COI requirements by trade / Moving company
Moving company COI requirements
Move-ins and move-outs are a leading source of damage to elevators, hallways, and doors. Many buildings require movers to send a certificate before they're allowed to book the elevator.
What makes moving company risky
- Damage to elevators, hallways, door frames, floors, and loading docks.
- Injuries to residents or staff in common areas.
- Vehicle accidents and damage in parking areas and driveways.
- Damage to the resident's or tenant's own belongings, which is a separate coverage from building damage.
Coverage to require on the certificate
| Coverage | What's common, and what to check |
|---|---|
| General liability | $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate is a common building requirement. This is what responds to damage to the building itself. |
| Commercial auto | $1M combined single limit is common for moving trucks. |
| Workers' compensation | Statutory, plus employers' liability. Moving crews often include day laborers, so ask who is covered. |
| Cargo or motor truck cargo | Covers the belongings being moved. Useful to know about, but it doesn't protect the building. |
On top of the coverage itself, most contracts also require additional insured status for you (and the owner, where applicable), a waiver of subrogation, and primary and noncontributory wording. Those come from endorsements, so ask for copies.
Red flags on moving company certificates
- A certificate showing only cargo and auto coverage, with no general liability.
- The building or management company missing as certificate holder or additional insured when your move rules require it.
- A certificate issued for the wrong move date or a different building address.
Tip
Publish your move-in COI requirements, with the exact certificate holder and additional insured names, so residents can send them to the mover before the move date.
Review checklist
- Insured name matches the company on your contract.
- Every coverage above that your contract requires is listed.
- Each limit meets your minimum.
- No policy expires before the job ends. Track each expiration date separately.
- ADDL INSD and SUBR WVD are marked, with endorsements on file.
- You've asked the agent about any moving company exclusions that matter.
New to reading certificates? Start with how to read an ACORD 25, grab the free COI checklist, or log dates in the free expiration tracker.
Common questions
What insurance should a moving company subcontractor carry?
Common requirements include general liability, commercial auto, workers' compensation, and cargo or motor truck cargo. Your contracts and broker set the actual minimums.
Are these limits required by law?
Generally no. Insurance requirements for subcontractors and vendors are set by your contracts, your own insurer, and any owner, lender, or public agency on the job. Workers' compensation requirements are set by state law. The figures here describe common practice only.
Does the ACORD 25 show exclusions?
Usually not. A certificate summarizes policy types, limits, and dates. Exclusions like height limits, residential work, or pollution are in the policy itself, so ask the agent directly when they matter for the trade.
Who should issue the certificate?
Ask the sub's insurance agent or broker to issue it, not the sub. Agents issue certificates daily and can send the endorsements at the same time.
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