7 Reasons to Request a Current Certificate of Insurance

Updated June 2026 · Reviewed by the Eduyush editorial team

Why request a current certificate of insurance?

Maintaining up-to-date COIs reduces financial risk and keeps you compliant with contracts and regulations. Here are the seven reasons at a glance:

• Confirm the policy is still active
• Verify the coverage limits meet your contract
• Confirm additional insured status
• Protect against liability and financial loss
• Meet regulatory and contractual requirements
• Manage higher-risk industries
• Stay compliant in property and event management

1. Confirm the policy is still active

Policies can be cancelled or lapse for non-payment or expiry. A recently dated COI confirms coverage is in force at the time of your agreement. Example: if a contractor's general liability policy has expired, damage they cause during your project could become your financial responsibility. See top mistakes in certificate of insurance.

2. Verify coverage limits meet your contract

Every agreement carries different risk, so limits matter. A current COI shows the exact amounts. Example: a venue may require a wedding planner to carry $2 million in liability cover; if the planner only holds $500,000, the venue is exposed. For how limits appear, see certificate of insurance vs liability policy.

3. Confirm additional insured status

Your business may need to be an additional insured on another party's policy. A current COI shows whether you are named.

4. Protect against liability and financial loss

Without valid coverage, you can be held responsible for accidents caused by contractors or vendors. Example: if a caterer starts a kitchen fire at your event and their policy has lapsed, you could face the damage and legal costs. A current COI keeps that risk where it belongs.

5. Meet regulatory and contractual requirements

Many industries require specific coverage, and contracts often demand proof. Example: a city may require all municipal-project vendors to carry workers' compensation and general liability — a missing COI can mean penalties or delays. See what to include in a COI.

6. Manage higher-risk industries

Why it matters: in construction, manufacturing, and event work, a single uninsured incident can be catastrophic, so a lapse in coverage does far more damage than in a low-risk setting. Example: if a roofing subcontractor's workers' compensation has quietly lapsed and a worker is injured on your site, the claim can land on your business directly rather than on the sub's insurer. Manufacturers should likewise confirm suppliers' product liability is current to stay protected against defect claims. More in business hazard insurance.

7. Stay compliant in property and event management

Why it matters: if you lease property or run events, you can be held responsible when a tenant's or vendor's coverage has lapsed. Example: a commercial landlord who accepts an expired tenant COI could end up covering fire damage caused by the tenant's equipment, and an event organiser relying on a lapsed sound vendor's policy could absorb the cost of an on-site injury. Require updated certificates from every tenant and vendor before they operate. For one property-coverage example, see does renters insurance cover mold.

What happens if you don't request a current COI?

Skipping the check quietly transfers the other party's risk onto you. If their policy has lapsed or changed, here is what is at stake:

How current should a COI be?

There is no single rule, but these are sensible benchmarks for how recently a certificate should have been issued:

When in doubt, request a fresh certificate rather than relying on one already on file — it costs nothing and removes the guesswork.

Common mistakes businesses make with COIs

Even diligent teams slip up. The most common certificate of insurance mistakes are:

• Accepting expired certificates
• Not checking policy limits
• Assuming a COI guarantees coverage
• Ignoring endorsements
• Filing certificates without reviewing them
• Never requesting renewals

For each of these and how to avoid them, see top mistakes in certificate of insurance.

Frequently asked questions

Make requesting current COIs a routine

Requesting a current COI is a simple, proactive step that keeps your business protected, compliant, and ready for the unexpected.

Ready to request one? Most insurers and agents issue a standard COI the same business day through their online portal — see our full certificate of insurance guide for the exact steps and what to ask for.