Professional liability insurance certificate

When your business secures a professional liability insurance policy, you'll receive a certificate of insurance. This certificate contains key information about your 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 professional liability insurance, also called errors and omissions insurance (E&O).

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, a professional liability certificate of insurance provides a concise summary of your coverage, all on one page.

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

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.

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 professional liability.

Your certificate may also specify the work your business does. For professional liability insurance, this defines the scope of your coverage (e.g., an architect is covered for designing buildings, but not for providing legal advice).

A professional liability certificate of insurance can open up business opportunities. For example, your certificate can help you:

A certificate of liability insurance proves to potential clients and business partners that you have professional liability 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.

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 professional liability 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.

After you buy a policy, you can download or request a professional liability 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.