Verify a contractor's insurance yourself
Español"Licensed, bonded & insured" is the homeowner triad. ProFix verifies the license from official board records — but no directory can vouch for a contractor's insurance, because policies change daily and only the carrier knows the truth. Here's how to confirm it yourself in a few minutes.
This is homeowner guidance, not a claim about any specific contractor. ProFix never marks a pro "insured." The FTC lists falsely claiming to be "licensed, bonded, insured" among the top home-improvement-scam tells — which is exactly why you verify at the source.
The 60-second version
Ask the contractor's insurance agent to send you a current Certificate of Insurance. Confirm it covers general liability AND workers' comp, the limits are at least your project value, and the dates cover your whole job. Then call the carrier directly to confirm the policy is still active — a certificate alone is just a snapshot.
1. Request a current Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Ask the contractor to have their insurance agent or carrier send the COI to you directly. A PDF the contractor emails you can be edited; a certificate sent straight from the agent is harder to fake.
Confirm the named insured on the certificate exactly matches the business you're hiring — same legal name, not a similar one.
2. Check the coverage types — both of these
General liability — pays if the contractor damages your property (a flooded floor, a fire, a broken window). Without it, that damage can land on you.
Workers' compensation — pays if a worker is injured on your property. Without it, an injured worker can pursue YOU. (Requirements vary by state and crew size — verify what your state requires.)
3. Check the limits and the dates
Look at the coverage limits (e.g. $1,000,000 general liability). The limit should be at least the value of your project — a $300,000 remodel needs more than a $50,000 limit.
Check the policy effective and expiration dates. The policy must be active for the entire duration of your project — a certificate that expires next week covers nothing the week after.
4. Ask to be added as an additional insured
On larger jobs, ask to be named an "additional insured" on the contractor's general-liability policy and get an endorsement showing it. That gives you direct standing if you need to make a claim.
5. Call the carrier to confirm it's active — the step that matters most
Call the insurance company on the certificate (look up its number independently — don't only use a number the contractor gives you) and confirm the policy is in force, the limits are real, and it hasn't been cancelled. A certificate is a snapshot; only the carrier knows if the policy is still active today.
Insurance red flags
"We're fully insured" — but they won't put a certificate in your hands. A real policy comes with a certificate the agent can send.
A certificate that looks edited, has mismatched fonts, or a business name that doesn't quite match. Get it from the agent instead.
The expiration date has already passed, or it lapses before your project ends.
General liability only, with no workers' comp, when a crew will be on your property and your state requires it.
Pressure to skip verification or pay a large deposit before you've seen any proof — a classic FTC scam tell, and worse right after a storm.
Sources: FTC: How to avoid a home improvement scam · FTC: Before you pay for storm cleanup
Frequently asked
Does ProFix tell me if a contractor is insured?
No. ProFix verifies license status (and, in some states, a surety bond) from official board records, but it does not hold any contractor's insurance data and never marks a specific contractor "insured." Insurance changes constantly and the carrier is the only authority — this page shows you how to verify it yourself.
What is a Certificate of Insurance (COI)?
A one-page document from the contractor's insurance company listing their active policies, coverage types, limits, and dates. It's the standard proof of insurance — but it's a snapshot, so you still confirm it's current by calling the carrier.
Is "bonded" the same as "insured"?
No. A surety bond is a small guarantee to the state for license-law violations; insurance (general liability and workers' comp) is what actually protects your property and the workers on it. You want both, and they're verified in different places — the bond at the licensing board, the insurance with the carrier.
Why call the insurance carrier if I already have the certificate?
Because a certificate only proves the policy existed on the day it was issued. Policies get cancelled for non-payment. A 60-second call to the carrier confirms the coverage is still in force today — the single most important verification step.