Certificates of Insurance – FAQs

College Schools and Departments are occasionally asked to submit a Certificate of Insurance to external organizations as part of an insurance requirement in an agreement.

What is the difference between a Certificate of Insurance with an Additional Insured Requirement and a Certificate Holder?

A certificate of insurance is a document that provides proof to a contracting party, the certificate holder, that the College, also known as the named insured, has the insurance coverage required under the agreement.

When a certificate of insurance includes the name(s) of an additional insured(s), the additional insured status provides a contracting party with insurance coverage and rights under the College’s insurance policy.

A certificate holder who is not named or added as an additional insured in the certificate of insurance will not have access to insurance coverage and rights under the College’s insurance policy

To provide additional insured status, a “signed” agreement is required which also requires the College to name or add the other contracting party as an “Additional Insured”. Note the requirement in the Certificate of Insurance Request Form:

“(Must be required by Written & Signed Contract)”

What is the purpose of a contracting party requesting an insurance certificate with an additional insured from the College?

Agreements typically include provisions requiring either the College or the other contracting party to effect insurance.

The insurance clause is inserted into commercial contracts of various forms, including lease agreements and permits, because the contracting party wants to transfer to the College’s insurer the financial consequences of one or more of the risks that may arise from the performance of the contract.

What coverage’s should be requested?

Refer to the insurance clause in the Agreement where the insurance is being requested. Only those insurance coverages and limits required will be provided.

When would I request a certificate?

A certificate is typically requested when the College is contracting with another party and the insurance requirements are placed on the College.

How Do I request either a Certificate or Proof of Insurance?

You can download a “Certificate of Insurance Request Form” here. This form is provided in a fillable PDF format. Please follow the instructions on the form to submit it.

Certificates of Insurance are typically provided within 24-48 hours