Certificate holder vs named insured vs additional insured
Three names show up on almost every certificate of insurance, and they are often confused. The named insured owns the policy, the certificate holder receives the certificate, and an additional insured is given coverage under someone else's policy.
By Abdul Moeed, Founder & CEO · Updated
Quick comparison
| Role | Who it is | Where on ACORD 25 | Gets coverage? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named insured | The vendor that bought the policy | INSURED box (top left) | Yes — it's their policy |
| Certificate holder | The company that requested the certificate | CERTIFICATE HOLDER box (bottom left) | No, not by being the holder alone |
| Additional insured | A party added to the vendor's policy by endorsement | ADDL INSD column + description box | Yes, within the endorsement's terms |
Named insured
The named insured is the business that purchased the policy. On a subcontractor's COI, it should be the exact legal entity you signed the subcontract with. A different LLC, a parent company or a person's name is a red flag — the policy may not cover the company actually doing the work.
Certificate holder
The certificate holder is simply who the certificate was issued to — usually you. Being the holder gives you a record of the coverage on the issue date, nothing more. It does not make you an insured and, under standard ACORD wording, doesn't guarantee you'll be told if the policy is cancelled.
Additional insured
To actually be protected by the vendor's policy, you need to be an additional insured through an endorsement. The certificate can point to it, but the endorsement is what counts. Most contracts require you to be both the certificate holder and an additional insured.
Practical tips
- Give vendors and brokers your exact legal name and address for the certificate holder box.
- Check the named insured against your contract every time a certificate renews.
- Ask for endorsement pages whenever your contract requires additional insured status.
Stop chasing certificates by hand
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Related reading
General information only — not legal or insurance advice. Confirm requirements with your broker or attorney.