How to Read a Contractor’s Certificate of Insurance in Minnesota

A contractor’s certificate of insurance is supposed to make you feel safe. But if you don’t know what you’re looking at, it’s just a piece of paper. Here’s how Minnesota homeowners can check coverage, spot red flags, and avoid being left uncovered when something goes wrong.

Most contractors are honest. They send over a certificate of insurance (COI), you glance at it, see some numbers, and call it good.

The problem? We see certificates every month that are expired, missing key coverage, or written for a completely different business than the one standing in your driveway. In a serious accident, that gap can leave you and your household on the hook.

This guide walks through the parts of a COI that matter most for Minnesota homeowners—the business name, dates, limits, and what’s actually covered—so you can stop guessing and start asking better questions before you hire.

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Bottom line: A real certificate of insurance should prove that the right company has the right coverage for the work they’re doing on your property today—not last year, not “in general.” If any of those pieces don’t line up, it’s time to tap the brakes.

Know what a certificate of insurance is—and what it isn’t

A certificate of insurance is a summary document. It shows who the policyholder is, what types of insurance they carry, the coverage limits, and when those policies start and end.

Just as important: a COI is not the full policy and it does not guarantee the policy is still active at the moment someone pulls into your driveway. Contractors can cancel insurance mid-year, change carriers, or let coverage lapse without the certificate ever updating.

Think of the COI as a snapshot. It’s your starting point for questions—not the final word on whether everything is covered.

MNCC TIP If a contractor hesitates to send a COI at all—or only offers a blurry screenshot—treat that as a major red flag. A professional contractor can have their agent email a fresh copy in minutes.

Match the business name to what’s on the truck, quote, and license

The first thing to check on a COI isn’t the dollar amount—it’s the name.

The business name on the certificate should match:

• The name on their quote or proposal
• The name on their website and truck (or very close)
• The name they use on Minnesota licensing or business registration

If you’re hiring “North Shore Roofing LLC” but the COI is for “North Shore Services” with no roofing language anywhere, that’s a problem. It could mean borrowed insurance, a different company, or coverage written for work they’re not actually doing for you.

MNCC TIP Ask the contractor, “Is this the exact business name on your license and contracts?” If they brush it off with “it’s close enough,” it usually isn’t.

Check the effective and expiration dates like you would milk in the fridge

The dates on a COI are where a lot of Minnesota homeowners get burned. A contractor emails last year’s certificate, everyone forgets to look, and work starts on an expired policy.

On the certificate, find the column that lists:

• Policy effective date (start date)
• Policy expiration date (end date)

You want those dates to clearly cover the time work will be performed. If the policy expires in a few weeks, ask for an updated COI once it renews. If the dates are already in the past, stop the process until you get current proof.

MNCC TIP A simple line to use: “Can you have your agent send me an updated certificate that covers the full span of the project?” It’s a reasonable, professional request—and a good test of how they operate.

Look at liability limits and make sure they fit the size of the job

For most residential work in Minnesota, you’ll commonly see general liability limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate. That’s a normal, healthy starting point—not overkill.

These limits are what help cover things like:

• A tree dropped on a garage or vehicle
• A roofing mistake that causes water damage
• An equipment accident that damages siding, windows, or neighbors’ property

If the liability limits are unusually low, missing, or written for a totally different kind of work than what they’re doing for you, that’s your cue to ask questions.

MNCC TIP You don’t have to be an insurance expert. Try this: “Are these limits typical for the work you’re doing at my home, and would you recommend higher limits for a project like this?” Their answer will tell you a lot about their risk awareness.

Confirm workers’ comp and commercial auto are actually in place

Two line items matter a lot and are easy to overlook: workers’ compensation and commercial auto.

• Workers’ comp helps cover injuries to employees on your jobsite—ladder falls, saw accidents, lifting injuries, and more.
• Commercial auto covers trucks, trailers, and equipment being used for business, not just personal driving.

If the COI shows “exempt” or “not applicable” for workers’ comp, ask the contractor if they truly have no employees and only work alone. If two or three people show up to work and there’s no WC coverage anywhere, that’s a serious mismatch.

MNCC TIP Ask in writing: “Will there ever be anyone on my property helping you who is not covered by this policy?” You want a clear, written “no”—or a better explanation—before work starts.

Have the agent send it, keep it with your contract, and watch for red flags

The cleanest way to handle COIs is simple: ask the contractor’s insurance agent to email a copy directly to you, with your name or property listed as the certificate holder.

As you review it, watch for these red flags:

• Business name doesn’t match the name on the quote or truck
• Expired dates or policies that end before your project timeline
• No clear mention of the type of work they’re doing for you
• “We’ll get you an updated one later” but later never comes

Once everything checks out, save the COI with your contract, invoices, and photos. If there’s ever a claim or a question later, you’ll be glad you have the full paper trail.

MNCC TIP Create a digital “Contractors – Insurance” folder and drop your COIs, contracts, and before/after photos in one place. It makes future projects—and future verification—much faster.

Before you sign a contract or hand over a deposit, make sure the company on your driveway is the same company listed on the policy—and that the coverage matches the work.

Insurance & Contract Backup

Get a second set of eyes on your contractor’s insurance before you hire.

Minnesota Contractor Check reviews your contractor’s licensing, insurance, and core paperwork—so you know exactly who you’re hiring and how well you’re protected if something goes sideways.

✓ License, business, and policy cross-check
✓ COI and key coverage items reviewed
✓ Plain-English summary and red-flag notes

Start a Contractor Check →