What is an ACORD 25 certificate?
The ACORD 25 is the standard Certificate of Liability Insurance used across the US insurance industry. It is published by ACORD, a non-profit standards body, so certificates from different brokers share the same layout. Knowing where each box is makes review faster and errors easier to spot.
By Abdul Moeed, Founder & CEO · Updated
The ACORD 25, box by box
| Section | What it tells you | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Producer | The broker or agent who issued the certificate | A real contact you can reach for corrections |
| Insured | The vendor whose policies are listed | Exact legal name matches your contract |
| Insurers A–F | Each insurance company and its NAIC number | Carriers are identified, not left blank |
| Coverages | Policy type, number, dates and limits | Required lines present, dates current, limits high enough |
| ADDL INSD / SUBR WVD | Y/N flags for additional insured and waiver of subrogation | Flags match what your contract requires |
| Description of operations | Free text about projects, locations and endorsements | References your project and required endorsements |
| Certificate holder | The party that requested the certificate | Your correct name and address |
| Cancellation | Standard notice wording | Remember: it does not promise you notice of cancellation |
ACORD 25 vs ACORD 28
The ACORD 25 covers liability policies: general liability, auto liability, umbrella or excess, and workers' compensation with employer's liability.
The ACORD 28 is Evidence of Commercial Property Insurance. It is used when someone needs proof that a building or equipment is insured — for example a lender or a landlord. If you are checking a subcontractor's liability coverage, you want the ACORD 25.
Common ACORD 25 mistakes
- Expired policies: the certificate was issued recently, but one policy's expiration date has already passed.
- Wrong insured: a parent company or a different entity is listed instead of the contracted vendor.
- Low limits: the each-occurrence or aggregate limit is below the contract minimum, and no umbrella makes up the difference.
- Missing endorsement flags: ADDL INSD or SUBR WVD is blank when the contract requires them.
- Workers' comp exclusions: the officers/members excluded box is checked, which can mean the owner isn't covered.
- Generic description box: no project, location or endorsement reference at all.
Why the certificate isn't enough on its own
The Y in the ADDL INSD column only tells you the broker believes you are an additional insured. The coverage itself comes from an endorsement attached to the policy, such as ISO form CG 20 10 or CG 20 37. For important vendors, ask for the endorsement pages along with the ACORD 25 and keep them together.
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Related reading
General information only — not legal or insurance advice. Confirm requirements with your broker or attorney.