ACORD 25 and COI FAQ for general contractors
A certificate of insurance in construction is usually an ACORD 25 PDF. It does not amend the policy — it is information only. GateCOI reads the PDF your subs email to verify@gatecoi.com, checks it against your rules, and holds payment when something fails.
What is an ACORD 25?
An ACORD 25 is the industry-standard Certificate of Liability Insurance. The producer (broker/agency) fills coverage lines, limits, dates, the named insured (your sub), and the certificate holder (usually you or the owner). Use it as a starting checklist — never as a substitute for the policy or endorsements.
GC checklist: what to verify on every COI
- Each-occurrence and general aggregate GL limits vs your subcontract minimums
- Workers’ compensation (statutory) and employers’ liability where required
- Additional insured wording — and the endorsement form numbers, not just a checkbox
- Waiver of subrogation
- Primary and non-contributory language
- Certificate holder matching your legal entity / project owner
- Effective and expiration dates ahead of Friday check runs
Why additional insured checkboxes mislead teams
A checked “Additional Insured” column on the ACORD 25 is not the endorsement. Ongoing vs completed operations often need different forms (commonly CG 20 10 and CG 20 37). GateCOI extracts description-of-operations / endorsement wording from the PDF and fails the certificate when required waiver or primary & non-contributory language is missing — so your team is not guessing from a box.
Frequently asked questions
What is an ACORD 25?+
An ACORD 25 is the standard Certificate of Liability Insurance form. Brokers use it to summarize general liability, auto, umbrella/excess, and workers’ compensation, plus the producer, named insured, certificate holder, and description of operations. It is issued for information only and does not amend the underlying policy.
What should a general contractor check on every subcontractor COI?+
Check each-occurrence and aggregate GL limits against your subcontract, workers’ compensation where required, additional insured wording and endorsement forms, waiver of subrogation, primary and non-contributory language, certificate holder name, and effective/expiration dates with enough runway before Friday check runs.
Does a checked Additional Insured box on an ACORD 25 mean you are covered?+
No. The checkbox is a claim about endorsements. Confirm the actual forms (often CG 20 10 for ongoing operations and CG 20 37 for completed operations) and the wording for your role. GateCOI flags missing additional insured, waiver, or primary & non-contributory language from the PDF text.
What is waiver of subrogation on a COI?+
It is an endorsement where the sub’s insurer agrees not to pursue the GC or owner after paying a claim. Many GC contracts require it. If the waiver is missing from the certificate or endorsements, GateCOI can hold that sub as not cleared for payment.
Is an ACORD 25 proof that coverage is in force today?+
No. A certificate is evidence a broker issued a form on a given day. It does not guarantee the policy is still active. GateCOI tracks expirations and chases the producer box before lapse, but the GC still owns final review.
How does GateCOI verify ACORD 25 certificates?+
Vendors email the PDF to verify@gatecoi.com. GateCOI reads standard ACORD 25s in under four seconds against your rules, replies pass/fail to the sub, chases the broker from the producer box on fail or before expiry, and updates a Cleared for Payment list for bookkeeping. Pricing is $59/mo flat.
Why do bad COIs show up at insurance audits?+
If a sub worked without the required limits or endorsements, carriers can assess back-premiums at workers’ comp or general liability audit. Holding Friday checks until the certificate clears is usually cheaper than an audit surprise.
Let GateCOI enforce the checklist
$59/mo flat · unlimited projects & certificates · subs only email the PDF