Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance certificate

When your business secures an errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy, you'll receive a certificate of insurance. This certificate contains key information about your E&O policy and provides proof of insurance to your clients and licensing boards. This document can also lead to more business opportunities.

To see what one looks like, review this sample certificate of liability insurance [PDF].

A certificate of liability insurance is a document that certifies that your company has business liability insurance such as E&O insurance, also called professional liability insurance.

A certificate of insurance (COI) is not a legal document. It's more like an insurance card you carry in your wallet. But unlike an insurance card, an E&O certificate of insurance provides a concise summary of your E&O coverage, all on one page.

The information provided by the certificate of insurance falls into the following categories:

General information about you and your insurer. The top of the certificate identifies your business as the insured along with your business name and contact information. It also lists the insurance company providing your coverage.

Coverage information. The main section of the certificate outlines your business's insurance coverage, including your policy number, policy limits, deductible, and the effective date and expiration date of your coverage. It'll also outline coverage details, such as claims-made coverage in the case of E&O insurance.

Description of operations. Your certificate may also specify the work your business does. For errors and omissions insurance, this defines the scope of your coverage (e.g., a tax preparer is covered for preparing tax returns, but not for providing legal advice).

An E&O certificate of insurance can open up business opportunities. For example, your certificate can help you:

Secure contracts and clients. A certificate of liability insurance proves to potential clients and business partners that you have E&O coverage. Certain clients will require proof of insurance before contracting with you, and a certificate is an efficient and easy way to accomplish that. You can fax or email the document to a client in seconds.

Provide clients with peace of mind. At the bottom of your certificate is a box specifying the "certificate holder." If you arrange to have your client made an official certificate holder, they will receive notification from your insurer if you cancel your policy or allow it to lapse. Your clients will appreciate this guarantee of your insured status.

Complete Insureon’s easy online application today to compare errors and omissions insurance quotes from top-rated U.S. providers. Once you find the right policy for your small business, you can begin coverage in less than 24 hours.

Once you have you coverage, you can download or request an errors and omissions certificate from our Customer Portal. Insureon can additionally help you secure a general liability insurance certificate, workers' compensation insurance certificate, or any other insurance coverage that you need.