A contract requirement for advance notice if a policy is cancelled.
Notice of cancellation is a requirement that your insurer provide advance notice (usually 30 days) to certificate holders if your policy is cancelled. A standard COI alone generally does not guarantee this. Current ACORD 25 certificates simply state that notice "will be delivered in accordance with the policy provisions," which ties any notice to what the underlying policy requires—typically notice to the named insured, not the certificate holder. To obtain a binding right to notice, the certificate holder usually needs a specific notice-of-cancellation endorsement added to the policy. (Older pre-2010 ACORD forms used weaker "endeavor to mail notice" wording that has since been removed.) State laws may also impose specific notice periods—for example, some states require shorter notice (e.g., 10 days) for cancellation due to nonpayment.
"Should any of the above described policies be cancelled before the expiration date thereof, notice will be delivered in accordance with the policy provisions."
Notice of cancellation is a contractual requirement that your insurance company provide advance written notice—typically 30 days—to a certificate holder if your policy is cancelled or non-renewed. This protects landlords, clients, and other parties who rely on your insurance by giving them time to respond if your coverage lapses. The notice must be delivered according to the method specified in your policy or endorsement.
A standard ACORD 25 certificate of insurance does not guarantee notice of cancellation. Current ACORD certificates state that notice will be delivered in accordance with the policy provisions, but most policies don't automatically provide notice to certificate holders. To secure a binding right to notice of cancellation, the certificate holder typically needs to be named in a specific notice-of-cancellation endorsement attached to your policy.
To provide notice of cancellation protection to a vendor or landlord, request a specific notice-of-cancellation endorsement from your insurance broker or carrier. This endorsement names the party who will receive notice and specifies the notice period (usually 10 to 30 days). The endorsement creates a binding obligation for your insurer to notify them if your policy is cancelled, non-renewed, or materially changed. Some endorsements may have an additional cost.
Definitions are educational and may be modified by your specific policy language, endorsements, and state rules. For regulatory guidance, refer to the California Department of Insurance or the NAIC.
Last updated: July 2026.