A CERTIFICATE OF INURANCE NAMING A PARTY AS AN ADDITIONAL INSURED IS EVIDENCE THAT THERE IS A CONTRACT TO THAT EFFECT, BUT IT IS NOT CONCLUSIVE PROOF OF THE EXISTENCE OF A CONTRACT AND WILL NOT SUPPORT SUMMARY JUDGMENT ON THE ISSUE (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department noted that identifying a party as an additional insured on a certificate of insurance is evidence of a contract naming that party as an additional insured, but only the contract itself constitutes definitive proof of additional-insured status:

“A certificate of insurance is evidence of a contract for insurance, but is not conclusive proof that the contract exists and not, in and of itself, a contract to insure” … . [There was no proof of] a specific agreement … to name [plaintiff] School District as an additional insured. Accordingly, the Supreme Court properly denied that branch of the School District’s motion which was for summary judgment declaring that One Beacon is obligated to defend and indemnify it as an additional insured in the underlying action … . Island Trees Union Free Sch. Dist. v A 1 Constr. Serv., Inc, 2025 NY Slip Op 07289, Second Dept 12-24-25

Practice Point: A certificate of insurance naming a party as an additional insured is evidence there is a contract to that effect, but, without the contract, the certificate will not support summary judgment on the issue.​