Need to Request a Certificate of Insurance?
We’ve Got You Covered.
Certificates of Insurance (COIs) are often viewed as routine administrative documents, but they can create significant liability exposure when issued incorrectly. For that reason, we want to remind all brokers of our required procedures regarding COI requests for PEO, Staffing, and certain other specialty programs.
Do Not Issue COIs for PEO or Staffing Programs
Brokers and agency personnel should not issue Certificates of Insurance on behalf of insureds participating in our PEO or Staffing programs. These programs contain unique coverage structures, employment relationships, and policy limitations that require specialized review before a certificate can be released.
Why This Process Matters
The wording and format of a COI are critically important. A certificate that is issued incorrectly, contains inaccurate information, or fails to disclose program limitations can create confusion for certificate holders and potentially expose both the broker and the insured to unnecessary risk.
Our online COI request process includes important disclosures regarding:
- Coverage limitations
- Employment relationships
- Program-specific restrictions
- Certificate holder acknowledgments
- Documentation requirements
These disclosures help ensure that insureds and certificate holders understand the scope of coverage being represented and provide documentation demonstrating that these limitations have been communicated.
Protecting Your Agency’s E&O Exposure
One of the most common sources of agency Errors & Omissions (E&O) claims involves improperly issued Certificates of Insurance. A certificate holder may rely on information contained in a COI when making business decisions, entering contracts, or granting site access.
If a certificate is issued without proper review or does not accurately reflect the coverage provided, the broker who issued the document may be drawn into a dispute—even when coverage was never intended to apply.
For this reason, we strongly encourage all brokers to avoid issuing certificates for these programs and instead utilize our formal request process.
Communication Guidelines
Please do not call or email our office with new COI requests. All requests should be submitted through the COI Request Portal so that the proper disclosures, documentation, and review procedures are completed.
Our staff will be happy to assist with questions regarding an existing request. If you need to discuss a COI, please reference the request that was submitted through the portal so we can quickly locate the file and provide assistance.
Thank You
We appreciate your cooperation in following these procedures. These safeguards help protect our insureds, certificate holders, brokers, and carrier partners while ensuring that Certificates of Insurance are issued accurately and consistently.
If you have questions regarding the COI process, please contact our office after submitting your request through the portal.