Everything truckers need to know about Certificates of Insurance — what a COI is, who needs one, what it must contain, types of coverage, minimum requirements, how to get a COI from your insurer, and when you need one for renting a trailer.
return ( What Is a Certificate of Insurance (COI)? A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is a document issued by your insurance company that provides proof of your insurance coverage.
It's not the policy itself — it's a snapshot that summarizes your coverage, including policy numbers, coverage types, effective dates, and limits.
A COI is typically a one-page document (usually an ACORD 25 form — the industry standard) that a third party can quickly review to verify you're insured.
Think of it as a receipt that says "yes, this person/company has active insurance coverage with these limits." Who Needs a COI? In trucking, you'll be asked for a COI constantly.
Here's who typically requests them: Freight brokers — Before booking you on any load, brokers will request a COI verifying your liability and cargo insurance.
This is usually done through a service like Carrier411, MyCarrierPackets, RMIS, or Highway.
Shippers and receivers — Many shippers require a COI before you can enter their facility or transport their freight.
Trailer rental companies — Motor Carrier Leasing requires a COI when you're leased on to another carrier, naming us as additional insured on the carrier's policy.
Truck stops and parking facilities — Some facilities require proof of insurance.
Government contracts — Any government or military freight requires COI documentation.
The carrier you're leased on to — If you're an owner-operator leased to a carrier, they may require a COI for your physical damage insurance on your truck.
What a COI Must Contain A properly issued COI includes the following information: Named Insured This is you (or your company).
The named insured is the entity that holds the insurance policy.
It must match your legal business name exactly — if your LLC is "Smith Trucking LLC," the COI should show "Smith Trucking LLC," not "John Smith" or "Smith Trucking." Additional Insured An additional insured is a third party added to the policy for a specific purpose.
When Motor Carrier Leasing asks to be named as "additional insured," it means your insurance policy extends certain coverage protections to MCL while you're using our trailer.
Being named as additional insured is different from being the named insured.
The additional insured benefits from the policy's coverage but doesn't own or control the policy.
Certificate Holder The certificate holder is the entity requesting the COI.
This is the person or company who receives the document.
The certificate holder is listed on the COI so they know the document was issued specifically for them, but being listed as certificate holder alone does NOT extend any insurance coverage — it just means they received a copy of the certificate.
For trailer rental purposes, Motor Carrier Leasing needs to be listed as additional insured , not merely the certificate holder.
This is an important distinction.
Policy Information Insurance company name and NAIC number Policy number for each coverage type Effective and expiration dates Coverage .
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