What Is a Certificate of Insurance? Proof of Coverage for Moving Companies
A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is a document issued by an insurance company that verifies a moving company carries active liability and cargo insurance coverage. For moving companies, COIs are required when working with brokers, agents, apartment complexes, and commercial clients who need proof that the mover is properly insured before allowing work on their property.
Also called a certificate of liability insurance or ACORD certificate (after the standard form most insurers use), a COI is not an insurance policy itself — it's a one-page summary that confirms your coverage is active and meets specific requirements.
What a Certificate of Insurance Contains
Most COIs follow the ACORD 25 standard form. Here are the key fields that appear on every mover's certificate — and what to look for when reviewing one.
Named insured
The business name and address of the moving company holding the policy. This must match the operating company exactly — not a DBA, parent company, or affiliated entity.
Insurer name and NAIC number
The insurance company providing coverage, along with its National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) number. You can verify any insurer's financial strength rating through A.M. Best using this number.
Coverage types and limits
The specific policies in force — general liability, commercial auto, workers' compensation, cargo — with per-occurrence and aggregate limits. Verify the limits meet your requirements before the job starts.
Policy numbers and effective dates
Each policy listed on the COI has its own number and start/end date. These dates define the validity window of the certificate. A COI is only as good as its active policy period.
Certificate holder
The entity receiving proof of coverage — typically a broker, property manager, or commercial client. This is different from an 'additional insured,' which involves actual coverage rights, not just notification.
Description of operations
A free-text field where the insurer notes any special conditions, additional insured endorsements, or project-specific requirements. Read this carefully — it may contain limitations or exclusions relevant to your job.
When Moving Companies Need to Provide a COI
A COI isn't just a nice-to-have — many clients will cancel jobs or refuse entry without one. These are the most common scenarios where moving companies must have a COI ready.
Moving broker networks
Most national brokers require carriers to submit a COI before receiving any leads. Minimum coverage requirements (commonly $1M GL, $100K cargo) are specified in the broker agreement. COIs must be kept current year-round.
Apartment buildings and condo associations
High-rise buildings and managed communities typically require a COI before allowing elevator access for moves. Property managers often specify that they must be listed as a certificate holder or additional insured.
Commercial and office moves
Corporate relocation clients and their facilities managers require COIs as a standard part of vendor onboarding. Expect requirements for higher limits — $2M–$5M aggregate general liability is common for large commercial moves.
Military and government contracts
Government and military relocation contracts require extensive proof of insurance, often including specific endorsements and higher limits. COI requirements are spelled out in the contract solicitation documents.
Storage facilities
Moving companies that offer storage-in-transit often need to provide a COI to the storage facility, confirming that goods in their care are covered by cargo insurance during the storage period.
Types of Insurance on a Moving Company's COI
A complete mover's COI typically shows four coverage types. Each protects against a different category of risk.
| Coverage Type | What It Covers | Typical Limit |
|---|---|---|
| General Liability | Third-party property damage and bodily injury during a move | $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate |
| Cargo Insurance | Customer goods while in mover's care, custody, or control | $100K–$500K per occurrence |
| Commercial Auto | Vehicle accidents, driver liability, vehicle damage | $1M CSL (combined single limit) |
| Workers' Compensation | Employee injuries on the job (required in most states) | Statutory limits per state |
Important distinction: Cargo insurance on a mover's COI covers goods in transit for the mover's liability purposes. It is separate from the customer's valuation coverage (released value or full value protection) that the customer selects on the bill of lading.
How to Request and Verify a COI
Whether you're a mover providing a COI or a broker verifying one, the process is straightforward — but the details matter.
For movers issuing a COI
For brokers verifying a COI
Managing COIs Across Your Moving Operation
Growing moving companies deal with COIs from two directions: providing them to clients and brokers, and collecting them from subcontracted carriers. Manual tracking in email and spreadsheets creates gaps that kill jobs and expose the business to liability.
DriveSales centralizes COI storage, expiration tracking, and compliance verification so nothing falls through the cracks — whether it's your own policy renewal or a subcontractor's lapsed cargo coverage.
Related Glossary Terms
Certificate of Insurance: Frequently Asked Questions
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