ACORD 27 form. How to fill Evidence of property Insurance
The ACORD 27 is the Evidence of Property Insurance form — it proves a property is insured and is most often requested by a mortgage lender before a loan closes. It is the simpler evidence-of-property form, used for residential, personal property, and straightforward property verification. For complex commercial property, lenders use the more detailed ACORD 28 instead. The ACORD 27 is issued and signed by your insurance agent or broker.
If you are a homeowner, your mortgage lender will request this form from your insurer. If you are a real estate agent or closer, you will need to verify it before closing.
What is the ACORD 27 form?
Completing it accurately prevents delays at closings and mortgage approvals. Note that in many states the wording of the ACORD 27 cannot be modified without approval from the state Department of Insurance. For the full set of forms, see what are ACORD insurance forms.
Who uses the ACORD 27?
It serves anyone who needs to prove or verify property coverage, including:
- Homebuyers
- Mortgage lenders
- Property owners refinancing
- Property investors
- Property managers
- Insurance agents
The quickest way to know whether you need one is to match it to your situation:
| Situation | Need an ACORD 27? |
|---|---|
| New mortgage | Yes |
| Refinance | Yes |
| Home purchase | Yes |
| Commercial building | Usually ACORD 28 |
| Liability proof only | No — use the ACORD 25 |
Why the ACORD 27 matters
- Proof of insurance — documents that a property is covered for a real estate or financing transaction.
- Standardised format — lets a lender confirm coverage without reading the whole policy.
- Enables closings — commonly required for mortgage approval and real estate closings.
How to fill out the ACORD 27, step by step
The date plus the issuing agent or broker's name, address, and contact details.
The property owner's name and mailing address, matching the property title or mortgage documents exactly.
The insurer providing coverage, with its NAIC code (the five-digit carrier identifier) if available.
A dedicated section, separate from the insured's mailing address: the property's physical address, county, and occupancy/use, plus a short building description. If the form covers contents or equipment instead of a building, describe those (year, make, model, serial number).
If financed, list the lender and its interest. For real property a lender is shown as mortgagee; for personal or commercial property, as lender's loss payee. These are stronger than a plain "loss payee" (see the mortgagee clause section below). Include the loan number and verify the name and address against the mortgage documents.
Policy number, effective and expiration dates, the type of insurance, and the limits.
Describe the coverage and the perils form — Basic, Broad, or Special (open) perils. Many lenders require Special/open-perils coverage. Note endorsements such as flood or earthquake. If the property is in a FEMA flood zone, flood insurance may be required separately — confirm with the lender whether it must appear here or on a separate NFIP certificate.
The deductible for each coverage — what the insured pays before the insurer does.
Any clauses affecting coverage or the lender's interest.
An authorised agency representative signs and dates the form to certify the coverage.
What is a mortgagee clause?
A mortgagee clause is the provision — backed by an endorsement on the policy — that protects a lender's interest in the insured property. It is the highest-value concept on the ACORD 27, because it determines whether the lender is actually protected.
- Why lenders require it — the loan is secured by the property, so if the property is damaged, the lender needs the insurance proceeds to protect its collateral.
- How it protects the lender — under a standard mortgage clause, the mortgagee can still collect even if the insured's own acts or omissions would void coverage (for example, the insured's failure to file a timely proof of loss, or intentional damage). A plain "loss payee" does not get this protection.
- Insured vs mortgagee — the insured owns the policy and the property; the mortgagee is the lender named to receive proceeds up to the outstanding loan balance.
- Common lender requirement — mortgagee status for real property, or lender's loss payee status for personal/commercial property — not simply "loss payee."
As with all ACORD certificates, these rights are only real once the matching endorsement is attached to the underlying policy. The ACORD 27 reports the status; the endorsement grants it.
What the ACORD 27 does not do
- Does not create coverage — it reports the policy; it does not grant insurance.
- Does not replace the insurance policy — the policy and its endorsements control what is covered.
- Does not modify coverage — it cannot change policy terms.
- Does not guarantee a claim will be paid — payment still depends on the policy.
- Does not create mortgage rights beyond the policy — the lender's protection comes from the endorsement, not the certificate.
ACORD 27 vs ACORD 28
| ACORD 27 | ACORD 28 |
|---|---|
| Evidence of Property Insurance | Evidence of Commercial Property Insurance |
| Residential, personal property, and simpler or smaller commercial property | Commercial property requiring more detailed coverage information (mortgagee interests, valuation, coinsurance, notice provisions) |
| Answers "is the property insured?" | Answers "is it insured, and exactly how am I protected?" for complex commercial risks |
ACORD 27 vs a homeowners insurance policy
These are constantly confused — one is a summary, the other is the contract:
| ACORD 27 | Homeowners insurance policy |
|---|---|
| Proof of coverage | The legal contract |
| One page | Full document |
| For lenders and interested parties | For the policyholder |
| Summary | Detailed terms and conditions |
Example: a home purchase closing
Jane is buying a house. Her lender requires homeowners insurance, an ACORD 27 as evidence of that coverage, and a mortgagee clause naming the lender. Jane's insurance agent issues the ACORD 27 — showing the property address, the policy limits and dates, Special-perils coverage, and the lender as mortgagee — and the closing proceeds.
Common ACORD 27 mistakes
- Wrong lender (mortgagee) name or clause language.
- Missing mortgagee clause.
- Coverage below the lender's requirements.
- Incorrect property address.
- Expired effective dates.
- Multiple lenders not all listed.
Download the ACORD 27 form
You can download a sample ACORD 27 (Evidence of Property Insurance) PDF to see the layout. For a live, signed form, request it from your insurer or agent.
Frequently asked questions
Get the ACORD 27 right to avoid closing delays
Accurate evidence of property insurance keeps mortgage approvals and closings on track. Confirm the mortgagee clause, limits, perils, and dates before you submit.
Need more on certificates?
See the full overview of ACORD forms, the standard liability certificate, and the general certificate of insurance guide.
All ACORD forms 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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