Glossary

Named insured

The person or entity identified as the insured in the policy's declarations, which holds the coverage and its duties; others qualify only if the policy says so.

Also called: policyholder, insured named in the declarations, NI

The named insured is the party identified in the declarations. It holds the coverage rights and the policy's duties: paying premium, reporting claims, and receiving cancellation notices. When several names are listed, the first named insured acts for all of them on those matters.

Who else is insured depends on the form. Under the ISO CG 00 01 general liability policy, the "Who Is An Insured" section covers an LLC's members only as to the conduct of the business and its managers only as to their duties, and employees for acts within the scope of employment. An organization you newly acquire or form, other than a partnership, joint venture or LLC, and in which you hold majority ownership, is automatically a named insured, but only until the 90th day after acquisition and only if no other similar insurance exists.

The pitfall is the name itself. A wrong legal name, a missing DBA, or an affiliate or subsidiary left off the declarations can leave a claim against that entity uncovered. Match the name to your state filings and list every operating entity. A landlord or client who asks to be added gets additional insured status, which is narrower than named insured status. The declarations page entry shows where the name sits, and the guide on how to read a commercial policy walks through the sections in order.

Last reviewed October 10, 2026

In the index now

Related terms

First named insured The party listed first as a named insured on the declarations, who the policy treats as the contact for premium, cancellation notices and changes. Additional insured A person or business added by endorsement to someone else's liability policy so it can claim directly for suits tied to the policyholder's work or premises. Declarations page The front section of a policy that names the insured, policy period, covered locations or operations, limits, deductibles, premium and the forms attached. Insurable interest A real financial stake in the thing insured, such that you would lose money if it were damaged or a person died; without one a policy generally cannot pay. Certificate of insurance A one-page summary issued by an agent or insurer showing what coverage a business carried on the date issued, which confers no rights on the holder.

Related guides

Additional insured endorsements explained What CG 20 10, CG 20 37, CG 20 26 and CG 20 38 do, how the 04 13 wording limits additional insured coverage, and why a certificate is not the endorsement. Business auto coverage symbols explained: what each number covers Symbols 1 through 9 and 19 on a business auto declarations page decide which vehicles each coverage applies to. Here is what each means and where gaps appear. Certificates of insurance: what they prove and what they do not How to read an ACORD 25 certificate of insurance, what it cannot prove about additional insured status or cancellation, and how state laws limit certificates. Certificate tracking software and digital COIs What certificate tracking software does and cannot verify, what to look for in each tool category, and the state laws that limit what a certificate may say. Commercial auto insurance: what it covers and what it leaves out How a business auto policy works: liability, physical damage, who counts as an insured, which vehicles are covered, common gaps and what drives the premium. Commercial vs personal auto: when you need a business auto policy A personal auto policy stops responding when vehicles are titled to a company, haul goods for pay or carry employees. Learn the tests insurers use and the gaps.

Related tools

Certificate of insurance (COI) review checklist Check a received certificate for the named insured, dates, limits, endorsements and insurer ratings. Each answer becomes a pass or a flag.

Related en español

Certificados de seguro: qué prueban y qué no Cómo leer un certificado de seguro ACORD 25, lo que no prueba sobre asegurado adicional o cancelación, y cómo las leyes estatales limitan los certificados. Cobertura de autos contratados y no propios (HNOA): qué cubre y quién la necesita La HNOA cubre a su negocio cuando alquila un auto o un empleado usa el suyo en el trabajo. Cómo paga, qué excluye y dónde comprarla. Empleados que manejan su propio auto por trabajo: ¿quién responde? Si un empleado choca su auto personal en un mandado de trabajo, él y el empleador pueden responder. Qué seguro paga primero, los huecos y qué política adoptar. Endosos de asegurado adicional, explicados Qué hace cada endoso CG 20 10, CG 20 37, CG 20 26 y CG 20 38, cómo la edición 04 13 limita la cobertura y por qué el certificado no es el endoso. Seguro de auto comercial: qué cubre y qué deja fuera Cómo funciona la póliza de auto comercial: responsabilidad civil, daños físicos, quién es asegurado, qué vehículos cubre, huecos comunes y qué fija la prima.