You got the gig. Then they asked for a COI.
You quote the job, the client loves it, and then comes the email: "Can you send over your COI before we get started?" If you've been flying commercially for a while, this is routine. If you're newer to the work, it can feel like a pop quiz you didn't study for. Either way, knowing exactly what a COI is and what your client actually needs will save you time and help you look like you do this every day.
What a COI actually is
A Certificate of Insurance is a one-page document that summarizes your active insurance policy. It's not the full policy itself. Think of it as a snapshot that proves coverage exists.
That document shows your name as the insured, the insurance company providing the coverage, the policy number, the effective and expiration dates, and the type and limits of coverage you carry. For most commercial drone work, the coverage your client cares about is drone liability insurance, which covers third-party bodily injury and property damage.
Clients ask for this because they want confirmation that if something goes wrong on their property or at their event, they're not the ones holding the bill.
Why clients care about your coverage limits
Not every client has the same requirements, but a common threshold you'll run into is $1 million in general liability coverage. Larger commercial clients, property managers, event venues, and production companies often set this as a baseline before they'll let you on site.
If your current policy doesn't hit that number, you may lose the gig or need to upgrade before you can move forward. This is worth knowing before you're standing in a parking lot trying to figure out why your COI got rejected.
Part 107 drone insurance is typically what commercial operators carry to meet these requirements. Flying under Part 107 and holding a policy that reflects your operation makes the whole process go smoother when a client reviews your documentation.
What "additional insured" means and why clients ask for it
Sometimes a client doesn't just want to see proof of your coverage. They want to be added to it. This is what's called being listed as an additional insured on your policy.
When someone is named as an additional insured, they get a degree of protection under your policy if a claim arises from your work. It's common in drone insurance for client contracts, especially when working with corporations, municipalities, or anyone with a legal or risk management team involved in the approval process.
Adding an additional insured to your drone policy is usually straightforward depending on your provider. It's something worth confirming your coverage supports before you sign a contract that requires it.
How fast can you actually get a COI?
With SkyWatch, you can get your COI the same day you purchase coverage, often within minutes. There's no waiting around for a broker to process paperwork or call you back.
That kind of turnaround matters. When a client is ready to move and just needs documentation to give their team the green light, being able to send a drone insurance certificate immediately puts you ahead of operators who are still waiting on theirs. It builds confidence fast and keeps projects on schedule.
If you're ready to get covered and have your COI ready for the next client who asks, get a quote in minutes and keep the work moving.
