration date (end of coverage) 

If your coverage is expired—or your COI doesn’t reflect the correct timeline—your client may delay onboarding or withhold payment.

✅ Tip from Bunker: We issue real-time COIs instantly, so your proof of insurance is always up-to-date.

🛡️ 2. Type of Coverage

Not all insurance is created equal. Clients look to confirm you carry:

• General Liability Insurance (for bodily injury/property damage) 
• Professional Liability (E&O) (for errors in your services) 
• Cyber Liability Insurance (for data/privacy issues) 
• Workers’ Comp (in states or contracts where required) 

If your work carries specific risks—like IT work, event planning, or construction—they’ll look for job-specific coverage.

✅ Pro tip: Double-check the contract. Clients often spell out which coverage types they require.

💵 3. Coverage Limits

Most contracts define minimum coverage limits. A common benchmark is:

• $1 million per occurrence 
• $2 million aggregate 

Your COI needs to reflect those limits clearly. If your policy falls short, your client may reject it—or require you to upgrade before work starts.

🧾 4. Certificate Holder Info

This one is often overlooked—but crucial.

Clients want to see their name and address listed in the “Certificate Holder” section. It’s their assurance that this document was created specifically for them.

✅ Bunker lets you add your client’s info in seconds—and we’ll generate a custom COI on demand.

🧩 5. Additional Insured Language (When Applicable)

Some clients ask to be listed as an Additional Insured. This gives them extended coverage under your policy if a claim arises from your work.

If your COI doesn’t reflect this designation (usually in the notes section), your client might request a revised version.

✅ We make this easy—just check a box when you request your COI through Bunker.

⏱️ What Happens If Your COI Isn’t Right?

If your COI doesn’t match what the client expects:

• You may be removed from a project. 
• Payment could be delayed. 
• You may be seen as “non-compliant” by their legal or risk teams. 
• Worse, your client might choose another contractor who’s already prepared. 

That’s why it’s critical to work with an insurer who understands contractual compliance—and can deliver fast, tailored documents.

🧠 Final Thoughts: Your COI = Client Confidence

Your Certificate of Insurance isn’t just a form—it’s your ticket to the job. It shows that:

• You take your business seriously. 
• You understand risk. 
• You’re ready to protect yourself and your client. 

At Bunker, we specialize in making COIs simple, fast, and contract-compliant. Whether you’re a freelance writer, consultant, developer, or contractor, we’ve got the policy—and documentation—to get you hired faster.

👉 Need a COI today?
Get covered in minutes and generate a custom, client-ready COI instantly at buildbunker.com. You can also contact us at support@buildbunker.com!