What license types require insurance?
If you are a licensed professional, you will want to protect yourself, your business, and your clients by making certain that there is a valid Certificate of Insurance (COI) for the services you provide. As a customer, you will also want to be protected by ensuring that a COI is provided by the provider of the services for which you contract and receive. As a COI does not automatically mean that coverage will be provided for all issues, learn more about common issues here.
To further assist you, the following types of services do require a COI on file with DLCP. The policy must be kept current throughout a professional’s valid dates of licensure and/or throughout the entire construction process where applicable, i.e. from the permit application process through to project completion.
For licensed professionals, as a Regulated Business, you must furnish a Certificate of Insurance (COI) during the Basic Business License application process, which:
- is issued to your organization as registered with the DLCP Corporations Division
- is issued to the premise address provided on the Basic Business License application
- includes a description and location of services, i.e. General Contractor in Washington, DC
- displays the certificate holder as "Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, 1100 4th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024."
- remains in full force and effect for the duration of the license period
Post Office boxes are not acceptable as an insured’s premise address.
NOTE: Insurance for the following license categories must be issued by an insurer authorized to insure in the District: General Contractor/Construction Manager, Parking Facility Operations, Driving School and Valet Parking. In addition, applicants for the General Contractor/Construction Manager license are required to provide a Certificate of Insurance issued by an insurer authorized to insure in the District with a credit rating of B+ or higher by A.M Best Company, evidencing commercial general liability per 17 D.C. Municipal Regulation § 3902.
To determine whether an insurance company is authorized to do business in the District, please follow the steps below:
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Go to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners State Based Systems, in which the District’s Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking (DISB) participates.
- In the drop-down menu for “Jurisdiction” select “District of Columbia”
- In the drop-down menu for “Search Type” select “Company”
- Enter the Company Name that you are considering as your insurer
- Make sure that the box next to “I agree to the NAIC's Terms and Conditions” is selected
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Click the “Search” button
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If the insurance company does not appear in the search results, then the insurance company is not authorized in the District. If the insurance company appears in the search results, verify that the insurance company provides the type of insurance you need.