Free tool
Insurance certificate checklist
By Umair Nawaz, founder of Lirevon Updated How we test tools
A homeowner or property manager asks: "Can you send your certificate of insurance?" Be ready the same day. Enter what you carry and what they ask for, tick off the checklist, and get a gap check, a to-do list and a message for your agent. Print it or copy it.
Short explanation, not legal or insurance advice. Your policy and your licensed agent have the final word.
1. Who is asking
2. Limits: what you carry vs what they ask for
The dollar amounts below are starting points only, change them. Take "you carry" from your policy and "they ask for" from their request or contract. Put 0 if they did not ask.
3. Policy end dates
From your policy or your current certificate. The tool counts the days left so you can ask for new certificates in time.
4. The checklist
Tick each line you can say yes to today. Lines that do not apply to you, tick them too.
Certificate readiness
Your tree company
Checklist done
–
Limit gaps
–
Still to do
A checklist to get ready, built from what you entered. Not legal or insurance advice. Your policy and your licensed agent decide what is covered.
Message to your agent
Built from your answers. Copy it into a text or email to your agent so they can send the right certificate the first time.
How the checklist works
- Limit gap = what they ask for − what you carry, for each line. If the result is above zero, you are short by that amount. If they asked for 0, the line shows "not asked".
- Limit gaps = the number of lines where you are short.
- Checklist done = lines ticked ÷ all lines on the checklist, shown as a percent.
- Days left = policy end date − today. 30 days or less shows "renews soon"; below zero shows "expired".
- Still to do = every line you have not ticked, plus any limit gap, any expired date and any extra wording the customer asked for.
Nothing here checks your real policy. It only compares the numbers and ticks you enter.
Questions about insurance certificates
Short explanations, not legal or insurance advice.
What is a certificate of insurance?
It is a one-page document that lists your insurance policies, the insurer, policy numbers, dates and limits. Customers ask for it as proof you are insured before you work on their property. It is a summary only. Your actual coverage is set by the policies themselves. Short explanation, not legal or insurance advice.
Who makes the certificate, me or my agent?
Your insurance agent, broker or insurer issues it. Most agents can send one quickly when you give them the certificate holder name and address and tell them what the customer asked for. Use the request message in this tool to ask for everything in one go.
What insurance do homeowners and property managers usually ask a tree company for?
Most ask for general liability first, and many also ask for workers' comp. Commercial customers and property managers often add commercial auto, set minimum limits, and ask to be named additional insured. Their contract or request letter is the real list, so read it and enter their numbers in the tool.
What does additional insured mean?
It means the customer gets some protection under your policy for claims that come from your work for them. It is usually added by an endorsement on your policy, and your agent must set it up. Writing their name on the certificate is not the same thing. Short explanation, not legal or insurance advice; ask your agent what your policy allows.
What is a waiver of subrogation?
Normally, after your insurer pays a claim, it can try to get that money back from someone else who caused the loss. A waiver of subrogation means your insurer gives up that right against the customer. Some contracts require it. It is added to the policy, often for a fee, so ask your agent. Short explanation, not legal advice.
What does primary and non-contributory mean?
It means your policy pays first for a covered claim from your work, before the customer's own insurance is asked to help. Property managers and commercial clients sometimes require it in their contracts. Your agent has to confirm your policy can include it. Short explanation, not legal advice.
What limits should my tree company carry?
We cannot tell you that; it depends on your work, your state, your customers and your insurer. The numbers in this tool are starting points only, so change them. Enter what you carry and what each customer asks for, and the tool shows any gap. Then talk to a licensed agent.
Do I need workers' comp if I work alone?
It depends on your state. Some states let an owner with no employees skip it or file for an exemption, and others have different rules. The moment someone else works on your crew, check your state's rules again. Many customers still ask for proof of coverage or an exemption form. Short explanation, not legal advice.
Does my general liability policy cover tree removal?
Not always. Some policies written for lawn or landscape companies limit or exclude tree work, for example removals or work above a set height. Read the exclusions on your policy and ask your agent to confirm in writing that the work you do is covered.
Is my personal auto policy enough for my work truck?
Often it is not. Personal auto policies can limit or exclude business use, and many commercial customers ask for commercial auto on the certificate. Ask your agent how your trucks, trailers and towed equipment are covered.
How often should I update my certificates?
At least each time a policy renews, because the dates on the old certificate run out. If you have repeat customers or property managers, send them a new certificate before the old one expires. The tool shows how many days are left on each policy when you enter the dates.
Is anything I type sent to Lirevon?
No. Everything runs in your browser. Your answers are only kept in this browser on this device so the form is filled in next time. Clear your browser data to remove them.
Learn more: certificate of insurance, additional insured and general liability insurance in plain words. Starting out? See Lirevon for new tree companies or browse quick answers.
Ready when they ask
Send proof fast. Then catch every call.
Property managers and homeowners who ask for a certificate are often ready to book. Lirevon sets up missed-call text-back, an AI receptionist, follow-ups and review requests for tree companies, so those leads do not slip away.