Certificate of Insurance

A "Certificate of Insurance" is a document issued by an insurance company or broker that verifies the existence of an insurance policy. It outlines the key aspects of the policy, including the types and limits of coverage, the policy number, the named insured, and the policy's effective and expiration dates. In the context of life insurance and health insurance, a certificate of insurance serves as proof that a policy is in place and provides a summary of the coverage provided.

Certificates of Insurance are commonly used in various business transactions to confirm that adequate insurance coverage is maintained. For example, in contractual relationships where one party requires the other to carry certain types of insurance, a certificate of insurance may be requested as evidence that the required insurance policies are active. While certificates of insurance provide verification of insurance, they do not confer rights and are not intended to modify the terms of the actual insurance policy.

Key elements typically included in a Certificate of Insurance are:

1. Policyholder's Name: The name of the individual or entity that owns the policy.
2. Insurer's Name: The name of the insurance company providing coverage.
3. Type of Coverage: Describes the kind of insurance provided, such as life insurance, health insurance, liability insurance, etc.
4. Policy Number: A unique identifier for the insurance policy.
5. Effective Date: The date when the insurance coverage begins.
6. Expiration Date: The date when the insurance coverage ends.
7. Coverage Limits: The maximum amount the insurer will pay under the policy terms.

While COIs are often associated with property, casualty, and liability insurance in business contexts, they can also apply to life and health insurance scenarios, especially in group, association, or employer-sponsored plans, to confirm coverage for employees or members.