Types of Certificate of Insurance: Choosing the Right One

Updated June 2026 · Reviewed by the Eduyush editorial team

What are the types of certificate of insurance?

Choosing the right COI protects your business, keeps you compliant with contracts, and minimises liability risk. Clients or partners usually specify which certificate they need, so it helps to recognise each one. Here is the quick map:

General liability certificate

Purpose: protects against claims of bodily injury, property damage, or personal injury during normal operations. Example: a contractor provides a general liability COI to a property owner before starting work. When to use: any business interacting with clients or the public — contractors, event organisers, retailers. Issued on the ACORD 25.

Professional liability (errors & omissions)

Purpose: covers claims of negligence, mistakes, or failure to deliver services as promised. Example: a financial advisor shows a professional liability COI to a client so that bad-advice claims are covered. When to use: consultants, software developers, architects, healthcare and other service professionals. This is shown on the ACORD 25 certificate of liability (some carriers issue their own E&O certificate) — it is not the ACORD 28, which is a property form.

Workers' compensation certificate

Purpose: proves your business carries coverage for employee injuries or illnesses on the job. Example: a restaurant owner needs a workers' compensation COI when hiring staff. When to use: any business with employees, especially in higher-risk fields such as construction, hospitality, and manufacturing. Workers' compensation is shown as a coverage line on the ACORD 25.

Commercial auto liability certificate

Purpose: confirms coverage for vehicles used for business. Example: a delivery service provides clients with a commercial auto COI in case of an accident during deliveries. When to use: businesses with vehicle fleets or employees who drive for work. The certificate is the ACORD 25; note that ACORD 127 is the business-auto application section, not a certificate.

Product liability certificate

Purpose: protects against claims from injuries or damage caused by defective products. Example: a toy manufacturer needs this COI to distribute to a retailer. When to use: manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. Shown on the ACORD 25, usually with product-specific endorsements.

How to choose the right certificate of insurance

• Identify your risks — high-hazard activities, public interaction, or sensitive data.
• Evaluate your operations — physical labour, client work, vehicles, or digital infrastructure.
• Meet contractual requirements — read each client agreement for the exact coverage and limits required.

A construction company, for example, might need several certificates at once: general liability for on-site accidents, workers' compensation for staff, and commercial auto for company vehicles. For why staying current matters, see reasons to request a current certificate.

How to make sure your COI is accurate

• Verify the named insured matches the business you are contracting with.
• Check coverage types and limits align with your contract.
• Confirm the dates are current for the full project period.
• Watch for incorrect policy numbers, outdated expiration dates, and missing endorsements.

Frequently asked questions

Choosing the right certificate protects your business

Matching the certificate to the coverage your contract requires — and confirming the named insured, limits, dates, and endorsements — keeps your operations protected and compliant.