1. Certificates of Insurance
“Rolling Stone Syndrome” or
You Can’t Always Get What You Want

2. Introduction What is(n’t) a certificate of insurance?
Informational snapshot only
A certificate cannot modify a policy
A certificate is not a contract
Three types of certificate requirements
Wish list
Fallback position
Deal breaker

3. Uninsurable Requests “Any”… “Primary and noncontributory”
Acts, errors, omissions
Claims, costs, expenses, liabilities, penalties, or fines
“Primary and noncontributory”
What does ‘noncontributory’ mean?
Non-CGL policies

4. “Illegal” Requests Nonexistent coverage Certificate modifications
Withdrawn additional insured endorsements
Transfer of sole negligence
Certificate modifications
Striking through/amending language/disclaimers
ACORD copyright violation
Statute, regulation or DOI directive violation

5. Inappropriate Requests
Cancellation notice
Not provided by most AI endorsements
“Endeavor to” may not be feasible
Non-ACORD certificates
Usually require insurance company approval
Improper requests or copyright infringement

6. Impractical Requests Unavailable or expensive coverages
Completed operations, EFIS, pollution, etc.
Give ample time for market search before bidding
Again, not everything is insurable
Indemnification is not insurance
Beware uninformed or unscrupulous agents

7. Recommendations
Involve your agent BEFORE bidding and entering into indemnity agreements
Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America Certificates Resource Center:
Contact ME at ____________________

8. Final Comment…
As the Rolling Stones sang, you can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometime, you just might find…you get what you need.