US exposure

The ACORD 25 certificate of liability insurance, explained for UK businesses

An ACORD 25 is a standard one-page certificate summarising a business’s liability insurance, used across the US as proof of cover. It matters because US clients often ask for one, and the certificate itself does not change what your policy covers.

Part of: Public liability with US jurisdiction

In short

ACORD, an insurance standards organisation, publishes the ACORD 25, the standard US form for evidencing liability insurance. It lists the insured, insurers, policy numbers, periods, limits and the certificate holder. US venues, colleges and corporate clients ask UK suppliers for one before work starts. A certificate is information only: New York Insurance Law section 502, for example, says a certificate cannot amend, extend or alter cover or give anyone rights beyond the policy. If a contract needs additional insured status, a waiver of subrogation or primary and non-contributory cover, the policy must be endorsed first.

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What an ACORD 25 is

Last reviewed 7 October 2026 by the Apex commercial team.

ACORD is an insurance industry standards organisation. It says it “facilitates fast, accurate data exchange and more efficient workflows through the development of electronic standards, standardized forms, and tools to support their use”. The ACORD 25 is its standard form for evidencing liability insurance, and it is the document most US businesses mean when they ask a supplier for a “COI” or certificate of insurance.

A completed ACORD 25 typically summarises, on one page:

the named insured and the broker or agent who issued the certificate;
the insurers and policy numbers for each liability cover, such as general liability, auto, umbrella or excess, and workers’ compensation;
policy periods and limits;
a description of operations, which is where project or event details usually go; and
the certificate holder: the person who asked for it.

It is a summary. It records what the policies say on the day it is issued; it is not itself a policy.

Why US clients, venues and colleges ask for one

US organisations ask for certificates because their contracts require suppliers to carry stated insurance, and the certificate is how they check. The examples below are illustrative.

Venues and trade shows. A UK exhibitor booking stand space at a US convention centre is asked for a certificate showing general liability limits, with the venue and organiser named.
Universities and colleges. A UK speaker, trainer or consultant delivering on a US campus is asked for a certificate before the purchase order is released.
Corporate clients. A US company’s vendor onboarding system will not set up a UK supplier until a certificate is uploaded showing the limits in the master services agreement.
Contractors and installers. A UK firm installing equipment on a US site is asked for a certificate naming the site owner and main contractor as additional insureds.

A UK business usually meets this request in one of two ways: its broker completes a certificate in the format the client asks for, or provides an insurer letter or policy schedule. Some US clients will only accept their usual form, so ask early.

Certificate vs endorsement: what actually changes cover

The most important point about any certificate is that it does not change the policy. New York’s Insurance Law section 502 is a clear statutory example: a certificate of insurance “shall not amend, extend, or alter the coverage provided by the insurance policy”, and shall not confer on anyone “any rights beyond those expressly provided by the policy”.

So when a US contract asks for more than proof of cover, the policy itself has to change, by endorsement. The certificate then refers to that endorsement.

What the client asks for	What it means	Where it has to be done
Certificate holder	The client receives the certificate. No rights under the policy.	The certificate only
Additional insured	The client is given cover under your policy, usually for liability arising from your work	A policy endorsement, agreed by the insurer
Waiver of subrogation	Your insurer gives up its right to recover a claim it paid from the client	A policy endorsement
Primary and non-contributory	Your policy pays before the client’s own insurance and does not ask it to share	A policy endorsement or wording
Notice of cancellation	The client is told if your policy is cancelled	A policy endorsement, if the insurer agrees

For more detail, read our pages on additional insured endorsements and waiver of subrogation.

Where UK businesses run into problems

US jurisdiction. A certificate showing a UK public liability policy is of little value if the policy excludes claims brought in US courts. Check that first; see public liability with US jurisdiction.
Different cover names. The ACORD 25 is designed around US cover types, such as commercial general liability and workers’ compensation. UK public, products and employers’ liability do not map exactly, so the description needs care.
Limits per occurrence and aggregate. US contracts usually ask for both. A UK policy may have an any-one-occurrence limit for public liability and an aggregate for products. Describe it accurately rather than filling every box.
Endorsements not in place. Ticking “additional insured” on a certificate without the endorsement on the policy misleads the client and helps no one when a claim arrives.
Timing. Certificates are snapshots. Venues often want a fresh one for each event, and clients ask again at renewal.

Common misunderstandings

“Being certificate holder means we’re covered.” It doesn’t. The certificate holder receives information, not cover.
“If the certificate says additional insured, they are one.” Only if the policy has been endorsed. Under New York’s section 502, a certificate cannot confer rights beyond the policy.
“Our broker can produce any certificate the client wants.” A broker can only certify what the policy actually provides.
“A certificate is just paperwork.” It is a statement about your cover that a client relies on. Get it right.

What to do when you’re asked for an ACORD 25

Get the insurance clause from the contract, not just the request email.
Send your broker the full list: limits, who is to be named, and any additional insured, waiver or primary wording.
Check your policy includes US jurisdiction for the work involved.
Allow time for endorsements. Insurers may need to agree them, and some will not.
Keep a copy of each certificate issued and diarise renewals.

You can ask for a certificate through our certificate of insurance request page.

Asked for a US certificate?

If this affects your business, these are the points a broker will ask about:

The contract’s insurance clause in full.
Who needs to be named, and in what capacity.
Where in the US the work or event is, and for how long.
Whether the client requires additional insured, waiver of subrogation or primary and non-contributory wording.
The limits the contract asks for, per occurrence and in the aggregate.

Speak to a broker

Liability cover with US paperwork handled by a named broker

Send us your current schedule, or tell us about the property if you are arranging cover for the first time. Or leave your number and a named broker will call you back, usually the same working day.

Start your quote →or call 0117 325 0027

How Apex places this cover

Apex Insurance Brokers is an independent insurance broker based in Bristol, established in 2009 and authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We are not tied to one insurer: we work with over 30 markets, including Lloyd’s syndicates through wholesale brokers, and every client has a named broker who handles the placement, mid-term changes, certificates for clients and the renewal.

A short fact-find. We ask what you actually do, for whom, under what contract terms, and what has gone wrong before.
A written presentation to insurers. Under the Insurance Act 2015 you must make a fair presentation of the risk. We help you meet that duty, and a well-presented risk gets better terms.
Quotes you can compare. Limits, excesses, retroactive dates, exclusions and premium side by side, with a plain-English recommendation.
No gap in cover. If you are moving from another insurer or broker, we line up the new policy to start the moment the old one ends.

Related guides

Sources

Frequently asked

What is an ACORD 25 certificate?

It is a standard form, published by the insurance standards organisation ACORD, that summarises a business’s liability insurance on one page: the insured, insurers, policy numbers, dates, limits and the certificate holder. US clients and venues use it to check that a supplier has the insurance their contract requires.

Can a UK insurance broker issue an ACORD 25?

A UK broker can often provide a certificate in ACORD format, or an insurer letter or schedule, showing what the UK policy provides. What matters is that it accurately reflects the policy, including whether US jurisdiction applies. Some US clients accept only their usual form, so check before the deadline.

Does being a certificate holder make someone an additional insured?

No. A certificate holder simply receives the certificate. Additional insured status is cover under your policy and needs an endorsement agreed by the insurer. New York Insurance Law section 502 is one example of a law saying a certificate cannot confer rights beyond those in the policy.

Does a certificate of insurance change my cover?

No. It records what the policy provides on the date it is issued. New York’s section 502 states that a certificate shall not amend, extend or alter the coverage. Changes such as additional insureds or waivers of subrogation must be made to the policy by endorsement.

Why does a US venue want a new certificate for every event?

A certificate is a snapshot on the day it is issued, and venues usually want one naming them for the specific event dates. They also want to see that the policy is current at the time of the event, so expect to provide a fresh certificate for each booking and after renewal.

Ready to compare cover?

Apex arranges liability cover for UK businesses working with US clients and venues. Send us the contract’s insurance clause and we’ll tell you what the policy needs. Or call 0117 325 0027.

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Apex Insurance Brokers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales, company number 07014570. This page is general information, not advice on your individual circumstances. Cover is always subject to the insurer’s acceptance and the policy terms, and this page does not guarantee that cover will be available or on what terms.