Certificate of Insurance

A document that describes the key features of the insurance under a group insurance plan.

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It lists things like the type and amount of coverage, categories of dependents, deductibles and coinsurance, limits and exclusions, and instructions for making a claim.

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Whenever there is a 'Certificate of Insurance', it implies there is also a 'Master Policy'.

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The Master Policy is established between the Insurance Company and the Plan Sponsor (often an employer) that has endeavored to set up a a group insurance plan for its employees.

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A similar structure is used for Association Plans (e.g. University Alumni, or Professional Associations), where insured plan members receive a Certificate of Insurance, and the Association is the 'Plan Sponsor' that has established a Master Policy with an Insurance Company.