What does a "Certificate of Insurance" provide?

A "Certificate of Insurance" serves as a document that provides proof of insurance coverage, specifying key details about the policy, including the type of coverage, the effective dates, and the parties involved—namely the insured and the insurer. This certificate is often required by third parties, such as clients or vendors, to verify that a contractor or service provider has the appropriate insurance coverage in place before starting work.

While some of the other options touch on aspects of insurance policies, they do not accurately describe the primary purpose of a Certificate of Insurance. A summary of all claims filed is not something a Certificate of Insurance would provide, as it is not intended to list claims history or status. Additionally, while a Certificate may mention policy limits indirectly, it does not serve as a comprehensive breakdown of policy limits. Lastly, the exclusions of a policy are typically detailed within the policy document itself, and not included in a Certificate of Insurance, which focuses instead on verifying current coverage.