Five minutes of checking can save you a lot of trouble. Here is what to ask for, what to look at and how to confirm it.
Most people never ask a service company for proof of insurance. It feels awkward, or it simply does not occur to them. But it only takes a few minutes, and it can matter a great deal if a ladder slips, a window cracks or someone is hurt while working at your home.
This guide walks through what to ask for, how to read what you receive and how to confirm it is genuine. It is general guidance, not legal or insurance advice. For questions about your own coverage, check with your insurer or an attorney.
Why does it matter if a service company is insured?
When a company works on your property, accidents are rare but possible. Pressure washers can etch surfaces, ladders can mark siding, and debris can damage a car or a neighbor's fence. If the company is properly insured, its policy is generally the first place to look for help.
If it is not insured, the situation can get complicated quickly. You may end up dealing with the cost yourself, filing on your own homeowners policy or trying to recover money from a small business that does not have it. A quick check up front avoids most of that uncertainty.
When should I ask for proof of insurance?
The best time to ask is when you accept the quote, before you agree on a date. At that point the company is still earning your business, and there is time to sort out any gaps without rushing. Asking the morning of the job puts everyone under pressure and makes it harder to say no if something looks wrong.
It is worth asking every time you use a new company, and again once a year for anyone who comes regularly, such as a lawn, pool or cleaning service. Policies renew, change and sometimes lapse, so a certificate from last season may no longer reflect today's coverage.
What is a certificate of insurance?
A certificate of insurance, often called a COI, is a one or two page summary of a business's coverage. It is usually issued by the company's insurance agent or broker. A legitimate business can send one quickly, often the same day you ask.
A COI typically shows the name of the insured business, the insurance company, the agent or broker, the policy numbers, the policy start and end dates, and the coverage limits for each type of insurance. It is a summary, not the policy itself, but it gives you what you need to confirm coverage exists.
What should I look for on the certificate?
Once you have the certificate, take a minute to read it properly rather than just filing it away. A few details tell you most of what you need to know.
- The business name matches the company you are booking, not a different or similar name
- The policy dates cover the day of your service, not just the day the certificate was printed
- General liability coverage is listed
- Workers compensation is listed if the company has workers on site, or there is a clear explanation if it does not
- Commercial auto coverage is listed if vehicles or trailers will be on your property
- The insurer and agent contact details are filled in and legible
General liability and workers compensation, explained simply
General liability is the coverage most homeowners care about first. It is designed to respond when the business damages your property or injures someone who is not one of its workers, such as you or a guest.
Workers compensation is designed to cover injuries to the company's own workers. If a company has people working for it and they are hurt on your property without that coverage, questions about responsibility can become harder to answer. Rules about who must carry workers compensation vary, so if you are unsure how this applies to a particular job, ask your insurer or an attorney.
Coverage limits matter too. There is no single right number for every job, but a larger or riskier job, such as roof cleaning or work at height, is a reasonable time to ask whether the limits feel appropriate.
How do I verify a certificate of insurance is real?
Certificates can be outdated, and occasionally they are altered. The most reliable step is to contact the insurance agent or insurer listed on the certificate, using contact details you can confirm independently, and ask them to verify that the policy is active.
You can also ask the company to have its agent send the certificate to you directly. A certificate that comes straight from the agent is harder to tamper with than one forwarded as a photo or screenshot.
Should I ask to be listed on the certificate?
For larger jobs, some homeowners ask to be named as the certificate holder, which means the certificate is issued specifically to them. Some also ask to be added as an additional insured, which can extend certain protections under the company's policy. Whether that is worthwhile depends on the job and your situation, so it is worth a quick conversation with your own insurer.
Keep the certificate with your other home records, alongside the quote and any photos. If a question comes up after the job, you will have everything in one place.
Red flags to watch for
- The company avoids the question or promises to send proof later and never does
- The certificate is expired, or expires before your service date
- The name on the certificate does not match the business you are dealing with. Thoro Clean partners' certificates show the partner's own business name.
- The certificate looks edited, blurry or incomplete
- You are told insurance is not needed because the job is small
- The company asks you to sign something waiving responsibility for damage
None of these automatically means a company is dishonest, but each one is a good reason to pause and ask more questions before anyone starts work.
Every Thoro Clean partner is vetted and confirmed insured before they are assigned a job, so you do not have to chase certificates yourself. A local partner pro does the work, you receive photos when it is finished, and every visit is backed by our 7-Day Service Guarantee: if something is not right, tell us within seven days and we make it right.
