Home / Guides

ACORD 25 Form: How to Read a Certificate of Liability Insurance

The ACORD 25 is the one-page certificate of liability insurance that almost every subcontractor will send you. It summarizes their policies on a standard form, so once you know where to look, checking one takes about a minute.

What the ACORD 25 is, and what it is not

The form is published by ACORD, an insurance industry standards group, and filled in by the sub's insurance agent or broker. It is evidence that policies existed on the date it was issued. It does not change the policy, add coverage or guarantee that the policy will stay in force. The form itself says so in its disclaimer at the top.

Box by box

1. Date. When the certificate was issued, top right. An old date on a certificate you just received is a reason to ask for a fresh one.
2. Producer. The agent or broker who issued it, with a phone number and email. This is who you call to verify coverage.
3. Insured. The sub's legal name and address. It should match the company on your subcontract and on their W-9.
4. Insurers A to F. The insurance companies behind each policy, with their NAIC numbers. Each policy row below points to one of these letters.
5. Coverages. One row each for commercial general liability, automobile liability, umbrella or excess liability, workers' compensation and employer's liability, and an "other" row. Each row shows the policy number, the effective and expiration dates, and the limits.
6. ADDL INSD and SUBR WVD columns. A "Y" means the sub says the policy includes additional insured status or a waiver of subrogation. Ask for the endorsements themselves if your contract requires them.
7. Description of operations. Free text where the agent can name your project, list additional insureds or mention primary and non-contributory wording.
8. Certificate holder. That should be your company, bottom left.
9. Cancellation. Standard wording says notice will be delivered "in accordance with the policy provisions". It is not a promise that you will be told if coverage lapses, which is why you track the dates yourself.

The five checks before you accept it

• Every policy your subcontract requires is listed.
• Limits meet your minimums, for example $1,000,000 per occurrence for general liability.
• No expiration date has passed, and you have recorded each one.
• The insured name matches the company you are paying.
• Additional insured and waiver of subrogation are marked if your contract requires them, with endorsements attached.

ACORD 25 vs. other ACORD forms

The ACORD 25 covers liability insurance, which is what you need from subs. The ACORD 24 is a certificate of property insurance and the ACORD 27 and 28 are evidence of property insurance, usually requested by lenders and landlords rather than contractors.

This guide is general information, not insurance or legal advice.