Insurance Resources
How Long Does It Take to Get a Certificate of Insurance?
If your policy is already active, a COI can be in your inbox within minutes. If you need a new policy first, same-day binding is often possible. Here is exactly what to expect — and what can slow things down.
Timeline
How Long It Actually Takes
Active Policy: Minutes
If you already have an active workers comp, GL, or commercial auto policy with Bright Coast, we can email a COI within minutes of receiving your request. No underwriting required — just a quick form fill.
New Standard Policy: Same Day
For most Florida contractors needing GL, workers comp, or commercial auto, we can bind a new policy and issue the COI the same day. Standard trades with clean loss histories qualify for same-day binding.
Complex Accounts: 1–3 Days
High-risk trades, large payrolls, prior claims, or non-standard coverage requests may require carrier underwriting review. These typically take 1–3 business days from application to COI.
What Can Delay It
Common Reasons a COI Takes Longer
Delays to watch for
- Adding a new additional insured that requires carrier approval
- Requesting non-standard certificate language (e.g., waiver of subrogation)
- Needing a new policy that requires underwriting (high-risk trade, prior claims)
- Requesting outside of business hours or on weekends
- Missing information — certificate holder name, address, or project details
- Carrier systems are down or experiencing delays
- Policy is pending renewal and the new policy is not yet bound
- Requesting a COI for a project in a state where you are not yet licensed
What You Need
Information Required to Issue a COI
Have this ready when you request a COI
- Certificate holder: Full legal name and mailing address of the party requesting the COI
- Additional insured: Whether the certificate holder needs to be added as an additional insured on your policy
- Project name: If the COI is for a specific contract or project
- Coverage requirements: Any specific limits required by the contract (e.g., $2M GL, $1M WC)
- Special endorsements: Waiver of subrogation, primary and non-contributory, or other non-standard language
Need a COI Fast?
Bright Coast issues same-day certificates for all active policyholders. New policies can often be bound and certificated the same day.