Before a roofer climbs a ladder or a remodeler opens a wall, a careful homeowner often asks for a certificate of insurance. Tennessee law is clear about what that document is. Under Tennessee Code § 56-7-114, a certificate of insurance is not a policy of insurance and does not amend, extend, or alter the coverage afforded by the policy it refers to. It also does not confer any rights beyond what the referenced policy expressly provides.
In other words, a certificate is a snapshot that points to a policy. The policy is what controls.
| Question | What § 56-7-114 says |
|---|---|
| What is a certificate of insurance? | A document prepared or issued by an insurer or insurance producer as evidence of property or casualty coverage |
| What is not a certificate? | A policy, binder, policy endorsement, or auto insurance ID or information card |
| Can it change coverage? | No; it does not amend, extend, or alter coverage or confer rights beyond the policy |
| Can it promise the policy meets my contract? | No; it must not warrant compliance with a contract's insurance or indemnification requirements |
| Will I be told if the policy is canceled? | Only if you have a right to notice under the policy, an endorsement, or state law |
| What if a certificate breaks the rules? | It is void; for intentional violations, a cease-and-desist order and up to $1,000 per violation |
Source: Tennessee Code § 56-7-114.
What a certificate is, and what it is not
The statute defines a certificate of insurance as a document or instrument prepared or issued by an insurer or insurance producer as evidence of property or casualty insurance coverage. It does not include a policy, an insurance binder, a policy endorsement, or an automobile insurance identification or information card. Binders and endorsements are their own documents: TDCI glossary defines an insurance binder as temporary proof of coverage. and TDCI glossary: an endorsement can expand or limit policy benefits.
What no one may ask a certificate to do
Under § 56-7-114, a person may not prepare, issue, request, or require a certificate that contains false or misleading information about the referenced policy, or one that purports to alter, amend, or extend the coverage. A certificate also may not be altered or modified after it is issued. And a certificate must not warrant that the policy complies with the insurance or indemnification requirements of a contract.
A certificate, or any related document, prepared, issued, requested, or required in violation of the section is void. For intentional violations, the commissioner may order the person to cease and desist and assess a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 per violation. The section applies to certificates for property or casualty risks located in Tennessee, regardless of where the policyholder, insurer, or requester is located.
Will you hear about a cancellation?
Many people assume that holding a certificate means they will be told if the contractor's policy is canceled. The statute says an insurer must provide notice of a cancellation, nonrenewal, or material change only if the person has a right to the notice under the policy, an endorsement, or state law. A certificate on its own does not create that right.
A homeowner's checklist when hiring
- Ask for the certificate to come from the contractor's insurance agent or insurer, not a photocopy that has been passed around.
- Look at the policy dates and the types of coverage listed, such as general liability and workers' compensation.
- For workers' comp, Tennessee offers an online check: TDCI’s workers’ comp page says verify coverage online — a certificate may not warn you of cancellation.
- Understand why an uninsured subcontractor can matter: In Tennessee, a business that hires a subcontractor can owe workers' comp to the subcontractor's injured employee.
- Read any roofing contract tied to a claim carefully: Tennessee homeowners can cancel a roofing contract within three business days after their insurer says the claim is not covered.
Your own homeowners policy is a separate contract. If work on your home leads to a claim, start here: How to File a Home Insurance Claim in Tennessee: A Step-by-Step Guide for 2026. Your own coverages are listed on your declarations page: TDCI glossary: what your insurance declarations page shows.
This article is informational only. It summarizes Tennessee Code § 56-7-114 and is not legal advice. It does not promise coverage or eligibility; the policy itself controls.
Related reading from All Seasons
- TDCI’s workers’ comp page says verify coverage online — a certificate may not warn you of cancellation.
- In Tennessee, a business that hires a subcontractor can owe workers' comp to the subcontractor's injured employee.
- Tennessee homeowners can cancel a roofing contract within three business days after their insurer says the claim is not covered.
- TDCI glossary defines an insurance binder as temporary proof of coverage.
- TDCI glossary: an endorsement can expand or limit policy benefits.
- TDCI glossary: what your insurance declarations page shows.
- How to File a Home Insurance Claim in Tennessee: A Step-by-Step Guide for 2026
Free policy review
All Seasons Insurance Group offers a free personal policy review. Call 865-263-1400 or visit asigtn.com/get-a-quote/. This article is informational only and does not promise coverage or eligibility; your policy forms control. Seasons change. So should your coverage.
Is a certificate of insurance the same as an insurance policy in Tennessee?
No. Tennessee Code 56-7-114 says a certificate of insurance is not a policy and does not amend, extend, or alter the coverage of the policy it refers to.
Who issues a certificate of insurance?
The statute defines it as a document prepared or issued by an insurer or insurance producer as evidence of property or casualty insurance coverage.
Is my auto insurance ID card a certificate of insurance?
No. The definition excludes a policy, binder, policy endorsement, and automobile insurance identification or information card.
Can a certificate promise the policy meets my contract's requirements?
No. A certificate of insurance must not warrant that the policy complies with the insurance or indemnification requirements of a contract.
Will I be notified if my contractor's policy is canceled?
Only if you have a right to notice under the policy, an endorsement, or state law. The certificate alone does not create that right.
What happens to a certificate that breaks these rules?
It is void. For intentional violations, the commissioner may issue a cease-and-desist order and assess a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per violation.
Can someone edit a certificate after it is issued?
No. The statute says a person shall not alter or modify a certificate of insurance after issuance.
How can All Seasons help after reading this?
Call 865-263-1400 or visit asigtn.com/get-a-quote/ for a free personal policy review. Informational only; no coverage promises. Seasons change. So should your coverage.
