Auto Certificate Checklist

Business: ________________ Contact: ________________ Project: ________________ Client or general contractor: ________________ Contract date: ________________ Certificate due date: ________________ State: ________________ Commercial auto policy number: ________________

Use this checklist against the contract, declarations page, certificate of insurance, and endorsement copies before sending proof of commercial auto coverage. A certificate of insurance shows evidence of coverage. It does not change the policy.

• Combined single limit

What to check: The contract may require one combined limit for bodily injury and property damage from an auto accident. Confirm the limit shown on the policy and certificate matches the contract. Current policy status: ____________________ Contract wording or limit: ____________________

• Covered auto symbols

What to check: Confirm the policy covers the vehicle types the contract requires, such as any auto, owned autos, hired autos, or non-owned autos. Do not assume every policy includes every symbol. Current policy status: ____________________ Contract wording or symbol request: ____________________

• Additional insured wording

What to check: If the contract requires the client or general contractor to be an additional insured on auto liability, confirm the endorsement or policy wording names or includes that party. Current policy status: ____________________ Party to be added: ____________________

• Primary and noncontributory wording

What to check: If required, confirm the auto policy wording says your coverage applies before the client’s coverage for covered auto liability claims. Current policy status: ____________________ Contract wording: ____________________

• Waiver of subrogation

What to check: If required, confirm whether the carrier can add waiver wording for the party named in the contract. Current policy status: ____________________ Party requesting waiver: ____________________

• Notice of cancellation

What to check: Confirm what notice wording the carrier can provide. Some contracts ask for advance written notice of cancellation, lapse, or reduction in coverage. Current policy status: ____________________ Contract notice request: ____________________

• ACORD 25 and endorsement copies

What to check: The ACORD 25 certificate shows evidence of insurance. If the contract asks for proof beyond the certificate, attach the actual additional insured, primary and noncontributory, waiver, notice, or other endorsement copies. Current policy status: ____________________ Documents still needed: ____________________

Ask these questions before sending the certificate package:

1. Does the commercial auto liability limit match the contract? 2. Which covered auto symbols appear on the policy? 3. Does the policy include hired and non-owned auto if the contract asks for it? 4. Are endorsement copies available when the client asks for more than a certificate? 5. What notice of cancellation wording can the carrier provide? 6. Does the certificate holder name and address match the contract? 7. Are policy dates, named insured, limits, and vehicles correct?