Certificates of Insurance and Insurance Requirements
What Is a Certificate of Insurance?
A Certificate of Insurance (COI) provides evidence of the insurance coverage an organization has in place. It is commonly required as part of a contract or agreement.
If you are renting space or equipment, you may be asked to provide proof that Santa Clara University (SCU) carries the appropriate insurance. Likewise, if a supplier is coming onto campus or providing services to the University, they may be required to furnish proof of their insurance coverage.
Although a COI is not a substitute for the full insurance policy, it is generally a reliable summary and serves as acceptable proof of coverage.
Requesting Proof of SCU Insurance
If an external party requests proof of SCU’s insurance, please email risk@scu.edu and include the following information:
- A copy of the request
- The contract or agreement with the requesting organization
- A brief description of the services being provided or activity involved
- If applicable:
- The name, date, and time of the event
- The value of any equipment being rented
Note: Certificates typically take 2–3 business days to process, depending on the coverage requirements.
Insurance Requirements for Suppliers
A sample Certificate of Insurance can be provided as a visual reference for suppliers. Please note that this sample reflects standard requirements; actual requirements may vary based on the nature of the goods or services provided .
Suppliers doing business with SCU or entering campus must maintain certain insurance coverages. These requirements are detailed in our Minimum Limit Requirements Matrix.
If a supplier is unable to meet the standard insurance requirements, the hiring department may request a modification or waiver by contacting risk@scu.edu.
Types of Insurance Coverage
- Commercial General Liability (GL)
Required if the supplier is coming onto campus or if SCU is purchasing a product or service. - Workers’ Compensation (WC)
Required if the supplier is based in a state where this coverage is legally mandated. - Automobile Liability (AL)
Required if the supplier will drive onto campus or if vehicles are essential to the performance of their services. - Professional Liability (PL)
Required if the supplier holds a professional license or designation, or is providing professional services to SCU. - Cyber Liability (CL)
Required if the supplier will access SCU systems or networks, or handle confidential or personally identifiable information (PII).