A certificate of insurance (COI) is a one-page summary from an insurer confirming that a vendor or contractor carries active coverage — typically general liability, and often workers’ compensation — with the policy limits and dates listed. Landlords ask for a current COI before letting a contractor work on the property.
The point is to shift risk: if an uninsured worker is injured on your property or damages the building, you can end up exposed, whereas a properly insured vendor’s policy responds instead. Best practice is to collect a COI before the first job, confirm it hasn’t expired, and keep it on file. Vetting vendors for valid insurance is part of dispatching work safely.
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Editorial method reviewed July 28, 2026. Aptoria reviews scope, source fit, examples, limitations, links, and publication gates. This record does not claim attorney, CPA, lender, appraiser, or other independent professional sign-off.
Professional review is not claimed. Verify current law, tax treatment, loan terms, valuation inputs, and property-specific facts with the appropriate qualified professional before acting.
Related terms
Maintenance
Work order
A tracked record of a maintenance task — the request, the vendor assigned, the cost, and the resolution.
Maintenance
Preventive maintenance
Routine, scheduled upkeep done to keep building systems working and catch problems before they become expensive.
Accounting & tax
Operating expense
The recurring costs of running a rental — like management, insurance, taxes, utilities, and repairs — excluding the mortgage.
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