Arizona business resource
Certificates of insurance: evidence of coverage, not a rewrite of the policy.
Use a COI to document coverage that actually exists. Contract requirements should be compared with the policy and endorsements before anyone promises additional rights or notice.
What a certificate can—and cannot—do
A certificate summarizes insurance information. It does not amend, extend or alter the policy. Requests for additional-insured status, waiver of subrogation, primary/noncontributory wording or special cancellation notice must be supported by the applicable policy or endorsement.
What to send the agency
- Contract or insurance-requirement section
- Certificate holder name/address
- Required limits and lines of coverage
- Requested endorsements
- Deadline and project/job information
Best workflow
- Review the contract requirement.
- Compare it with existing policies and endorsements.
- Identify unsupported requirements before the deadline.
- Ask the carrier about available endorsements when needed.
- Issue evidence that accurately reflects the policy.
Important: Coverage and certificate handling remain subject to policy terms, carrier procedures and applicable Arizona law.