What is a COI (Certificate of Insurance)?
A COI is a
certificate, letter, or document which shows the insurance coverage(s) that an insured has in
place at the time the COI was issued. In other words, it is proof of coverage. It is usually
issued by an insurance company, insurance agent, or broker. A COI is usually issued when the
University is dealing with an outside vendor or facility.
What should I do if I am renting a vehicle for University business and the rental agency asks for proof of coverage because I turned down their offer of Physical Damage insurance (CDW or PDW)?
IRM has wallet
size rental car insurance cards which you can present to the rental agency as proof of coverage.
Simply call IRM at 515-6135 to request a card or come by our office to pick one up.
If the rental agency requires a COI, our agent of record will issue one. You only need to email or fax IRM the
year, make, model, serial number, value, and date of coverage of the vehicle being leased. We
will also need the rental agency name, contact person, address, and fax number. A COI will be
issued and faxed to the rental agency and a copy faxed to us to forward to you. Use the Rental Vehicle Certificate Insurance Request
If my department is holding an event or function off campus at another facility or location, how do I show proof of liability to the host of that facility or location?
Property owners,
private landowners, or hosts usually request a COI from the University to verify our liability
coverage when using their facilities. There is no universal general liability insurance policy,
since the University self-insures through the N.C. Dept. of Insurance, therefore, there is no COI.
However, a Letter of Sovereign Immunity is issued as proof from the N.C. Department of Insurance
on the University’s behalf.
How do I obtain a COI or Letter showing proof of coverage?
To request a
letter or COI, send an email to any of the IRM staff or fax a request to 515-1538 including your
name, University department, and phone number. We will also need full name, address, phone number,
and fax number of the outside entity requiring the COI. Give us the name or description of the
event or activity, date the event or activity will take place, coverage to verify, i.e., general liability, auto
liability, workers compensation, etc., limits, and let us know if outside entity requires to be
named as Certificate Holder and/or Loss Payee. Once we have this information, a COI will be
issued and faxed to the outside entity with a copy faxed to us to forward to you. You need to
allow a minimum of five (5) working days to obtain a COI.
