ACORD 25 sample certificate — every field explained

The ACORD 25 (Certificate of Liability Insurance) is the one-page form every broker and shipper asks for before they tender a load. Below is a filled-in sample using demo policy data, followed by a plain-English breakdown of what compliance departments look at in each box. The sample carries a SAMPLE ONLY watermark — it is for reference, not for tendering.

What each ACORD 25 field means

Producer

The agency or platform issuing the certificate, with a phone number and email a broker can call to confirm coverage.

Insured

Your legal business name, DBA, physical address and USDOT / MC numbers. This must match your policy declarations page exactly, or compliance will reject the COI.

Insurer(s) affording coverage

Each carrier is given a letter (A, B, C…) plus its NAIC number. The letters map to the INSR LTR column in the coverage table.

Commercial general liability

Premises and operations coverage. Brokers commonly require $1,000,000 each occurrence and $2,000,000 general aggregate.

Automobile liability

The combined single limit for the power unit — typically $1,000,000 for interstate for-hire trucking under FMCSA minimums.

Motor truck cargo

The cargo limit, usually $100,000 for dry van and reefer freight, higher for high-value commodities. Debris removal is often expected.

Physical damage

Comprehensive and collision on the tractor and trailer, shown as a stated amount. Required when a lender or lessor is involved.

ADDL INSD / SUBR WVD columns

Checked when the broker is added as Additional Insured or when Waiver of Subrogation applies. Endorsement language must also appear in remarks.

Description of operations

Free-text remarks: load or reference number, additional insured and loss payee wording, and 30-day notice of cancellation language.

Certificate holder

The broker or shipper requesting the COI, with the attention line and address they gave on the load confirmation.

Cancellation & authorized representative

Standard cancellation clause plus the signature of the authorized representative. An unsigned certificate is usually rejected.

Common reasons a broker rejects a COI

• Insured name does not match the carrier name on the load confirmation.
• Certificate holder box shows the wrong broker office or address.
• Additional Insured or Waiver of Subrogation was requested but never endorsed.
• Policy dates expire before the delivery date.
• Cargo limit is below the commodity value on the rate confirmation.