Certificate of Insurance Guide: What Each Box Actually Means

The ACORD 25, decoded

Certificates of insurance are not contracts of insurance. They're proof that coverage exists on the date issued — and they can become misleading if the underlying policy has endorsements the certificate doesn't reflect. When in doubt, request the actual endorsement.

What holders usually want

• Their name and address listed as Certificate Holder
• Additional Insured status — typically on GL, often on Auto
• Waiver of Subrogation — typically on GL and WC
• Primary and Non-Contributory wording — for GL on bigger contracts
• Sometimes 30-day notice of cancellation language — which carriers rarely guarantee anymore