The ACORD 25 is the standardized certificate of liability insurance form used throughout the insurance industry to provide proof of commercial liability coverage. Published by the Association for Cooperative Operations Research and Development, this form is recognized nationwide by general contractors, property owners, lenders, and government agencies as the standard document for verifying a contractor's insurance. When someone asks for your "COI" or "certificate," they are requesting an ACORD 25.
The ACORD 25 contains several key sections that roofing contractors should understand. The producer section identifies your insurance agent or broker. The insured section lists your business name and address. The coverages section shows each policy type (CGL, auto, umbrella, workers comp) with its limits, policy number, and effective dates. The description of operations section is where your agent notes project-specific information, additional insured status, waiver of subrogation, and primary and noncontributory designations.
The description of operations box is limited in space, so your agent must be precise in documenting endorsements and special provisions that apply to the certificate holder. Common entries include "Certificate holder is named as additional insured per written contract," "Waiver of subrogation applies per policy endorsement," and "Coverage is primary and noncontributory." Review every COI before it is sent to the GC to confirm the description of operations accurately reflects your contractual obligations. Errors on COIs can delay project starts or create coverage disputes during claims.