A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is an official document that serves as proof that a moving company is fully licensed and insured. It's one of the most overlooked steps in planning a move, yet many Houston apartment and condo buildings won't let movers through the door without one.
Property management often requires a Certificate of Insurance from moving companies to confirm that the company you hired is fully covered to protect their buildings from accidental damage that may happen during the move.
Quick answer
A Certificate of Insurance is proof that your moving company carries liability and insurance coverage. Property managers request it to protect their buildings, and it should be submitted by your moving company before your move date.
What is a Certificate of Insurance?
When you are planning to move into a new apartment, whether it's an apartment building or a condo, you may be required to provide a Certificate of Insurance. It should be submitted by your moving company while you are finalizing your relocation plan.
Why do buildings require a COI?
Property managers want to know that any company entering their building carries enough insurance to cover accidental damage to hallways, elevators, floors, or walls during a move. A COI is their proof of that coverage.
How to get a COI in a few simple steps
Getting a Certificate of Insurance is simple as long as you start early and work with a mover that handles COIs regularly. Here's how the process usually works:
- Contact both your move-out and move-in building managements to confirm whether they require a Certificate of Insurance for moving. Ask for a template and any other requirements they may have.
- Share everything you've gathered with your COI moving company so they can prepare the insurance paperwork for your move. Any reputable moving company will have no problem providing a COI for you.
- Confirm the COI is submitted before move day, since buildings can deny access to movers who show up without the required paperwork.
What if a moving company can't provide a COI?
If a moving company cannot provide a COI for you, it is most likely that they won't even be permitted to enter the premises of requesting buildings. To avoid this kind of complication, it is better to ensure that the moving company you choose possesses a Certificate of Insurance before you even hire them.
This way, you will be guaranteed that your movers are indeed fully insured and own moving company insurance specifically for the apartment buildings you are moving out of and into.
Getting a COI with Great Movers Houston
Great Movers LLC has extensive experience in providing Certificates of Insurance for our clients. We make sure to check all the details before finalizing the documents to meet all the requirements listed by your building management team, including the minimum insurance value.
Need a Certificate of Insurance?
Send us your building's COI requirements and we'll prepare the paperwork before your move date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Certificate of Insurance (COI)?
A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is an official document that serves as proof that a moving company is fully licensed and insured.
Why do property management companies require a COI?
Property management often requires a Certificate of Insurance to confirm the moving company you hired is fully covered to protect their buildings from accidental damage that may occur during the move.
How do I get a Certificate of Insurance for my move?
Contact your move-out and move-in building managements to confirm if a COI is required and ask for a template, then share those details with your moving company so they can prepare the paperwork.
What happens if my moving company can't provide a COI?
If a moving company cannot provide a COI, it likely won't be permitted to enter the premises of buildings that require one, so it's best to confirm coverage before you hire them.
Does Great Movers Houston provide Certificates of Insurance?
Yes. Great Movers Houston has extensive experience providing Certificates of Insurance, checking all details to meet the requirements listed by your building management team, including the minimum insurance value.