At some point, almost every commercial drone operator hears the same thing from a client: "We need a certificate of insurance before you can start." And if you've never dealt with one before, it can feel like a bureaucratic wall between you and the job.
We get questions about this constantly, so we put together a clear breakdown of what a COI actually is, what clients are really asking for, and what you need to have ready before you show up on site.
What is a certificate of insurance?
A certificate of insurance, usually called a COI, is a one-page document that summarizes your active insurance coverage. It lists your insurer, your policy number, the types of coverage you carry, your coverage limits, and the policy's effective dates.
It does not modify your policy. It does not create new coverage. It is simply proof that a policy exists. Think of it like a summary card for your commercial drone insurance that you can hand to anyone who needs to verify it.
Most standard drone liability policies allow you to generate or request a COI from your insurer or through your insurance platform. If you carry an annual policy, your insurer typically provides this on demand. If you fly on-demand, check whether your provider issues COIs for individual sessions or only for ongoing policies.
Why clients ask for it
When a company hires a contractor, they take on some risk. If something goes wrong on their property or job site and you caused it, they want to know you have coverage to handle it. The COI lets them verify that without having to read through your entire policy.
It's standard practice in real estate, construction, events, film production, and any corporate work. If you're flying on commercial jobs, getting comfortable with the COI process is just part of running a professional operation.
What "additional insured" means
This is where operators get confused most often. Beyond just asking for a COI, many clients will ask to be listed as an "additional insured" on your policy.
This is a meaningful step beyond proof of coverage. When a client is added as an additional insured, your policy extends some level of protection to them for covered incidents involving your drone work. If your drone causes damage on their job site and someone sues both of you, your policy may cover their legal defense costs as well.
Not every drone insurance policy includes this automatically. Some require it to be added with an endorsement, and some platforms let you enter the client's information and generate an updated COI that reflects their additional insured status. Check your policy terms before you promise a client this will be included.
Get it before the job, not the morning of
One mistake operators make is waiting until the last minute to sort out COI paperwork. Clients need time to review it, their vendor management team may need to approve it, and if anything is missing or formatted incorrectly, there can be back-and-forth that delays your start.
If you're quoting a job, ask the client early what their insurance requirements are. Find out the minimum liability limit they need, whether they require additional insured status, and who to address the certificate to. Having this information upfront saves a lot of scrambling the night before a shoot.
Some contracts also specify that the COI must list a specific address, project name, or description of operations. These details matter and take time to coordinate with your insurer.
A quick checklist before your next job
Before you start any commercial project, run through this:
- Confirm what liability limit the client requires (typically $1M per occurrence minimum)
- Ask if they need to be listed as additional insured
- Find out who the certificate should be addressed to
- Request the COI from your insurer with enough lead time
- Double-check that your policy is active for the dates of the work
None of this is complicated once you've done it a few times. But the first time a client asks for a COI with additional insured two days before a job, it can feel like a lot. Getting ahead of it becomes second nature quickly.
Frequently asked questions
What is a COI and why do clients ask for it?
A certificate of insurance is a one-page summary document that confirms you have active insurance coverage. Clients ask for it to verify that you're insured before allowing you to work on their property or project. It lists your coverage types, limits, insurer, and policy dates.
Does getting a COI cost extra?
In most cases, no. If you carry an active commercial drone insurance policy, your insurer can typically issue a COI at no additional charge. Some platforms let you generate one directly through the app or portal. The process usually takes minutes once your policy is active.
What does it mean to add someone as an additional insured?
Adding a client as an additional insured means your policy extends some protection to them for incidents related to your drone work. It's more than just proof of coverage. It means they're partially covered under your policy, not just notified of its existence. Some policies include this by default; others require a separate endorsement.
How much liability coverage do I need for a client to accept my COI?
Most commercial clients require a minimum of $1 million per occurrence. Higher-risk environments like construction sites, events, or government contracts may require $2 million or more. Always confirm the required limit before assuming $1 million is enough for a specific job.
Can I get a COI if I only fly on-demand insurance?
This depends on your provider. Some on-demand policies are designed for individual flights and may not issue a formal COI in the way annual policies do. If you regularly need to provide proof of insurance to clients, an annual policy often makes the COI process simpler and faster. Ask your provider what documentation they can supply before a job requires it.
