What is the difference between a certificate of insurance and a declaration page?

Asked by: Dr. Dan Cummerata DVM  |  Last update: November 14, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (66 votes)

A declaration page summarizes insurance policy details (often a dozen or more page's worth) into one or two pages to help the policyholder find answers quickly. A certificate of insurance, also called proof of insurance, is a sharable quick guide to your policy.

Is a certificate of insurance the same as a declaration page?

To put it bluntly: a declaration page is not the same thing as a certificate of insurance. A declaration page is an internal document for a policyholder's reference, whereas a certificate of insurance is an external-facing document used to present evidence of insurance coverage to or for third parties.

What is the difference between a declaration and a certification?

The differences are substantive.

The certificate is only as true as the professionalism of the expert, i.e. the certification body. Declaration of Conformity is a document by which the First Party GUARANTEES that it has met the safety requirements for products.

What is the difference between coi and epi?

Both a COI and an Evidence of Property Insurance (EPI) describe insurance coverage, but a Certificate of Insurance describes liability coverage while an Evidence of Property Insurance describes property coverage. An Evidence of Property Insurance form describes property coverage using the ACORD 27 & 28 forms.

What is a certificate of insurance document?

A COI is a statement of coverage issued by the company that insures your business. Usually no more than one page, a COI provides a summary of your business coverage. It serves as verification that your business is indeed insured.

How Much Does a Certificate of Insurance Cost?

17 related questions found

What is an insurance declaration document?

An insurance declarations page tells you almost everything about your policy, from who's covered to which coverages you pay for. Your insurance company will send your declarations page to you via email, fax, or regular mail as soon as you buy your policy.

What type of information is not included in a certificate of insurance?

A certificate of insurance provides proof of coverage but does not include information about the cost of premiums. Specifically, details about filing claims, policy benefits, exclusions, and the duration of coverage are also not included.

Is a COI the same as an insurance policy?

A certificate of insurance (COI) is a document issued by an insurance company or broker. The COI verifies the existence of an insurance policy and summarizes the key aspects and conditions of the policy.

What is the difference between EOI and declaration page?

Q: What is the difference between an EOI and a declaration page? A: The most significant difference is the term. The EOI usually has a term of 30-60 days, while a declaration page will have more detail, including additional insureds or anyone else with a financial interest in the home, such as a mortgagee.

What is a certified copy of an insurance policy?

A certified copy is a duplicated version of an original document that has been verified by an authorized individual. This verification process confirms that the copy is an accurate representation of the original, making it a legally acceptable substitute in various official and legal contexts.

What is the purpose of a declaration?

What is a Declaration used for? You usually use Declarations when filing or responding to motions in court. The information in a Declaration can help the judge decide how to rule on the motion. At a hearing on a motion, the parties do not get much time to speak.

What does declaration certificate mean?

The act of declaration means to provide a statement of fact or to make a formal announcement. Hence, a declaration form is one that allows an individual, business, or any other corporate entity to make a formal statement about a particular thing.

What is the difference between DoC and CoC?

For example, when talking of EMC topics, our "CE Declaration of Conformity" states that our camera design conforms to the CE standards listed in the DoC. A "Certificate of Compliance" (CoC) is a document which confirms that the parts you received meet the specifications submitted at the time of ordering.

Who signs a coi?

Response 2: The authorized signature is from the person authorized to issue the certificate, not necessarily the agent of record. Authorization comes from the insurer since the agent is issuing on the insurer's behalf.

How many pages is a declaration page?

Unless more than one page is necessary to list all of the relevant information, an insurance declaration page is typically just one single page.

How much does a certificate of insurance cost?

A certificate of insurance is free. Much like a receipt, the document is proof that the policyholder paid for the policy and has insurance. The cost of the policy depends on the type of insurance, your policy limits, and business factors, such as revenue and number of employees.

Is a declaration page the same as a certificate of insurance?

No, a COI and a declaration page are not the same. A declaration page, commonly known as a “dec page,” is a section found at the beginning of your insurance policy. It outlines key details such as policyholder information, coverage limits, deductibles, and premium amounts.

What is another name for the declaration page?

A declarations page, often called a “dec page,” can be found in the front of your policy. The dec page summarizes your policy and coverages, limits and deductibles, and the dates your policy is effective.

Is a certificate of insurance the same as evidence of insurance?

In short, evidence of insurance and certificates of insurance are very similar in that they are both types of proof of insurance. The main difference is that one should be used for first person coverages and the other for third person coverages.

Are certificates of insurance legally binding?

Courts have generally held that certificates of insurance are not contracts and, therefore, not enforceable.

Who should be listed on COI?

The policy holder on a COI is the person or entity whose name is primary on the insurance coverage. It is the person who has purchased the coverage from an insurance company, pays for the premiums, and would receive the benefits should a claim ever be filed.

How to request a certificate of insurance from a vendor?

In order to ask for a certificate of insurance online (for any kind of insurance, including liability coverage and business insurance), you'll simply write out a COI request message and send it digitally via email or whatever communications platform you use to speak with your potential new vendor.

What is included in insurance declaration page?

An insurance declarations page is a summary of your insurance policy, outlining key details like coverage limits, premiums and deductibles. It's essential because it provides a quick reference to your coverage, helping you understand your protections and obligations.

What are certificates of insurance only used for?

A certificate of insurance, or COI, is a document frequently used in business transactions. The purpose of a COI is to provide evidence of an insurance policy supplied by an insurance company, typically to ensure that a vendor that you'd like to work with has active, adequate coverage in place.

What information can a certificate include?

In their simplest form, a certificate contains a public key and a name. The certificate may also contain an expiration date, the name of the certifying authority that issued the certificate, a serial number and optional additional information.