Certificates of insurance are everywhere in commercial business. Landlords, general contractors, project owners, vendors and clients often request them before work begins. The document is useful because it provides a compact snapshot of insurance without requiring the entire policy to be exchanged.
But a certificate has limits. New York’s Department of Financial Services has repeatedly emphasized that a certificate can summarize coverage but should not be used to expand or alter the underlying policy. The ACORD 25 form itself states that it is issued as a matter of information and does not amend, extend or alter coverage.
What information is normally on a COI?
- Name of the insured organization.
- Producer or insurance agency contact.
- Insurer names and NAIC numbers where applicable.
- Policy numbers.
- Effective and expiration dates.
- Types of insurance such as general liability, auto, umbrella and workers’ compensation.
- Key policy limits.
- Certificate holder information.
- Indicators relating to additional insured or waiver of subrogation, subject to actual endorsements.
Certificate holder vs. additional insured
These terms are not interchangeable. A certificate holder is the person or organization receiving evidence of insurance. An additional insured has rights under a policy or endorsement when the contract actually grants that status. Simply typing a name in the certificate-holder box does not automatically make that party an additional insured.
Why endorsements matter
If a contract requires additional-insured status, primary and noncontributory wording or a waiver of subrogation, the safest evidence is the actual policy endorsement or other insurer-approved documentation. A statement on a certificate cannot create rights that do not exist in the policy.
| Document | Purpose | Can it create coverage? |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of insurance | Summarizes evidence of insurance | Generally no |
| Policy | Sets the insurance contract terms | Yes — this is the contract |
| Endorsement | Modifies policy terms | Yes, when validly issued |
What to verify when reviewing a COI
- Confirm the insured name matches the contracting entity.
- Check policy dates cover the expected work period.
- Compare limits with contractual requirements.
- Review the actual endorsements for additional-insured or waiver requirements.
- Check the insurer and policy type, not only the total limits.
- Request updated evidence at renewal if work continues.
Does a COI guarantee notice of cancellation?
Not necessarily. Cancellation and notice rights depend on policy provisions, endorsements and applicable law. Certificate language should not be assumed to create a notice obligation that the policy does not provide.
Frequently asked questions
Is a COI the same as an insurance policy?
No. It is evidence or a summary, not the policy contract.
Does being named as certificate holder make me an additional insured?
No. Additional-insured rights generally require policy language or an endorsement.
What is ACORD 25?
It is a widely used certificate of liability insurance form in U.S. commercial insurance.
Sources & further reading
Reviewed against New York DFS and Texas Department of Insurance material in September 2026. Certificate rules can vary by state and contract.
