Contract readiness

Certificate of insurance: what to verify

A certificate can help a client, landlord, or project owner confirm that a policy exists. It is not a replacement for the policy and should not be treated as proof that every requested contract term is satisfied.

What to compare

Named insured matches the legal entity signing the contract. Policy numbers, effective dates, and expiration dates are current. Coverage types and limits match the written contract requirements. Additional insured, waiver, primary/noncontributory, or notice wording is supported by the policy or endorsement—not just a typed note. Certificate holder and project or location details are accurate.

What a certificate cannot do by itself

A certificate generally summarizes insurance information. It does not rewrite exclusions, add a party to a policy, extend a policy period, or guarantee that a claim will be covered. If the contract requires an endorsement, ask for the endorsement or other evidence that the insurer has issued it.

Questions for the contract conversation

Does the client require a certificate only, or a specific endorsement as well?
Are the limits aggregate, per occurrence, per project, or subject to another sublimit?
Does the contract require notice of cancellation, and what does the actual policy provide?
Are subcontractors required to maintain equivalent coverage?
Who is authorized to request or issue the certificate?

Use the contract and policy together. If the certificate and contract appear inconsistent, pause and ask the licensed producer or insurer to clarify before work begins.

Practical next step

Make a one-page requirements table from the contract: coverage type, limit, endorsement, insured party, project, dates, and evidence required. Then ask your licensed professional to confirm what can actually be documented.

NAIC consumer resources ↗