Certificate Holder

The person or company that asked for a certificate of insurance and is named in the certificate holder box, usually an owner, GC, landlord or client.

Reviewed by Avi Rabbani, Licensed Insurance Agent

What it means for your firm

Being the certificate holder means you receive proof that the insured carries insurance. On its own, it does not make the holder an insured under the policy.

If the contract requires the holder to be covered, that usually takes an additional insured endorsement on the policy.

Articles that explain it

Certificate Holder vs. Additional Insured: What Your Client Actually Needs (and How to Request a COI) Renting a Laser Scanner? What the Rental Company’s Coverage Requirement Means, and Whether Your Business Owners Policy Covers It Your Lender Says Your Building Insurance Expired: Mortgagee, Loss Payee and Force-Placed Coverage ‘A General Certificate for Proposals’: What It Is and When Clients Ask for One ‘Caused in Whole or in Part’: What New York Owners Actually Get When They Are Additional Insured on Your GL ‘No Exclusions for Height, XCU or Collapse’: Why an Engineer’s Certificate Cannot Prove a Negative

General definition for education only. It is not an interpretation of any policy or contract, and it is not legal advice. The wording of your own policy and contract controls. Policies and definitions vary by insurance company.

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