Certificate Of Insurance

What Does Certificate Of Insurance Mean?

A certificate of insurance is a document provided by an insurance company, agent, or broker to verify the existence of an insurance contract between the insurer and the insured. It includes information such as the names of the insurer and insured, the effective date of the policy, and the type of coverage. While it serves as documentary evidence of the insurance contract, it should not be regarded as the contract itself.

A certificate of insurance is also known as proof of insurance.

Clients and landlords are the most common requesters of certificates, and what they are usually checking for is whether a business carries an active general liability policy.

Insuranceopedia Explains Certificate Of Insurance

A certificate of insurance serves as evidence that verifies the existence of an insurance policy. It typically includes the policy number and coverage amount and may also list the perils or risks insured against. While the certificate provides this information, it cannot serve as the actual contract. A certificate of insurance can be issued at any time by the insurer upon request from the insured or a third party, although it is most often helpful in situations involving significant losses.