Proof before the project
How to verify a contractor’s insurance
A certificate of insurance is evidence to examine, not a promise that every accident, worker, subcontractor, or part of your project is covered.
Ask for current proof, not an old attachment
Request a certificate or agency-issued evidence dated for the current decision. A document from a prior job can be authentic and still be expired, cancelled, or issued to a different business.
The FTC tells homeowners to ask for proof of insurance. The California Department of Insurance says a certificate should show the insurance company, policy number, and policy limits.
Match the named insured to the business you are hiring
Compare the exact named insured with the quote, contract, license holder, business entity, and payee. A trade name may be legitimate, but the relationship between the trade name and insured legal entity should be clear.
Read the policy dates and coverage categories
Check whether the policy is in effect during the expected project period. General liability and workers’ compensation address different risks. A certificate that lists one does not establish the other. Ask your own insurance professional what protection your project and state require.
Verify through the agency or insurer
Do not rely only on contact information typed into an email by the contractor. Review the agency shown on the certificate and compare its contact information with an independent business source. Ask whether the policy is current and whether the document details align with the agency’s record.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners advises consumers to call the insurance company to verify coverage.
Record the response accurately
“Certificate received,” “agency confirmed current,” and “agency did not respond” are three different facts. Do not convert silence into proof of no insurance, and do not convert a received PDF into a guarantee of coverage.
Know what verification cannot establish
Even a current policy can contain exclusions, conditions, deductibles, classification limits, or cancellation provisions. A homeowner verification service cannot interpret coverage for a future claim. For that, consult the issuing insurance professional and your own insurer.