Guides
Additional Insured & Certificate of Insurance (COI)
How additional insured status and certificates of insurance work for special events - and how to get a venue-ready COI through The Event Helper.
Additional Insured & COI Explained
Two phrases show up in almost every venue contract: additional insured and certificate of insurance (COI). Understanding them makes the insurance step of event planning much less stressful.
Certificate of insurance (COI)
A COI is a snapshot that shows:
- Named insured (you / your organization)
- Insurer and policy number
- Policy effective dates
- Liability limits
- Certificate holder (often the venue)
- Additional insureds, when listed
Venues use the COI as proof you purchased the insurance they required. Send it as a PDF and confirm they accepted it - do not assume a silent inbox means approval.
Additional insured
When a venue is an additional insured, they are given certain insured status under your policy for liability arising out of your event, as defined by the endorsement and policy. That is why contracts say things like “Owner shall be named as additional insured.”
Practical tips
- Use the venue’s legal name exactly as provided.
- Include the mailing address they specify for the certificate holder.
- If they want “primary and noncontributory” or “waiver of subrogation,” ask whether those can be provided for your policy.
- Request the COI early; revisions happen.
Named insured vs. additional insured vs. certificate holder
| Role | Who | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Named insured | You / hosting entity | Owns the policy |
| Additional insured | Venue, landlord, city | Shares defined protection under your policy |
| Certificate holder | Often the venue’s office | Receives the COI document |
A party can be both certificate holder and additional insured.
How to request the right COI
- Copy the insurance requirements from your contract.
- Quote and purchase through The Event Helper.
- Enter additional insured details carefully.
- Download and email the COI to your venue contact.
- Save confirmation that it was approved.
Broader context: Venue requirements & COI · When venues require insurance.
City and park certificates
For public property, the additional insured may be “City of ___” or a parks department entity. Festival and race organizers should budget time for municipal review. See festival & concert and sports & race.
Related guides
Appointed agent/affiliate of The Event Helper. Certificate wording follows carrier rules.