What is the legal status of a certificate of insurance in relation to the actual insurance policy?

A certificate of insurance serves as evidence of coverage, meaning it confirms that an insurance policy exists and provides details about the coverage, such as the types of coverage, limits, and policy period. However, it does not serve as the actual insurance policy itself.

The legal status of a certificate of insurance is to provide information to third parties about the insurance coverage the policyholder holds. It outlines key information but does not contain all the specific terms, conditions, or exclusions found in the full insurance policy. Thus, it functions to assure interested parties, such as clients or business partners, that the insured has active coverage without transferring any policy rights or obligations.

It's important to understand that while the certificate is useful for demonstrating the existence of insurance, it does not constitute a contract of insurance in itself, nor does it create any legal rights or obligations that differ from what is outlined in the actual policy.