Standard certificate
For a landlord, client, lender, or contractor who needs proof of current policies and limits.
Request a certificate of insurance.
Send us the certificate holder and any contract requirements. We’ll check your active policy before issuing proof.
A certificate summarizes coverage. It does not change it.
Your policy and endorsements determine coverage. The certificate is a snapshot of what is in force when it is issued.
What kind of certificate do you need?
Contract-specific request
For additional insured status, waivers, or other required wording. Send the contract or sample so we can check what the policy supports.
What a certificate shows
Most liability certificates use the standard ACORD 25 form. Each box reports something already on the policy.
Producer and insured
The agency that issued the certificate and the named insured, spelled exactly as it appears on the policy.
Insurers
Each insurance company behind the listed policies, lettered A to F with its NAIC number.
Coverages and limits
Policy type, policy number, effective and expiration dates, and limits for general liability, auto, umbrella and workers’ compensation.
Description of operations
Projects, locations or vehicles the certificate is for, plus notes such as additional insured status when an endorsement supports it.
Certificate holder
The person or company that asked for proof. Each holder gets its own certificate.
Cancellation
Notice of cancellation follows the policy’s own terms. The certificate cannot promise notice the policy does not give.
Contract terms, explained
Contracts and leases often ask for more than proof of coverage. Each of these needs support in the policy itself, usually an endorsement.
Additional insured
Extends your policy to another party, such as a client or landlord, for claims arising from your work. It is added by endorsement, for example ISO CG 20 10 for ongoing work and CG 20 37 for completed work.
Waiver of subrogation
Your insurer gives up the right to recover a paid claim from the other party. It needs an endorsement on each policy the contract names.
Primary and non-contributory
Your policy pays first and does not ask the other party’s insurance to share the loss. The policy wording has to say so.
Evidence of property insurance
Lenders and landlords usually ask for ACORD 28 (commercial property) or ACORD 27 (residential property) and to be listed as mortgagee or loss payee.
Have these ready
Certificate holder
Legal name, mailing address, and contact person.
Contract or sample
The contract’s insurance section or a sample certificate.
Job details
Project, location, client, and deadline.
Special requirements
Any required endorsements or specific wording.
Certificate questions
Does a certificate of insurance change my policy?
No. A certificate reports information from the policy. Coverage changes require the insurer to issue or approve the applicable policy change or endorsement.
Is a certificate holder automatically an additional insured?
No. Certificate holder and additional insured are different roles. Additional insured status must be supported by the policy or an endorsement.
Why do you need the contract or sample certificate?
It lets us see the exact insurance requirement, identify wording the policy may not support, and avoid issuing a document that overstates coverage.
Can I request a certificate before buying a policy?
A certificate can only report coverage that is in force. If you still need coverage, start a quote and we will shop the requirement with you.
What is the difference between ACORD 25 and ACORD 28?
ACORD 25 is the certificate of liability insurance: general liability, auto, umbrella and workers’ compensation. ACORD 28 is evidence of commercial property insurance, usually requested by a lender or landlord that needs to be shown as mortgagee or loss payee.
When do I need a new certificate?
A certificate shows policy dates, so a holder usually asks for a new one when your policies renew, when limits or carriers change, or when a new project or client needs its own.
Can one certificate list several holders?
No. Each certificate names one holder. If a general contractor and a property owner both need proof, each gets its own certificate.
Need a certificate for an active Menlo policy?
Send the holder details and the contract requirement. We will check the policy and return the documents that apply.