Compliance, explained in plain English.
Short, practical guides to the paperwork trades businesses actually carry — what each document is, how it works, and what the jargon means. No legal advice, no scare tactics.
Insurance & compliance glossaryEvery COI and insurance term — ACORD 25, additional insured, waiver of subrogation — defined in a couple of sentences.What is a certificate of insurance (COI)?A COI is a one-page summary proving your business insurance exists — not the policy itself. Who issues it, what's on it, and why clients ask for one.How to read a certificate of insuranceA field-by-field walkthrough of a certificate of insurance — producer, insured, policy dates, limits, certificate holder — plus a 60-second sanity checklist.What is an ACORD 25 form?An ACORD 25 is the standard certificate of liability insurance form used across the US. Learn what it shows, why it's a snapshot, and how it works.Certificate holder vs. additional insuredA certificate holder just receives proof of coverage; an additional insured is added to the policy itself. Learn the difference and why it matters on the job.General liability vs. workers' comp insuranceGeneral liability covers third parties; workers' comp covers your own crew's injuries. Learn how they differ, how they pair, and why clients ask for both.OSHA 10 vs. OSHA 30: what the cards meanOSHA 10 is a 10-hour hazard-awareness course for workers; OSHA 30 goes deeper for supervisors. What the cards mean, who takes which, and how sites use them.What is errors & omissions (E&O) insurance?Errors & omissions (E&O) insurance covers financial-loss claims from professional mistakes or advice — how it works and how it differs from general liability.What insurance should you require from your subcontractors?A plain-English guide to the insurance small GCs commonly ask subs for: general liability, workers comp, auto, and the endorsements that matter.What do additional insured, primary & noncontributory, and waiver of subrogation actually mean?Additional insured, primary & noncontributory, waiver of subrogation — what each one actually does, in plain English, and how they show up on a COI.Umbrella vs. excess liability insurance — what's the difference?Umbrella and excess liability both add limit on top of your main policies. Learn the difference and how to read the umbrella/excess section on a COI.How to spot a fake certificate of insuranceWorried a sub's COI might be fake? Learn the red flags — odd dates, sloppy edits, unknown carriers — and the one check that actually settles it.What's the difference between occurrence and claims-made insurance?Occurrence policies cover incidents that happen during the policy period. Claims-made covers claims filed during it. Here's why that difference matters.How to get a certificate of insurance (fast)Need a COI today? Ask your insurance agent or broker — here's exactly what to send them, how long it usually takes, and how to make the next one instant.
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