The Certificate of Insurance (COI) is one of the most frequently requested documents in trucking. Every freight broker will ask for it. Many shippers require it before letting you on their property. Here's everything you need to know.

What is a Certificate of Insurance?

A Certificate of Insurance is a one-page summary document that your insurance company produces. It is not your actual insurance policy — it's a standardized form (usually ACORD 25) that shows: who is insured, what types of coverage they have, the coverage limits, the policy numbers, the effective and expiration dates, and the insurer's information.

Think of it as a snapshot of your insurance coverage that you can hand to brokers, shippers, and anyone else who needs to verify you're covered — without giving them your entire policy.

How to get your COI

Step 1: Call or email your insurance agent. Tell them you need a Certificate of Insurance for your commercial trucking operation.

Step 2: Tell them if any specific broker needs to be listed as a "certificate holder." Some brokers require this — it means they receive automatic notice if your policy is cancelled.

Step 3: Your agent will generate the COI and email it to you. This typically takes a few hours — sometimes less.

Step 4: Verify the COI before sending it to anyone. Check that all your information is correct and coverage limits are accurate.

What your COI must show for brokers

• Your company's legal name and address
• Auto liability coverage — minimum $750,000 (many brokers require $1,000,000)
• Cargo coverage — minimum $100,000 for most loads
• General liability if required by the broker
• Policy effective and expiration dates showing current coverage
• Your insurer's name and NAIC number