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• What is a Certificate of Insurance

What is a Certificate of Insurance?

A certificate of insurance is issued by your agent or broker at your request to prove that your organization has particular types of insurance coverage. Organizations may need to provide a certificate of insurance when they host an event in a private or public facility, to be eligible for certain types of funding, or when signing a contract.

CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE CHECKLIST

Certificates may look different, but usually include the following:

• the insured organization’s name;
• brief description of the insured organization’s operations;
• name of the insurance company;
• summary of the insurance coverage including the types of insurance and the limits of liability for each type (dollar amount);
• policy number;
• policy period (effective/expiration dates).

Requesting a Certificate From Others

The following are some examples of when your organization should consider asking for a certificate of insurance from other organizations or individuals.

REQUESTING A CERTIFICATE FROM OTHERS CHECKLIST

• To confirm external contractors, such as electricians or cleaners have the coverage needed to cover their own liabilities.
• When recruiting volunteers who are considered “professionals” to confirm they have their own professional liability insurance.
• When subcontracting work to other agencies or to professionals.

Working in Partnerships - Liability Concerns?

If your organization enters into formal or informal partnerships to deliver programs or undertake other activities, you? may also be taking on new liabilities. Walk through the following checklist when you are developing a partnership.

PARTNERSHIP LIABILITY CHECKLIST

• Assess the risks of the partnership: What new risks or liabilities are created?
• What can you do to reduce this risk through policies, procedures, or other risk management? strategies?
• Are there any risks or liabilities that need to be insured?
• Which organization(s) will be named on the insurance policy?
• Request a certificate of insurance from your partner(s) to ensure they have coverage for their? liabilities.?
• Do any members of the partnership need to add other members to their insurance policies as? ?additional insured? parties?
• Is your organization handling the funds for the partnership (the fiscal agent)? Talk to your broker or? agent as you may have additional liabilities.?