What is ACORD Insurance Forms.
ACORD insurance forms are standardised documents used across the insurance industry to apply for coverage, prove insurance, and process claims. They are created by ACORD (Association for Cooperative Operations Research and Development), a nonprofit standards body — not an insurance company — that has set insurance form and data standards since 1970. The best-known is the ACORD 25, the certificate of liability insurance.
If you are a business owner or contractor who needs to prove coverage to a client, start with the ACORD 25. If you are applying for a commercial policy, see the ACORD 125. For a home or property, see the ACORD 80 (apply) or ACORD 27 (prove).
What are ACORD insurance forms?
ACORD is a nonprofit standards organisation — not an insurer — that has set insurance data and form standards since 1970. Its members worldwide include thousands of insurers, reinsurers, agents, and brokers, and it maintains hundreds of standardised forms used across more than 100 countries. Because every insurer uses the same layout, a client, lender, or partner can read any ACORD certificate the same way — which is why they are accepted throughout the US and internationally. Here are the forms you are most likely to encounter:
| Form | Name | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| ACORD 23 | Vehicle or Equipment Certificate of Insurance | Requested by lenders and lessors when financing or leasing a vehicle or piece of equipment. |
| ACORD 24 | Certificate of Property Insurance | Requested when a party needs confirmation that a property is insured. |
| ACORD 25 | Certificate of Liability Insurance | Requested by clients, landlords, and partners before a contract or project — the most common COI (current version 2025/12). |
| ACORD 27 | Evidence of Property Insurance | Requested by a mortgage lender to confirm a (often residential) property is insured at closing. |
| ACORD 28 | Evidence of Commercial Property Insurance | Requested by lenders or leaseholders to confirm commercial property coverage. |
| ACORD 35 | Cancellation Request / Policy Release | Used to formally request cancellation of a policy. |
| ACORD 80 | Homeowners Application | Used to apply for homeowners insurance. |
| ACORD 125 | Commercial Insurance Application | Used to apply for commercial insurance (paired with line-specific supplements). |
| ACORD 127 | Business Auto Section | Used when a business adds vehicle coverage to a commercial application. |
Forms without a dedicated guide below (24, 28, 35, and 127) are issued by your insurer or agent directly.
An ACORD certificate (such as the ACORD 25) is issued for information only and confers no rights on the certificate holder. It proves coverage exists but does not extend or guarantee it — and additional insured status comes from an endorsement on the policy, not from the certificate.
ACORD 25 vs 27 vs 28
These three are the most commonly confused, because all are proof-of-coverage forms — but each covers a different thing:
| Form | Covers | Document type |
|---|---|---|
| ACORD 25 | Liability | Certificate of Liability Insurance |
| ACORD 27 | Property (often residential) | Evidence of Property Insurance |
| ACORD 28 | Commercial property | Evidence of Commercial Property Insurance |
Are ACORD forms required?
There is no blanket law that forces you to use ACORD-branded forms specifically, but in practice they are very hard to avoid:
- Usually required in practice in the US — they are the default proof-of-coverage and application format insurers use.
- Not legally mandatory everywhere — no single statute requires the ACORD brand of form.
- Often contractually required — clients, landlords, and lenders routinely demand an ACORD certificate before they sign.
- The accepted industry standard — because they are universal, an ACORD form is recognised without question.
Why ACORD forms matter
- Standardised communication — everyone reads the same layout, reducing misunderstandings.
- Improved accuracy — consistent fields mean fewer missing details and faster processing.
- Wide acceptance — recognised by virtually every US insurer and many abroad, so a certificate is accepted without question.
Common ACORD form examples
The quickest way to know which form you need is to match it to the situation:
| Situation | Form you'll use |
|---|---|
| Contractor bidding on a project | ACORD 25 (proof of liability) |
| Homeowner refinancing a mortgage | ACORD 27 (evidence of property) |
| Business applying for insurance | ACORD 125 (commercial application) |
| Fleet operator seeking vehicle coverage | ACORD 127 (business auto section, with the ACORD 125) |
How to get an ACORD form
Most businesses do not complete ACORD forms themselves — your insurer or agent does. The process is short:
Tell them which form you need and who it is for — for example, an ACORD 25 for a specific client or landlord.
Agents and brokers access the current ACORD library and complete the form using your live coverage.
Check you have received the current version — the ACORD 25, for example, is the 2025/12 edition.
Frequently asked questions
Next steps with ACORD forms
From applications to certificates, ACORD forms give the whole industry one shared language. Once you know which form fits your situation, your agent can issue it in minutes.
Need a specific form?
Start with the most common one — the ACORD 25 certificate of liability insurance — or read the full certificate of insurance guide.
ACORD 25 guide Certificate of insurance guide
ACORD cancellation
Homeowner right to repair for insurance. Questions? Answers.
What is the homeowner’s right to repair?
The homeowner's right to repair refers to the policyholder's option to choose their own contractors to perform repair work on their property following an insurance claim, rather than using contractors selected by the insurance company.
Why would I choose to exercise my right to repair instead of using the insurance company’s contractors?
Exercising your right to repair allows you to have more control over the quality of materials and workmanship, ensures that trusted and reputable contractors handle the repairs, and can often lead to a faster resolution as you are directly involved in managing the project.
What should be included in the request letter to the insurance company?
The request letter should include:
- Your personal and contact information.
- Details of the incident (e.g., date of the fire or flood).
- Your policy number.
- A formal request to exercise your right to repair.
- Information about the chosen contractors, including their credentials and estimates.
- An invitation for the claims adjuster to inspect the property.
How do I choose the right contractors for the repairs?
When selecting contractors, consider their experience with the specific type of damage (e.g., fire or flood), their reputation, licensing and insurance status, references from previous clients, and their ability to provide a detailed estimate and scope of work.
What if the insurance company denies my request to use my own contractors?
If the insurance company denies your request, you should ask for a detailed explanation. It may be helpful to review your policy to understand your rights and, if necessary, seek assistance from a public adjuster or legal counsel to advocate on your behalf.
Can the insurance company impose any conditions on my right to repair?
Yes, the insurance company may impose conditions such as requiring detailed estimates, using licensed and insured contractors, and ensuring that the repairs meet certain standards. It’s important to comply with these conditions to ensure your claim is processed smoothly.
What should I do if the repairs exceed the initial estimates?
Inform your insurance company as soon as you become aware of additional costs. Provide them with updated estimates and an explanation of why the additional expenses are necessary. Most policies will have a procedure for handling cost overruns, but it’s important to get prior approval from the insurer.
Can I be reimbursed for temporary living expenses while repairs are being made?
Yes, if your home is uninhabitable due to the damage, your policy may include additional living expenses (ALE) coverage, which can reimburse you for temporary housing, food, and other necessary expenses while your home is being repaired. Check your policy details and discuss this with your insurance adjuster.
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