What is a Certificate of Insurance (COI) in Trucking? A Trucking Insurance Guide

A Certificate of Insurance (COI) in trucking is a standardized one-page summary document — typically an ACORD 25 form — that proves your trucking operation carries active insurance coverage. It lists your insurer, policy numbers, coverage types, limits, and effective dates, giving freight brokers, shippers, and regulators a quick way to verify you’re covered without reviewing your full policy.

What Is a Certificate of Insurance in Trucking?

A Certificate of Insurance (COI) in trucking is issued by your insurance broker or carrier and summarizes your current policy coverages. The most common format is the ACORD 25 form, a nationally recognized standard. It shows:

• Your business name and address (the “insured”)
• Your insurance carrier name
• Policy numbers for each line of coverage
• Coverage types (auto liability, general liability, motor truck cargo, etc.)
• Per-occurrence and aggregate limits
• Policy effective and expiration dates
• The certificate holder (the entity requesting proof of insurance)

According to Nazar Mamaev, trucking insurance specialist at Full Coverage LLC, “The COI is the most requested document in the trucking industry. Brokers won’t release loads without it, and carriers need it on file before you haul their freight. Getting COIs out quickly is one of the most important services a brokerage provides.”

How Does a Trucking COI Work?

When a freight broker or shipper agrees to use your trucking services, they’ll require proof that you carry the minimum coverages required by their contract — and by federal law. You (or your insurance agent) generate a COI naming them as the “certificate holder.” This does not give them any special rights under your policy; it simply notifies them that coverage exists.

Some contracts require additional insured status, meaning the broker or shipper is added to your policy and can make a claim against it. This is different from simply being listed as a certificate holder and requires an endorsement from your carrier.

Who Needs a COI in Trucking?

Virtually every trucking operator needs to provide COIs regularly. The most common situations include:

• Owner-operators – Required by freight brokers before accepting loads
• Fleet operators – Required by shippers, dedicated contract partners, and terminal operators
• New authority carriers – Must file proof of financial responsibility with FMCSA via Form BMC-91 or BMC-91X (separate from a COI, but your agent handles both)
• Lease operators – The motor carrier they lease to may require certificates showing their own coverage as additional insured
• Intermodal operators – Port authorities and rail terminals require COIs naming them as certificate holders

What Coverages Appear on a Trucking COI?

A typical trucking COI lists several coverage types. Understanding what each section means helps you confirm you have what’s required:

• Commercial Auto Liability – The primary liability coverage required by FMCSA. Minimums: $750,000 for most dry van operations; $1 million for hazmat; $300,000 for lighter vehicles.
• Motor Truck Cargo – Covers the freight you’re hauling if it’s damaged or lost. Shippers often require $100,000 minimum.
• General Liability – Covers non-trucking incidents at loading docks, terminals, and client locations. Not always required but increasingly common.
• Physical Damage – Covers your truck and trailer. Not always listed on COIs unless the lienholder (bank/leasing company) is listed.

COI Costs and What to Watch For

Issuing a COI is free — it’s a service your insurance brokerage provides as part of managing your policy. However, adding additional insured endorsements may cost $25–$150 per endorsement depending on your carrier. Some carriers allow blanket additional insured endorsements that cover all standard commercial agreements for a flat annual fee.

Watch out for brokers who request coverage limits you don’t carry. If a broker requires $1 million auto liability but your policy has $750,000, you’ll need to increase limits before the COI can reflect the required amount. Limit increases typically cost $200–$600 per year depending on your operation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking COIs

What is a Certificate of Insurance (COI) in trucking?

A COI in trucking is a one-page ACORD 25 document issued by your insurer proving your active coverage, limits, and policy dates to brokers, shippers, and regulators.

How long does it take to get a COI for trucking?

At Full Coverage LLC, we issue certificates same-day, often within 30 minutes during business hours. Digital delivery via email is standard.

Do I need a new COI for every load?

No. Your COI covers your entire policy period. You only need a new one when certificate holder information changes or when you add a new broker/shipper requiring their name on the document.

Get Your Trucking COI Issued Fast

Need a certificate of insurance for trucking fast? Full Coverage Insurance handles COI requests same-day for all active policyholders. Get a quote or request a certificate at myfullcoverage.com or call 317-427-5599.