> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://watchmycover.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Recording a certificate
> Type what the certificate says into the form, field by field, with where each one sits on an ACORD 25.
WatchMyCover does not read documents. When a certificate arrives, whether by email, through a subcontractor's upload link, or on paper, someone on your team reads it and records what it says. The rules then run on exactly what was recorded.
## Open the form
* On the vendor's page, choose **Record certificate**.
* If the subcontractor sent the file through their upload link, it is listed under **Documents on file** marked **Not read yet**. Choose **Record it** beside the file: the form opens, and once you save, the document is marked read.
The dialog is **Record a certificate**. It is laid out from the vendor's requirement template: every coverage the template makes mandatory is listed first and opened, then every other coverage type, closed, in case the certificate carries it.
Every value starts empty. The template's minimum and what is on file now are shown beside each field as hints, never copied in, so the verdict always rests on a document someone read.
## Reading an ACORD 25
The ACORD 25 (Certificate of Liability Insurance) is the one-page form most brokers issue.
### Certificate details
| Form field | Where it is on the ACORD 25 |
| ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Insurer** (required) | The **INSURER(S) AFFORDING COVERAGE** box, top right. Enter the name beside **INSURER A**. |
| **Producer / broker** | The **PRODUCER** box, top left: the agency that issued the certificate. |
| **Certificate number** | **CERTIFICATE NUMBER**, if printed. Many brokers leave it blank. |
| **Issued on** (required) | The **DATE (MM/DD/YYYY)** box, top right corner: the day the certificate was issued. |
The issue date matters: a certificate issued more than 365 days ago cannot confirm cover today, and is flagged. See [Every finding explained](/docs/certificates/findings#certificate-too-old-or-dated-in-the-future).
### Coverages
Each coverage on the certificate is one row in the table in the middle of the form. The letter in the **INSR LTR** column says which insurer writes it.
| Form field | ACORD 25 column or box |
| ------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Tick the coverage | The row for that coverage: **Commercial General Liability**, **Automobile Liability**, **Umbrella Liab / Excess Liab**, **Workers Compensation and Employers' Liability**, or the blank row at the bottom for anything else. |
| **Policy number** | **POLICY NUMBER** |
| **Each occurrence (\$)** | In **LIMITS**: GL **EACH OCCURRENCE**; auto **COMBINED SINGLE LIMIT (Ea accident)**; umbrella **EACH OCCURRENCE**; workers' comp **E.L. EACH ACCIDENT**. |
| **Aggregate (\$)** | In **LIMITS**: GL **GENERAL AGGREGATE**; umbrella **AGGREGATE**. Leave blank for auto and workers' comp. |
| **Effective on** (required) | **POLICY EFF (MM/DD/YYYY)** |
| **Expires on** (required) | **POLICY EXP (MM/DD/YYYY)**. Must be after the effective date. |
| **Additional insured** | **ADDL INSD** column, and the **DESCRIPTION OF OPERATIONS / LOCATIONS / VEHICLES** box. |
| **Waiver of subrogation** | **SUBR WVD** column, and the description box. |
| **Primary & non-contributory** | Usually only in the description box. |
Enter limits as whole dollars: `1,000,000` or `$1,000,000`. Leave a limit blank if the certificate does not state one; if your template sets a minimum for it, the finding will say **not provided**.
### Endorsement evidence
For each endorsement, choose one of three levels. Each starts at **Not on certificate**.
* **Not on certificate**: the certificate does not show it.
* **Stated on certificate**: Y in ADDL INSD or SUBR WVD, or the description box says so.
* **Endorsement form on file**: you hold the endorsement form itself (for example CG 20 10 or CG 20 37 for additional insured). Upload it under **Documents on file**.
Why the distinction exists: [Endorsements and evidence levels](/docs/requirements/endorsements).
If the certificate lists several insurers (A, B, C), WatchMyCover holds one insurer name per certificate. Enter INSURER A, and put the policy numbers against each coverage so the record still identifies each policy.
## Save
Choose **Record and re-check**. You must include at least one coverage, and every included coverage needs its effective and expiry dates. The vendor is checked straight away, and the page shows the new verdict and findings.
On the vendor's page:
* **Requirements versus certificate** compares each required coverage with what is on file: the limit required, the limit on the certificate, and the evidence for each endorsement (AI, WOS, P\&NC).
* **Cover in force** shows the policy each coverage is judged on, across every certificate in force.
* **Certificate on file** (or **Certificates in force**) lists the insurer, producer, certificate number and issue date of each.
## Several certificates, and renewals
Recording a certificate does not have to replace the one before it. General liability and workers' compensation often arrive on separate certificates, and a renewal can be recorded before the old policy ends. WatchMyCover keeps each in force and judges each coverage on the right policy. See [Renewals and several certificates](/docs/certificates/renewals).
## Storing the document
Recording the data does not store the PDF. To keep the certificate itself with the record, use **Add a file** under **Documents on file** (PDF, PNG or JPEG, up to 10 MB). Files sent through an upload link are stored there automatically.