The Office of the Commissioner has issued a bulletin defining certificates of insurance, requirements for said certificates and penalties for violations. Certificates are a synopsis of coverage under an insurance policy at the time the certificate is issued. They cannot be used to alter or expand coverage in any way. The statutory definition of certificate is: "any document or instrument, no matter how titled or described, which is prepared or issued by an insurer or insurance producer as evidence of property or casualty insurance coverage. 'Certificate' or 'certificate of insurance' shall not include a policy of insurance or insurance binder, including any policy of insurance which may be referred to as a certificate, or any insurance information card or identification card issued in conjunction with a motor vehicle insurance policy." OCGA § 33-24- 19.1 (a) (1).

Certificates must be issued on ACORD, ISO, or other forms approved by the insurance commissioner. They must include this disclaimer:  "This certificate of insurance is issued as a matter of information only and confers no rights upon the certificate holder. This certificate does not amend, extend or alter the coverage, terms exclusions and conditions afforded by the policies referenced herein."

Providing a certificate on an unapproved or altered form, or including information that alters or expands coverage is a violation of the law, and fines can be up to $5,000 for each violation. The law applies to all certificate holders, requesters of certificates, policyholders, insurers, producers and certificate forms themselves.