# Title 26.1 — Insurance

## Chapter 26.1-39.1 — Property and Casualty Insurance Certificates

### § 26.1-39.1-01. Definitions.

As used in this chapter:
1. "Certificate holder" means a person, other than a policyholder, to which a certificate of
insurance has been issued.
2. "Certificate of insurance" means a document or instrument, regardless of how titled or
described, that is prepared or issued by an insurer or insurance producer as a
statement of property or casualty insurance coverage. The term does not include a
policy of insurance or insurance binder.
3. "Insurance producer" means a person required to be licensed under the laws of this
state to sell, solicit, or negotiate property or casualty insurance.
4. "Insurer" means any organization that issues property or casualty insurance.
5. "Policyholder" means a person that contracted with an insurer for property or casualty
insurance coverage.
### § 26.1-39.1-02. Limitations on issuance of certificates of insurance.

A person may not prepare, issue, or require the issuance of a certificate of insurance on
property, operations, or risks located in this state unless the certificate of insurance form has
been filed with the commissioner by or on behalf of the insurer and has been approved by the
commissioner. The commissioner may designate as meeting the requirements of this section
and not requiring further approval a standard certificate of insurance form, which may include a
form promulgated and filed by a national insurance advisory organization, such as the
association for cooperative research and development, the American association of insurance
services, and the insurance services office.
### § 26.1-39.1-03. Certificate of insurance limitations.

A person may not alter or modify a certificate of insurance form approved by the
commissioner; may not demand, require, or issue a certificate of insurance that contains any
false or misleading information concerning the policy of insurance to which the certificate of
insurance makes reference; and may not knowingly prepare or issue a certificate of insurance
that purports to affirmatively or negatively alter, amend, or extend the coverage provided by the
policy. A certificate of insurance may not contain a reference to a construction contract, service
contract, or insurance requirement for the purpose of amending coverage afforded by the policy
to which the certificate makes reference.
### § 26.1-39.1-04. Notice requirements.

The only circumstance under which a certificate holder is entitled to the legal right to notice
of cancellation, nonrenewal, or any material change or any similar notice concerning a policy of
insurance is if the certificate holder has such notice rights under the terms of the policy or under
any endorsement to the policy. The terms and conditions of the notice, including the required
timing of the notice, are governed by the policy of insurance and may not be altered by a
certificate of insurance.
