General liability questions often show up as certificate requests. A customer, landlord, contractor, lender, or vendor may ask for proof of coverage, additional insured wording, waiver wording, project details, or limits before work can start. The deadline matters, but the wording matters too.

What to send with the request

• Certificate holder name and delivery email or mailing address.
• Job name, project address, lease, contract, or vendor requirement.
• Requested wording for additional insured, waiver, primary and noncontributory, or special limits.
• Deadline and whether work, payment, access, or a permit depends on the certificate.
• Any contract page that explains the insurance requirement.

A certificate is not a policy change by itself

A certificate shows proof of existing coverage. It does not automatically add coverage, change limits, or make every contract requirement acceptable. If the wording asks for something the policy does not already provide, the office may need to review the request before sending a final certificate.

Send contract wording early when timing matters. A request starts review; it does not bind, change, reinstate, cancel, or guarantee coverage.