Moving into an apartment, condo, or office building often requires more than just scheduling movers and planning your furniture layout. In many cities, including Los Angeles, which is one of the strictest, buildings frequently ask residents to provide a Certificate of Insurance for moving before granting elevator access or approving a move-in/out date.
If you’ve never dealt with a COI before, the process can feel confusing—but it’s actually simple once you understand what the document is and why buildings request it. This guide explains everything you need to know, including why property managers insist on a COI, how to request one from your moving company, and which areas typically require it most often.
What Is a Certificate of Insurance for Moving?
A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is an official document issued by a moving company’s insurance provider. It proves that the movers carry the necessary coverage in case something goes wrong during the move, such as damage to the building, accidental injuries, or property loss.
A COI typically includes:
- Moving company’s legal business name
- Insurance carrier and policy numbers
- Coverage limits (usually $1 million or $2 million)
- General liability insurance details
- Workers’ compensation coverage
- Cargo insurance details
- Effective and expiration dates
- “Additional insured” information requested by the building
- Building address and management company name
A COI is not a quote, receipt, or estimate—it’s a legal insurance document that protects both the building and the residents during the moving process.
Planning to downsize before your move or get rid of unwanted furniture? Our guide on safe and legal furniture disposal in Los Angeles can help.
Why Buildings Require a Certificate of Insurance
Many apartment and condo buildings—especially modern or high-rise buildings—won’t allow movers inside without a COI. This is especially true in busy urban areas like Los Angeles, where building damage is common and property management companies have strict policies.
1. Protection Against Building Damage
Large furniture, appliances, and bulky items can bump into walls, elevators, hallways, or doorframes.
A COI ensures the building is covered if damage occurs.
2. Worker Safety & Liability
If a mover is injured on the property, insurance needs to be in place. Workers’ compensation prevents the building or tenant from being held liable.
3. Verification of a Legitimate Moving Company
Many cities deal with unlicensed or uninsured movers. A building requiring a COI ensures only professional, properly insured companies are allowed to operate.
4. Compliance With HOA & Management Rules
High-density buildings often have strict move-in/out procedures:
- Elevator reservations
- Designated loading areas
- Time windows
- Floor protection requirements
A COI confirms the moving company agrees to comply.
5. Higher-Risk Properties
Luxury buildings, historic properties, and high-rise towers often require specific insurance wording and higher liability limits. A COI provides the detailed coverage information they need.
Should All Moving Companies in California Provide a Certificate of Insurance?
Not necessarily. There’s a common misconception that every moving company in California is required by law to carry all the insurance policies listed on a building’s COI requirements. In reality, California moving companies are legally required to maintain only a few mandatory policies, including:
- Cargo insurance (coverage for customer belongings)
- Commercial auto liability (PL) and property damage (PD) — typically $750,000 minimum
- Workers’ compensation insurance — required only if the company has payroll employees
Policies such as general liability insurance, additional insured coverage, umbrella insurance, or building-specific requirements are not legally required. These policies are optional, and many small moving companies may not carry them unless they regularly work in high-rise or luxury buildings.
This is why some movers cannot provide a COI that meets strict building management demands. Before booking your move, always verify whether your moving company can provide a Certificate of Insurance for moving that matches your building’s requirements — especially if you’re moving into an apartment, condo, or high-rise with an HOA or property management company.
COI vs Moving Insurance: What’s the Difference?
A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is often misunderstood. A COI protects the building, not the customer’s belongings. It lists liability insurance, workers’ compensation, and other coverage required for movers to operate inside managed properties.
Your personal items are protected under cargo insurance, which is legally required for all licensed moving companies in California. These two documents serve different purposes:
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COI = protects the building
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Cargo insurance = protects your items during transport
Some customers may also choose to purchase additional valuation coverage for higher-value items. Understanding these differences helps prevent confusion on moving day.
Common Situations When a COI Is Required
Buildings usually require a COI for:
- Apartment moves
- Condo or HOA-regulated properties
- High-rise towers
- Luxury buildings
- Commercial office moves
- Storage facilities with elevator access
- Any building with a freight elevator
- Locations with strict management policies
If your building has any type of formal move-in reservation system, there’s a high chance a COI is required.
Neighborhoods and cities in LA where COIs are often required:
- Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) – almost every building requires a COI
- Westwood – many UCLA-area residential towers
- Brentwood – large modern complexes and strict HOAs
- Santa Monica – updated buildings with elevator and dock rules
- Playa Vista – tech hub with strict management
- Hollywood & Hollywood Hills – condo buildings with freight elevator reservations
- Culver City – newer complexes and corporate buildings
- Pasadena – many historic buildings with strict protection
- Marina del Rey – pool of high-rise apartment communities
- El Segundo, Glendale, Burbank – most office buildings require COIs
If you’re still searching for a place, check out our guide on how to find an apartment for rent in Los Angeles.
Common Building Requirements in High-Rise and Managed Properties
Many high-rise, luxury, and HOA-managed buildings—especially throughout Los Angeles—have strict move-in rules beyond just requiring a COI. These may include:
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Mandatory freight elevator usage
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Elevator padding and hallway protection
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Loading dock or service entrance reservations
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Limited move-in time windows (often 9 AM–4 PM)
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Parking permits or loading zone restrictions
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Floor protection requirements
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Extra insurance for historic or high-value properties
These policies help protect the building, minimize disruptions, and ensure moves go smoothly in busy urban environments.
If you’re preparing a hillside relocation, we also created a full guide to moving to the hills in Los Angeles — check it out here: Moving to the Hills in Los Angeles.
COI for Apartment Move — What You Should Know
If you’re moving into an apartment building—especially one with more than three floors—management may require a COI for your apartment move before they allow movers inside.
Residents should:
- Ask the building if they require a COI
- Request information about coverage amounts
- Confirm reserved elevator times
- Provide exact wording needed for the document
The most common requirement is $1,000,000 general liability coverage, but some luxury or commercial buildings ask for $2,000,000 or more.
A Warning About Unlicensed Movers and COIs
Many low-cost or unlicensed movers in California cannot provide a Certificate of Insurance because they lack the legally required coverage. Buildings routinely deny entry to movers who show up without proper documentation, which often leads to last-minute cancellations and stressful delays for residents.
Always confirm that your moving company is fully licensed and insured, and able to provide a valid COI that meets your building’s requirements — especially if you’re moving into a high-rise, HOA-regulated property, or any building with a freight elevator.
To avoid issues with unlicensed movers, make sure you understand how to choose the right moving company — here’s a helpful guide: How to choose a reliable moving company in Los Angeles.
How to Request a COI From a Moving Company
Every building has different requirements, so it’s important to request your COI early.
Step 1: Book Your Move With the Moving Company
A COI can only be issued after the move is confirmed and placed on the schedule.
Step 2: Send Your Building’s Requirements
You’ll need to provide:
- Building name and address
- Property management company
- Certificate holder information
- Exact wording the building needs
- Email where the COI should be sent
- Required insurance amounts
Who Actually Prepares the COI?
A COI is not a document movers keep in their truck. It is created by the moving company’s insurance agent, based on the specific requirements provided by your building.
Once you share your building’s details, the moving company forwards the information to their insurance provider. As soon as the customized COI is prepared, it’s sent back to the movers and then forwarded to you or directly to your property management.
This ensures that all required names, coverage limits, and building-specific wording are accurate.
Step 3: The Moving Company Prepares the COI
A professional moving company can typically issue the COI same day or within 24 hours.
SQ Moving Company handles this at no cost for all booked moves.
Step 4: Forward the COI to Your Building Management
Once received, simply forward it to your landlord, HOA, building management, or concierge desk.
Step 5: Confirm Your Move-In Reservation
Many buildings won’t reserve the elevator or loading zone until they receive the COI.
What Customers Should Know Before Requesting a COI
Here are important details that often catch renters or businesses off-guard:
- Buildings require exact certificate holder information — even one wrong letter may cause rejection
- Some buildings require additional insured wording
- Others request waiver of subrogation
- Many buildings require specific verbiage (which the moving company must include)
- COIs do not cover damage to your belongings — that falls under cargo insurance
- A COI protects the property, not the items being moved
- Requesting a COI on the morning of your move can delay start time
- Buildings may deny entry if the COI isn’t on file
- You should request your COI at least 48 hours before moving day
Example of Common Certificate of Insurance Requirements
Many buildings in cities with large apartment complexes—especially throughout Los Angeles—request very specific wording on a COI. While every management company is different, a typical requirement may look like:
“ABC Property Management and The Residences at Sunset Tower must be listed as the Certificate Holder and Additional Insured. General Liability coverage must be no less than $1,000,000.”
Your building may require different wording or higher limits. Always send us their exact instructions so we can forward them to our insurance agent and ensure the COI meets the building’s standards.
Sample Certificates of Insurance (COI) From Our Insurance Providers
To help you understand what a real COI looks like, here are sample Certificates of Insurance issued by our two insurance providers.
Each COI is customized to match your building’s requirements — including certificate holder name, additional insured wording, liability limits, and any special instructions from property management.
These samples show the typical layout and coverage information included when we request a COI for your move.
Frequently Asked Questions — Certificate of Insurance for Moving
Do all movers provide a certificate of insurance?
Only licensed, professional moving companies can issue a COI. Unlicensed movers typically cannot provide one.
Does a COI protect my belongings?
No. A COI protects the building. Your belongings are covered under cargo insurance.
Who should request the COI — the tenant or the movers?
You (the resident) must ask the movers to create it, but the moving company must issue the document.
Can a building deny my move without a COI?
Yes. Many buildings will refuse access without proper insurance documentation.
How long does it take to get a COI?
Most professional moving companies can prepare one within a few hours.
Final Tips to Ensure a Smooth Move
- Request your COI early
- Double-check building rules about elevator reservations
- Ask if your building needs special wording
- Make sure your movers have the correct building address
- Send all building requirements in one email to avoid delays
- Confirm move-in times with management after COI is approved
Need a Certificate of Insurance for Your Move? SQ Moving Company Can Help
If your building requires a Certificate of Insurance for moving, our team at SQ Moving Company can prepare one quickly and accurately. We are a professional, licensed, and insured moving company serving residents across Los Angeles and LA County, and we regularly work with apartments, condos, HOAs, and high-rise buildings that require specific COI formatting.
We can issue a customized COI that includes:
- Building name and certificate holder information
- Required liability coverage amounts
- Additional insured wording (if requested)
- Special instructions from your property management
To request a COI, simply call, text, or email us with your building’s requirements. Our team will prepare the document and send it directly to your management office—making your move smoother and fully compliant with building rules.
Conclusion
A Certificate of Insurance for moving is a standard requirement for many apartment buildings, condos, and commercial spaces—especially in larger metropolitan areas like Los Angeles. It protects both the resident and the building, verifies that the movers are legitimate, and ensures your moving day goes smoothly without last-minute complications.
Requesting a COI is simple, and most professional moving companies can issue one quickly once your move is booked. By understanding the requirements and preparing ahead of time, you’ll avoid delays and make the entire process stress-free.
