ACORD 36: Agent or Broker of Record Change Explained

ACORD 36 is the Agent/Broker of Record Change form. A policyholder can use it to ask an insurer to recognize a different producer for specified policies or submissions. It changes representation, subject to the insurer's procedures. It does not automatically replace the insurer, rewrite the policy, change coverage, or prove that the carrier processed the request.

What does ACORD 36 change?

The form identifies the policyholder, insurer, current policy or submission, and producer the customer wants recognized as agent or broker of record. The request should be limited to the policies and lines the customer actually intends to place under the new producer's service.

A carrier may accept ACORD 36, require its own form, or accept a signed letter. One published carrier procedure accepts ACORD 36 or a signed agent-of-record letter and requires additional applications in some circumstances.^[1] That is an example of one insurer's rules, not a universal process.

Does signing ACORD 36 make the change effective immediately?

Not necessarily. The signed form authorizes a request, but the insurer must receive and process it. The same carrier procedure describes a rescinding period and notices to the incoming and incumbent agencies.^[1] Other insurers may use different timeframes or documentation.

Ask the new producer when the request was submitted and obtain carrier confirmation that identifies the accepted effective date. Avoid assuming that access, service responsibility, or authority changed merely because the form was emailed.

Does a broker-of-record change alter the insurance policy?

Normally, the purpose is to change the recognized representative, not the underlying insurer or contract. Still, do not infer that every servicing, underwriting, or commission consequence is identical across carriers. A request for policy changes, added coverage, or cancellation must follow the insurer's separate process.

ACORD states that it does not provide insurance coverage.^[2] A completed ACORD 36 therefore is not evidence of a coverage amendment. Continue to use the binder, declarations, endorsements, and insurer correspondence to determine the policy's terms and status.

Where can you get the official ACORD 36 form?

Eligible users can search for current ACORD forms through the ACORD Forms Portal after login.^[3] The incoming producer or insurer can provide the licensed document and carrier-specific instructions. This page is an explanation, not an unofficial blank form.

The Bottom Line

ACORD 36 asks an insurer to recognize a new agent or broker of record for identified business. Review the scope, sign only an accurate request, and retain the carrier's acknowledgment and effective date. The form changes representation when accepted. It does not itself rewrite or replace insurance coverage.

This guide is for educational purposes and describes ACORD 36 in original language. Form numbers and titles are cited for identification only, and Menlo Insurance Services is not affiliated with ACORD Corporation. Carrier procedures and policy documents control.