Risk Management Certificates of Insurance

What is a Certificate of Insurance?
A document, signed by an insurance agent or company, which outlines the types and limits of insurance carried by a vendor, contractor, tenant or other party with whom we have entered into an agreement.

What will I find on a Certificate of Insurance?
• The name of the insurance agent or broker
• The identity of the “Named Insured” that purchased the policy
• The insurer providing the coverage
• The types and amount of the coverage
• The effective dates of the policy.

When do we need them?
Anytime an outside party is:
• Providing a type of good or service for use in the Yale community
• Performing any type of operation/work on Yale property
• Doing any work on behalf of Yale University
• Occupying Yale property for any use

Why are they important?
They are an official means of ensuring the outside party is in compliance with the terms of our agreement, and Yale’s interests are protected. It also provides information on the insurance companies used, so we know where to file claims if needed.

Whenever a department hires vendors or contractors or lets an outside group use Yale’s facilities, something can go wrong and someone may get hurt. You can help protect Yale from liability by requiring a Certificate of Insurance from that entity’s insurance carrier. The certificate proves the vendor or group is insured by a financially stable company and that it carries adequate amounts of insurance for the activity or service.

What types/limits of insurance should be requested?
When requesting a certificate of insurance from vendors or groups, please refer to “Incoming Certificate Requirements” listed below for all certificates of insurance that you request on behalf of Yale University:

These are standard requirements only. Any outside party that may be providing a product that is out of the ordinary, or doing something very risky should provide higher limits, or different types of coverage than what is shown.

Please note also, that a Certificate of Insurance may not be enough protection for contracts that have significant risks or last for extended periods, such as those for construction, transportation services, snow removal, or a children’s camp for example. To ensure compliance with Yale’s Policies and Procedures on contracts requiring proof of insurance, liability risks and issues or any questions that you may have, please call the Risk Management Department for clarification.

What does “Additional Insured” mean?
When Yale is listed as an additional insured, it means that our interests are protected under the insurance policies purchased by the outside party, as respects any work/product, etc. provided to us by the outside party. It allows us to “bypass” our own insurance and use the insurance provided by the outside party. It would also grant Yale full rights to coverage for losses arising out of the services or products that the vendor supplies.

It is vital that Yale University ALWAYS be listed as an additional insured on all general, auto and umbrella or excess liability policies purchased by outside parties.

Where should these certificates go?
A copy should be kept in the vendor or event file for all certificates that you request and receive, and a copy sent to the Risk Management department for review.

When an outside party is requesting a certificate of insurance from Yale, please use the “Request for Certificate of Insurance” listed below.
Please forward all completed certificate requests to Victoria.Ramsay@yale.edu or by fax to 432-5432 for processing. Once received, your request will be submitted to our broker for processing. Please allow at least 72 hours for processing.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

Marjorie Lemmon, Risk Manager	432-0140
Peter LeMay, Asst. Risk Manager	432-6606
Victoria Ramsay, Resource Coordinator	432-8258