A main contractor may need current public liability proof before you can start on site; without it, you can lose the job. A certificate of currency is the insurer proof that your policy is in force, ready to send when the contractor asks. Marsh describes it as evidence of public and products liability insurance.
The document your site contact needs
A certificate of currency summarises the cover in force. Check that the insured name matches the business doing the work, and look for the policy type or number, insurer, period of cover or expiry date, and public liability limit. If a contractor or client is named as an interested party, check that the name is correct too. Certificate layouts vary by insurer, so ask the insurer or broker to explain any unclear field. Marsh explains what a certificate proves, and BizCover says customers can add an interested party or change cover through a policy amendment.
Why the contract asks for it
The main contractor wants to confirm your public liability cover is active and meets the contract before giving you access or letting work start. The certificate is evidence of cover; it does not replace the policy wording or change what the policy covers.
Limits depend on the contract and project. As one example, Ministry of Education school-led construction templates set default public liability levels of $1 million for Minor Works, $2 million for Medium Works and $5 million for Major Works; the Ministry says project-specific risks may require more. These are examples for those contracts, not a universal NZ rule. Check the Ministry contract levels and guidance, then use the limit written in your agreement.
Match the policy to the job
Read the insurance clause and note the exact limit, any named interested party, and when proof must be supplied. If the limit is higher than your current cover, contact your insurer or broker to ask whether the policy can be amended and what the change would cost. If the contract asks for a client or principal to be noted, give the insurer the exact legal name and ask whether they can add it as an interested party. Do not assume a certificate alone adds cover or gives another party rights under your policy; ask the insurer to confirm what the wording means.
Get the certificate after cover starts
If you buy online, check when the policy starts and how the insurer supplies proof. BizCover says a policy can commence once payment is made, and its policy documents and certificate are emailed as soon as payment is confirmed; customers can also log in to download the certificate. See BizCover policy and certificate FAQs. Timing depends on payment confirmation and the provider process, so do not promise a fixed delivery time.
Before forwarding the document, check the insured name, cover period and limit against the contract. If anything does not match, contact the provider and request a correction or amendment before relying on it.
Keep proof current
Note the expiry date and check the policy before it ends. When cover renews or changes, download the updated certificate and send it to the main contractor if they need current proof. Tell the insurer if your business details or work have changed, and confirm the renewed cover still meets each active contract. Keep the policy wording with the certificate so you can check the actual cover and exclusions.
This guide is general information for NZ trade businesses, not insurance advice. Check your contract and policy wording, and ask your insurer or a licensed broker about your circumstances.