Certificate of insurance request builder: ask for exactly what the contract requires

Certificate request builder

QUICK ANSWER

Enter who is asking for the certificate, the coverage and minimum limits in their contract, and the endorsements they want: additional insured, waiver of subrogation, primary and non-contributory wording, notice of cancellation. The builder writes a complete request you can send to any agent, or you issue it yourself as a live certificate from the CoverMatch wallet.

Reviewed by CoverMatch licensed agents, Licensed property & casualty agents · Reviewed Nov 3, 2026 Updated Nov 4, 2026

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01Say who is askingTheir legal name exactly as it should appear, and their address. A misspelled holder name is the most common reason a certificate gets sent back.
02Copy what the contract requiresThe lines of coverage and minimum limits, and each endorsement it mentions. If you are not sure, the lease and contract checker reads the document for you.
03Send it, or issue it yourselfCopy the request to your agent, or bring your policies to the wallet and issue a live certificate in a minute.

What a complete request includes

A certificate request that comes back right the first time names the holder exactly, lists each line of coverage with the minimum limits from the contract, names the endorsements required, and mentions the project or location when the contract is tied to one. The builder puts all of it in one message so nothing is left for a second round of emails.

Endorsements are the part that takes time

Limits are usually already on the policy. Additional insured status, a waiver of subrogation and primary and non-contributory wording are endorsements, and they are either on the policy as blanket endorsements or need to be added by the carrier. Asking for copies up front saves the back-and-forth.

Live certificates replace the request entirely

With your policies in the CoverMatch wallet, you add the holder yourself and the certificate issues on the spot when the policy already carries the endorsements they want. The holder gets a private link that stays current and tells them if anything changes, so you never resend a certificate at renewal.

Questions people actually ask

What is the difference between a certificate holder and an additional insured?

A certificate holder receives proof that you have insurance. An additional insured is actually covered under your policy for claims that come from your work for them. The second needs an endorsement on the policy, which is why the request asks for copies.

Why do contracts ask for a waiver of subrogation?

Without it, your carrier could pay a claim and then try to recover the money from the other party. A waiver gives up that right in their favor. It is an endorsement on your policy, not just a box on the certificate.

What does primary and non-contributory mean?

It means your policy pays first for claims covered under the additional insured endorsement, without asking the other party's insurance to share the cost. Landlords and general contractors ask for it often.

Does a certificate change my policy?

No. A certificate is information only. If the contract requires an endorsement your policy does not have, the endorsement has to be added to the policy by the carrier first.

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