Free · Validity guide · United States
How long is a certificate of insurance valid?
Until the policy expires
A certificate of insurance has no validity period of its own. It is a snapshot of the policies listed, and each line shows a policy effective and expiration date. Once a listed policy expires, renews or is canceled, ask for a new certificate. Many business policies run for 12 months.
Work out your COI expiration date
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Or simply track the earliest POLICY EXP date shown on the certificate.
The insurer sets each policy period. Track the earliest date in the POLICY EXP column; 12 months is only a common term. Use 6 months for short-term policies.
Enter a date to see when it expires, how many days are left, when to book the renewal, and to add reminders to your calendar.
Who needs a COI
Businesses that hire contractors, vendors or tenants and ask for proof of insurance, and the policyholders who provide it. A COI is usually required by a contract or lease rather than by law. It shows the policies in force, their limits and dates. The standard ACORD form states that it is issued as a matter of information only and does not change the coverage in the policies.
What happens if it expires
- An old certificate does not prove current coverage. If a listed policy has expired and the vendor has not sent a new certificate, you have no evidence they are insured.
- If an uninsured contractor causes a loss, you may struggle to recover it from their insurer, and your own policy or contract may be exposed.
- Notice of cancellation is only sent to the certificate holder if the policy provides it. The certificate itself cannot create that right.
How to renew
Track the earliest expiration date
A COI often lists several policies (general liability, auto, umbrella, workers’ compensation) with different dates. The earliest POLICY EXP date is your renewal trigger.
Request the new certificate before that date
Ask the vendor or their agent for an updated certificate showing the renewed policy period.
Check it against your contract
Compare limits, additional insured and waiver of subrogation boxes with what your contract requires. The certificate can only show what the policy actually contains.
Ask for endorsements when it matters
If you need proof you are an additional insured, ask for a copy of the endorsement. A certificate on its own confers no rights.
When to book
4
weeks
Request the renewed certificate about 30 days before the earliest policy expiration date. This is our suggestion, not a legal rule.
A simple reminder plan: 60 days, 30 days, 7 days, 0 days before the expiration date. The calculator above puts these in your calendar.
Evidence to keep
- The current certificate for each vendor, with the earliest POLICY EXP date recorded.
- Copies of additional insured and waiver of subrogation endorsements you rely on.
- The contract clause that sets the insurance requirement.
Common mistakes
- Filing the COI once at onboarding and never asking again.
- Tracking only the general liability date and missing an earlier auto or workers’ compensation expiration.
- Treating a checked "Additional Insured" box as proof without seeing the endorsement.
- Asking the agent to add wording the policy does not contain. In Texas, a certificate may not alter, amend or extend the coverage in the policy.
Other jurisdictions
Texas
For risks located in Texas, certificates must use a form filed with and approved by the Texas Department of Insurance. A certificate may not refer to requirements in other contracts, and violations can bring civil penalties of up to $1,000 for each infraction.[2]
When you would rather not remember
What this looks like when it runs itself
Add the date once and give it an owner. ExpiryEdge reminds them before it lapses, on the channel they actually read, and keeps the certificate and a record of who did what.
Try it with your own dates, free for 14 days, no cardExpiryEdge · Tracked item
COI · Roofing subcontractor, general liability
ValidOwner
Procurement lead
Expires
1 year after issue
Reminders before expiration
60d
30d
7d
0d
Due
COI questions, answered
Not on its own. It shows the effective and expiration date of each policy listed. When a listed policy expires or renews, the certificate no longer shows current coverage, so ask for a new one.
Whenever any listed policy renews, which for many business policies is every 12 months, and whenever the contract changes. Track the earliest expiration date on the certificate.
Not by itself. The standard form says it is issued as a matter of information only and confers no rights on the certificate holder. Ask for a copy of the additional insured endorsement.
Only if the policy or an endorsement gives you that right. Texas guidance says a certificate cannot go beyond the notice requirements in the policy.
Sources
Every rule on this page comes from these official sources.
1.
Sample certificate of liability insurance (ACORD 25)New York State Office of General Services · ogs.ny.gov · checked 28 Sep 2026
2.
Certificates of insurance: frequently asked questionsTexas Department of Insurance · tdi.texas.gov · checked 28 Sep 2026
3.
Property and casualty certificates of insuranceTexas Department of Insurance · tdi.texas.gov · checked 28 Sep 2026
Guidance, not legal advice. This covers United States and reflects the sources as checked on 28 Sep 2026. Check the official source or take professional advice for your situation.