Start with the exact contract wording
This page focuses on contract wording about the order in which insurance responds. Copy the clause exactly into the insurance review file before asking for a certificate or endorsement. A certificate can show evidence of insurance, but it does not create coverage that the policy does not provide.
- Identify the requesting party and agreement.
- Mark every required policy, limit, endorsement, waiver, notice, or aggregate.
- Separate insurance requirements from indemnity or other legal obligations.
- Send unclear legal wording for appropriate legal or licensed insurance review before signing.
Questions to resolve
- Which party is requesting primary/noncontributory status?
- Is an additional-insured endorsement also required?
- Which policy form or endorsement provides the wording?
- Does the contract require the same treatment for completed operations?
Contract-to-policy worksheet
Use one row for each requirement so a rejected COI can be traced back to the contract and policy.
| Contract requirement | Policy / endorsement | Evidence provided | Open issue |
|---|---|---|---|
Before the certificate is sent
Keep the contract clause, declarations page, endorsement, COI, and email trail together. If the requester rejects the certificate, ask for the reason in writing so the next review addresses the exact deficiency.
- Verify legal names and certificate holder details.
- Verify effective and expiration dates.
- Attach endorsement copies when the agreement requires them.
- Set a renewal reminder before the policy expires.
Related reading
Sources and verification
Use official and primary sources to verify current rules, insurer licensing, policy wording, and state requirements. The declarations page, forms, endorsements, and signed contracts control the actual insurance relationship.