ACORD forms are the common language of the insurance industry. Whether you are issuing a certificate of insurance, submitting a commercial application, or canceling a policy, chances are you are filling out an ACORD form.
For new independent agents, the number of ACORD forms can feel overwhelming — there are over 800 in the library. The good news: you will use about 15–20 of them regularly, and this guide covers every one that matters for day-to-day agency operations.
What Is ACORD?
ACORD — the Association for Cooperative Operations Research and Development — is a nonprofit that creates standardized forms and data standards for the insurance industry. Founded in 1970, ACORD forms are used by virtually every carrier, agency, and MGA in the United States.
The purpose is simple: standardization. Instead of every carrier creating their own application format, everyone uses the same forms. This reduces errors, speeds up processing, and makes it possible for agents to work with dozens of carriers without learning a different form format for each one.
ACORD Forms Quick Reference
Here is every ACORD form you are likely to encounter, organized by function:
Certificates of Insurance
ACORD 25 — Certificate of Liability Insurance
The most commonly issued ACORD form. The ACORD 25 is a snapshot of a client's current liability coverage — it proves insurance exists but does not modify the policy itself.
- When to use: When a third party (landlord, general contractor, client) requests proof of insurance
- Common requests: Certificate holders, additional insured status, waiver of subrogation
- Key rule: A certificate cannot create coverage that does not exist in the policy. If a contractor needs additional insured status, the endorsement must be added to the policy first — then reflected on the certificate
ACORD 27 — Evidence of Property Insurance
Similar to the ACORD 25, but for property coverage. Shows evidence of building or personal property insurance.
- When to use: Lenders requiring proof of property coverage, landlords requesting evidence of tenant property insurance
- Key rule: Must accurately reflect the current coverage limits and deductibles on the property policy
ACORD 28 — Evidence of Commercial Property Insurance
Evidence form specifically for commercial property coverage. More detailed than the ACORD 27, with fields for building descriptions, business income coverage, and equipment breakdown.
Applications
ACORD 125 — Commercial Insurance Application
The base application for all commercial lines submissions. Collects general business information: entity type, operations, locations, prior coverage, and loss history. Almost always submitted with line-specific supplemental forms.
→ Read our complete ACORD 125 guide
ACORD 126 — Commercial General Liability Section
Supplemental form for general liability coverage. Submitted alongside the ACORD 125. Captures GL-specific information: classification codes, hazards, products/ completed operations exposure, and hired/non-owned auto.
ACORD 127 — Workers Compensation Application
Supplemental form for workers compensation. Captures employee classifications, payroll by class code, experience modification factor, and safety program details.
ACORD 130 — Workers Compensation / Commercial Auto Section
Supplemental form for commercial auto coverage. Captures vehicle schedules, driver information, radius of operations, and cargo details (for trucking).
ACORD 131 — Commercial Umbrella / Excess Application
Supplemental form for umbrella and excess liability coverage. Captures underlying coverage details, requested umbrella limits, and self-insured retention information.
ACORD 133 — Contractors Supplement
Additional questionnaire for contractor risks. Covers subcontractor usage, project types, safety programs, and specialized exposures specific to construction operations.
ACORD 140 — Property Section
Supplemental form for commercial property coverage. Captures building descriptions, construction type, occupancy, protection class, and business income/extra expense details.
ACORD 80 — Homeowners Application
Application for personal homeowners insurance. Captures property details, construction information, coverage selections, and prior loss history.
ACORD 90 — Personal Auto Application
Application for personal auto insurance. Captures vehicle information, driver details, coverage selections, and driving history.
Policy Changes & Cancellations
ACORD 35 — Cancellation Request / Policy Release
The standard form for requesting a policy cancellation and releasing the carrier from liability. The most commonly rejected service form due to named insured mismatches and missing signatures.
→ Read our complete ACORD 35 guide
ACORD 37 — Statement of No Loss
Used when reinstating a policy after a lapse. The insured confirms that no losses occurred during the period the policy was inactive.
- When to use: Client's policy lapsed due to non-payment and the carrier is willing to reinstate
- Key requirement: Must be signed by the insured, confirming no losses during the lapse period
ACORD 175 — Commercial Insurance Policy Change Request
Used to request mid-term changes to a commercial policy: adding/removing vehicles, changing limits, adding endorsements, updating locations, etc.
Specialty Forms
ACORD 101 — Additional Remarks Schedule
When you run out of space on any ACORD form, use the ACORD 101 to provide additional information. It is a catch-all attachment that references the primary form.
ACORD 36 — Request for Loss Experience
Used to request loss runs from a carrier. Loss runs show a client's claims history over the past 3–5 years and are required for most commercial submissions.
ACORD 45 — Additional Interest Schedule
Used when multiple additional insureds, loss payees, or mortgagees need to be listed on a policy. Common for commercial real estate and fleet auto policies.
Best Practices for Working with ACORD Forms
Always Use the Current Edition
ACORD updates forms periodically. Carriers frequently reject submissions made on outdated forms — even when the information is correct. Check the edition date in the footer of the form before submitting.
Use Your AMS to Pre-Fill
Most agency management systems can auto-populate ACORD forms from your client database. This reduces data entry errors and saves significant time. If you are entering the same client data by hand every time, your workflow needs work.
Match the Dec Page Exactly
Named insured, policy number, carrier entity — these must match the declaration page character for character. This is the #1 reason forms get rejected. Make it a habit to have the dec page open when completing any ACORD form.
Keep Copies of Everything
Every ACORD form you submit should be saved to the client file with a date stamp. If a coverage question or E&O claim arises later, your documentation is your defense.
Know Which Forms Go Together
A common mistake is submitting an ACORD 125 without the required supplemental forms. Here are the most common combinations:
- GL submission: ACORD 125 + ACORD 126
- Workers comp submission: ACORD 125 + ACORD 127
- Commercial auto: ACORD 125 + ACORD 130
- Commercial property: ACORD 125 + ACORD 140
- Contractor package: ACORD 125 + ACORD 126 + ACORD 127 + ACORD 133
- Umbrella: ACORD 125 + ACORD 131 + underlying coverage forms
ACORD Forms and IPA
IPA agents have access to ACORD form libraries through our technology platform and carrier portals. Our training programs include commercial submission best practices, including how to complete ACORD forms correctly and efficiently.
Need help with a submission? IPA provides ongoing support for form completion, carrier-specific requirements, and underwriting questions. Our goal is to help you submit clean applications that get quoted faster.