Insurance Journal Forums

We have a healthy debate going here as to whether or not you should send out the supporting forms with certificates of insurance. Some of us send out the Additional Insured endorsement, the form that gives them Waiver of Subrogation, or any other form that may be relevent to the particular certificate with every certificate they process, whether it's specifically requested or not. Then others of us send them only when requested. I am trying to develop an protocal that we can all operate under for obvious reasons. (Yes, I know we should be consistent either way for E&O and purposes, which is why this is being discussed) It is extremely time consuming to send all the forms out with every certificate,and we all know how the work loads of CSRs are...

What do you see as the E&O pros and cons of sending out the forms with certificates?

Send out the forms, put the burden on the Cert Holder to raise the questions. Not sending out the forms lets the Cert Holder interpret that they are covered for everything!

If you endorse a policy, you must send a copy of the endorsement to the insured. You are getting paid a commission to handle the insured's account. Earn it!!!
Having handled E & O claims for a major direct writer, it is clear that most resulted from a lack or common sense and laziness on the part of the agency personnel.

A certificate of insurance means nothing except what is read into it. Always attach the supporting endorsements as they show the exact cover extended from the policy AND they cover your butt in case of a claim.

californiadude wrote:Send out the forms, put the burden on the Cert Holder to raise the questions. Not sending out the forms lets the Cert Holder interpret that they are covered for everything!

What he said! I'm sure the last thing you want is a client saying the issue was ambiguous and they assumed they were covered because the supporting documents weren't sent out.