If your company works with independent contractors, you’re probably familiar with a Certificate of Insurance (COI). It’s that one-page document contractors submit to prove they’re insured—typically before a project starts or a contract is signed.

But here’s the problem: not all COIs are created equal.

As a hiring manager, reviewing a COI isn’t just another task—it’s a safeguard for your company. Miss the wrong detail, and you could be held responsible for damages, legal claims, or even non-compliance.

At Bunker, we’ve seen it all—and we’re here to help you avoid the common pitfalls.

🔍 What Is a Certificate of Insurance (COI)?

A COI is proof that a contractor carries active insurance. It typically includes:

Contractor’s name and contact information
Policy type (General Liability, Professional Liability, Workers’ Comp, etc.)
Insurance company and policy number
Coverage limits and policy dates
Certificate Holder (you or your company)

Sounds straightforward, right? The key is knowing what to verify so that you’re not accepting incomplete or invalid coverage.

✅ 6 Things to Check in a Contractor’s COI

1. Active Policy Dates

Make sure the policy is currently in effect and will remain active for the duration of your project. If the expiration date is close, request a renewal or updated COI before work begins.

2. Correct Business Name

The name on the COI should match the contractor or business you hired. A mismatch could create legal confusion—and even void their coverage in a claim.

3. Adequate Coverage Types

Depending on the project, you may need more than General Liability. Here’s what to look for:

General Liability – Covers physical damage or bodily injury
Professional Liability (E&O) – Covers work-related errors or omissions
Workers’ Comp – Required in some states, even for solo contractors
Cyber Liability – Essential for tech, IT, and data-handling roles

If you’re unsure which coverage is needed, refer to your contract—or better yet, talk to an insurance expert (like us).

4. Minimum Coverage Limits

Check that the contractor’s policy meets or exceeds your required coverage limits—often something like:

$1M per occurrence
$2M aggregate

If their COI doesn’t meet your threshold, they’ll need to upgrade their policy or risk being noncompliant.

5. Additional Insured Language (If Required)

Some companies require to be listed as an Additional Insured on a contractor’s policy. If this applies to you, make sure it’s clearly listed in the COI.

Why it matters: This provides you with extended coverage if a claim arises from the contractor’s actions.

6. Certificate Holder Information

The Certificate Holder section should include your name or business and accurate contact info. This ensures you’re notified of any policy cancellations or changes.

🧠 Bonus Tip: Beware of These Red Flags

COIs from questionable or unrated insurance providers
Suspicious formatting or spelling errors
COIs without a policy number or expiration date
A contractor who is hesitant to share their COI

When in doubt, verify the COI directly with the insurer—or streamline the process using a service like Bunker.

🛡️ How Bunker Simplifies COI Compliance

At Bunker, we help hiring companies like yours avoid the risks of uninsured contractors by automating the COI process. We make sure contractors meet your exact insurance requirements before they step foot on the job site.

You get:

Verified, compliant COIs from A-rated carriers
Real-time COI delivery
Automatic renewal tracking
Simple Additional Insured requests

Final Thoughts

Hiring contractors doesn’t mean rolling the dice on liability. By carefully reviewing each COI—and knowing what to look for—you’ll reduce your risk, stay compliant, and sleep easier at night.

Need help verifying COIs or setting insurance requirements for your next contractor?

👉 Visit buildbunker.com and take the guesswork out of COI compliance. You can also contact us at support@buildbunker.com!