Author: Bill Wilson

It's been over 7 years since the ACORD 25 was revised, but a new version came out this month. Changes include several revisions in the Coverages section and a Disclaimer modification...not earth shattering revisions, but worth noting just to know that nothing substantive has changed.

Recently the ACORD 25 was revised for the first time since 2001. The changes are almost all editorial, formatting, or spelling revisions, but it's prudent to identify exactly what these changes entail and one of them does clarify the intent to indicate whether certain positions are excluded for workers compensation coverage. You can review the form as you follow along with the changes below:

• January 2009 ACORD 25 

Across the two pages, there are eight changes:

1. The border around the form title was removed and the ACORD logo added.

2. In the Coverages section, Policy Effective Date and Policy Expiration Date columns, the date format was revised to include the year in a "YYYY" format.

3. In the General Liability row and Limits column of the Coverages section, the spelling of "occurrence" was corrected.

4. In the Excess / Umbrella row of the Coverages section, space was added around the slash (whoopee!).

5. In the Workers Compensation row of the Coverages section, a field was added to capture a "Y" for a "Yes" response or an "N" for a "No" response and the statement "(Mandatory in NH)" was added in bold font.

6. The copyright notice in the lower right corner of the form was reformated and the statement "All rights reserved." was added.

7. The statement, "The ACORD name and logo are registered marks of ACORD" was added at the bottom of the form.

8. The DISCLAIMER on Page 2 of the form was changed from...
   
   The Certificate of Insurance on the reverse side of this form does not constitute a contract between the issuing insurer(s), authorized representative or producer, and the certificate holder, nor does it affirmatively or negatively amend, extend or alter the coverage afforded by the policies listed thereon.
   
   to...
   
   This Certificate of Insurance does not constitute a contract between the issuing insurer(s), authorized representative or producer, and the certificate holder, nor does it affirmatively or negatively amend, extend or alter the coverage afforded by the policies listed thereon.

With regard to changes 6 and 7, keep in mind that ACORD forms are copyrighted and technically the pre-printed language cannot be altered without permission of the copyright holder unless provided for in their licensing agreement...this right is reserved by ACORD. Also, anyone offering a proprietary certificate form cannot include the ACORD name or logo or otherwise misappropriate the form in any way that involves infringement on ACORD's copyrights and trademarks.