Certificate of currency (insurance)

A certificate of currency (COC) is a one-page document from an insurer confirming an active insurance policy. It names the insured party, policy type, policy number, sum insured / limit, expiry date, and any material endorsements. It is not the policy itself: a COC tells you the cover exists today, not what is or is not actually covered.

What a COC tells you

Insured name(s). Match against the ABN/ACN on the subbie’s invoice.
Policy type. PL, workers comp, PI, construction works, motor.
Limit of indemnity. Below contract requirement = a problem.
Expiry date. A COC that’s already expired is not current cover.
Material endorsements. Some show exclusions, waivers, principal-named clauses.

What a COC does NOT tell you

The policy wording. Exclusions, deductibles, retroactive dates live in the policy schedule.
Whether a specific claim is covered. The COC confirms the policy exists; cover depends on full terms.

Standard builder asks

Before a subbie mobilises onto site:

Cover	Why builders ask	Typical minimum limit
Public liability	Third-party injury and property damage on your site	$10m to $20m residential, often $20m+ for commercial
Workers compensation	Mandatory for any employer; covers worker injury	Statutory, no choice
Professional indemnity	Design-and-construct or consultancy scope	$1m to $5m typical
Construction works	Material damage to the works	Per-project sum insured = contract value + 20% typical

For a builder

Sight current COCs before site access. PL and workers comp are the universal asks; PI when the subbie is design-and-construct. Don’t accept a quote without them.
Re-sight annually. Most policies renew on a fixed date; the COC you sighted last June expires this June.
Track expiries. A spreadsheet or the insurance schedule tracker is enough; missing an expiry is a real liability gap, not paperwork.

Category: Insurance.

What a COC tells you

What a COC does NOT tell you

Standard builder asks

For a builder

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