--- title: What Is a Certificate of Insurance? Moving Glossary url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/certificate-of-insurance/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving and storage glossary](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/) - Certificate of insurance # What is a certificate of insurance? A certificate of insurance, often called a COI, is a short document from an insurer that proves a company carries a policy, who is covered and for how long. A building manager asks for one before a mover may use the loading dock or elevator, and the mover's insurance office normally issues it. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) The certificate of insurance is paperwork about the mover, not about your goods. It answers the question a property manager, a hospital or a school asks before letting a crew inside: is this company insured? Your own protection for the household goods is a separate subject, covered under valuation. ## Two documents that sound alike A COI proves that a mover holds liability coverage. Valuation is the level of protection you choose for your belongings, either full value protection or the released rates option, which FMCSA lays out in its consumer booklet. Do not use one in place of the other. A COI will not tell you what happens to a damaged armoire, and the valuation election will not satisfy a building manager. There is also a third item. If you buy separate cargo insurance through your mover, 49 CFR 375.303(c) requires the mover to issue the policy or other appropriate evidence of the insurance at the time of sale. That is evidence of what you bought, a different thing from the building COI. ## When a building asks for one Apartment and condo managers, office landlords, senior living communities, hotels and dormitories commonly require a COI naming the property as an additional party. Each building writes its own wording, and each sets its own lead time, so the property manager is the person who defines what the certificate must say. On a commercial job, such as an office move or an FF&E delivery, the certificate is often required before the crew arrives. Your request starts a short chain: the manager sends the requirement, the mover sends it to its insurance contact, and the certificate comes back to the manager. ## What to send your mover - The exact name and address of the building or property owner - The wording the manager requires, including any additional-insured line - The move date and the loading dock or elevator hours - The email address where the manager wants the certificate sent - Any deadline the building has set ## Timing with O'Brien's Call the Sparks office on 775-359-6683, Monday to Friday between 8 am and 5 pm, as soon as a building mentions insurance. O'Brien's holds U.S. DOT No. 30611 and MC-109375 for interstate household goods and Nevada Transportation Authority certificate 1070 for moves within Nevada, and the estimator can pass your building's requirement on so the certificate is ready before the move date. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [eCFR, 49 CFR 375.303 liability insurance](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375/subpart-C/section-375.303) - [eCFR, 49 CFR 375.201 liability for loss and damage](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375/subpart-B/subject-group-ECFRaf957489d1c5963/section-375.201) - [FMCSA, Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/2023-10/FMCSA_R%26R_Handbook_Web_v1.pdf) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [Valuation coverage: released value vs full value protection](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/valuation-coverage/) - [Apartment and condo moves](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/local-moving/apartments-and-condos/) - [Commercial and office moving](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/commercial-moving/) Moving glossary ## Read next - [Elevator carry](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/elevator-carry/) - [Bulky article](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/bulky-article/) - [Constructive weight](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/constructive-weight/) - [Tare weight](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/tare-weight/) - [Peak season](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/peak-season/) - [In home survey](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/in-home-survey/) - [Virtual survey](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/virtual-survey/) - [Permanent storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/permanent-storage/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Does a COI cover my belongings? No. A COI shows the mover's liability coverage to a third party. Protection for your goods is the valuation level you elect on the estimate and bill of lading. ### How early should I ask for one? As early as the building mentions it. Insurers need the building's name and wording, and a manager may need days to approve it. ### Is there a charge for a COI? Ask your estimator. Any added charge would be shown on your written estimate. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) R Robert B. June 22, 2026 The movers were very professional and took care of my stuff there were no worries and stress free amazing job. J Janet M. May 16, 2026 I was so impressed with the way the crew handled and packed each piece of furniture for short term storage. They were polite and professional. I would highly recommend them to anyone planning a move. ### Owner's reply Janet we are so glad to hear that your move was a great success and we sincerely appreciate you providing us with this wonderful review. We will continue to provide you with the best service as we move forward. J Judy H. April 7, 2026 I was so satisfied and impressed with O'Brien. My move went perfectly. If I have another move, it will be O'Brien for sure!! ### Owner's reply WE ARE THRILLED TO HEAR THE MOVE WENT SO WELL!!!! Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to let us know. ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070