What the form is
The ACORD 25 is the standard certificate of liability insurance. It is evidence that policies existed on the date it was issued — nothing more. It does not amend coverage, and the disclaimer at the top says exactly that.
Box by box
Work top to bottom and you will catch most problems in a couple of minutes.
| Section | What to check |
|---|---|
| Producer | The agency that issued it, with contact info for verification |
| Insured | Must match the entity you contracted with, exactly — DBAs and affiliates are a common gap |
| Insurer(s) affording coverage | Carrier names and NAIC numbers; check A.M. Best ratings |
| Coverage rows | GL, auto, umbrella, workers' comp, and any 'other' line such as professional or abuse |
| Policy numbers and dates | Confirm the certificate period covers your entire job, not just today |
| ADDL INSD column | A checkmark here means an additional insured endorsement is claimed — ask for the endorsement itself |
| SUBR WVD column | Indicates a waiver of subrogation applies to that line |
| Limits | Each occurrence, aggregate, products/completed operations, auto CSL, employers liability |
| Description of operations | Where job references, endorsement form numbers, primary and non-contributory, and project names appear |
| Certificate holder | Your legal name and address, matching the contract exactly |
| Cancellation | Standard wording only — most carriers will not promise notice to holders |
Red flags when you receive one
Watch for coverage that expires mid-project, a general aggregate that is already partly eroded (the form will not tell you — ask), 'additional insured' checked with no form number listed, missing products/completed operations for construction work, an insured name that does not match the signed contract, a non-admitted or unrated carrier, and workers' comp shown as an exemption rather than an actual policy.
What to do with them
Keep certificates for at least the statute of repose in your state — for construction that can be a decade. Track expiration dates and request updated certificates automatically. And for anything material, ask for the actual additional insured endorsement, not just the certificate: only the endorsement grants coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Is an ACORD 25 proof of coverage?
It is evidence of coverage as of the issue date. It does not guarantee the policy is still in force or that endorsements exist. Request endorsements for anything contractually required.
Can I edit an ACORD 25?
No. Altering a certificate is fraud. If something is wrong, request a corrected certificate from the issuing agency.
How fast can KTL issue a certificate?
Same business day for existing clients in most cases. Send us the contract's insurance requirements and the exact certificate holder name and address.