If you’re a freelancer or 1099 contractor, this scenario might feel familiar:
“Before we can move forward, we’ll need your insurance details.”
Wait—what? You’re great at your craft, but no one told you how to talk insurance with clients.
Here’s the good news: Whether you already have coverage or are still shopping, there’s a simple and professional way to respond. And at Bunker, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
💬 Step 1: Understand What They’re Really Asking For
When a client asks for your “insurance info,” they’re usually looking for one thing:
✅ A Certificate of Insurance (COI)
A COI is a one-page document that proves you have an active policy with the right coverage and limits. It typically includes:
- Your name/business name
- Type(s) of insurance (e.g., General Liability, E&O)
- Coverage limits
- Effective dates
- Certificate holder info (i.e., your client)
The COI gives them peace of mind that:
- You’re protected if something goes wrong
- They’re not liable for your mistakes
- Their legal team is happy
🗣️ Step 2: What to Say if You Already Have Coverage
Great! You’re ahead of the game. Here’s how to respond professionally:
“Absolutely! I’ll send over my Certificate of Insurance today. Please let me know if your team needs to be listed as the Certificate Holder or Additional Insured—I can include that too.”
Then, request a COI from your provider (or generate one instantly from your Bunker dashboard) and send it to the client as a PDF.
🗣️ Step 3: What to Say if You Don’t Have Coverage Yet
No stress—this is extremely common. You just need to act quickly.
“Thanks for the heads-up! I’m in the process of securing coverage and will send over my Certificate of Insurance shortly. Could you confirm the required policy types and coverage limits?”
Use their response to get the right policy—not all contracts are the same. With Bunker, you can:
- Choose the policy that fits your client’s needs
- Get a COI instantly
- Add them as an Additional Insured in seconds
You’ll come across as professional and proactive—even if you’re still shopping for insurance.
💡 Step 4: Know Which Types of Insurance They Might Request
Clients don’t always use the right terminology, so it helps to know the main policies freelancers are asked to carry:
- General Liability Insurance – Covers bodily injury or property damage
- Professional Liability Insurance (E&O) – Covers errors or missed deadlines
- Cyber Liability Insurance – Covers hacks, breaches, or lost data
- Workers’ Comp Insurance – May be required, even if you’re a solo contractor in some states
💬 Pro Tip: Ask your client if they have a vendor insurance requirement sheet. It’ll help you match the exact coverage they’re looking for.
🛠️ Step 5: Make COIs Easy—Use Bunker
Traditional insurers can take days to get you a COI. At Bunker, we do it in minutes.
We specialize in insurance for 1099s, freelancers, and small businesses. That means:
- 📄 Instant COIs (even with client-specific wording)
- 🛡️ Coverage that fits your industry
- 🔁 Easy updates if your client requests a change
- ✅ Affordable monthly or annual payment options
🔚 Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be an insurance expert—you just need to look like one. The next time a client asks for your insurance info, don’t panic.
Use the opportunity to show them you’re buttoned-up, trustworthy, and ready to work.
Ready to get a policy and generate your COI today?
👉 Visit buildbunker.com and get started in 5 minutes or less. You can also contact us at support@buildbunker.com!
Client Contract Clauses That Require Insurance (Explained)
