Certificate DIY?

[insurebaltimore]

I know there are systems like CSR24 and InScope that allows a client to self-publish pre-approved certs, but I'm curious if anyone has completely handed off the process to the client.

For example:  Create a certificate in TAM w/ all the correct wording, description of operations, etc. and create a fillable PDF that allows the client to add any holder he/she wants.  They would only need to come back to the agent for special wording.

I know the immediate downside:  You don't know how many certs have been issued, but if the wording is safe, I don't know that this is a big drawback.

Is anyone else doing something like this?  Some input would be greatly appreciated.

[Gene Foraker]

You mean something like handing them a blank Accord form and letting them put on it whatever they want?

I think for the form to be legal it has to be done in some way by the agency or their legal proxy.   There certainly is a place for agent's signature and I don't think you can legally delegate that.

[brinkerdana]

Just think of all the stuff they'd be entering at the instruction of the folks requesting the certs that you wouldn't know about.  Waivers, Additional Insured with wording that went out of the policies years ago, etc. 

Best to use CertificatesNow.com or InScope and have some control over what's going ON the certificates.

[insurebaltimore]

No, not a blank form.

The entire form would be filled out and locked down.  The ONLY information they'd be able to enter/alter is the holder.  So any special working requests would still need to come back to the agent.

Interesting point about the signature, though.  I think it would still be legal since the signature is affirming the coverages, description of operations, etc...  all the stuff the carrier cares about.

[Jim Jensen]

How would control them issuing certificates if it cancels before expiration, like nonpayment? Sounds dangerous. I know there's a time and cost to handling the Certificates, but since the form is increasingly being scrutinized and many states now have fines for improper use, I'd not be considering such a plan myself.

[insurebaltimore]

That's an excellent point.  If the certificate says that *I* will endeavor to notify upon cancellation and *I* am the one who signed it, then I better have a mechanism in place to endeavor to notify, shouldn't I?

On the other hand, the certificate says that I'm not obligated to do so, nor am I liable for failing to do so.

It's not us trying to pass the buck to our insured.  Quite the opposite.  The insured is requesting that we give them this ability.  They have something in the neighborhood of 1100+ certs, and that number continues to rise.  Even though we issue certs same day, they want it immediately (as in, real time.)

[Jim Jensen]

I still think you're safer using a service like CertificatesNow, InScope or CSRonline where they can issue them, but you control the coverage info. If they did cancel early, I'm less worried about the notice than the fact that they could still be issuing them after coverage canceled or changed.

Don't forget that a good Acrobat user knows how to get around the safeguards - print to a a new PDF, then add a text box in remarks section with whatever language you need. You can't removed the ability to print it, since that's what they need to do with it and they could simply print to the Acrobat print driver instead of a physical printer.

The cost is high if you only need it for 1 client, but it could be what opens the door for use with other clients and justifies the cost more.

[insurebaltimore]

A lot of our certs are delivered via PDF as it is.  If someone was going to alter them and use them beyond the coverage dates, they could easily do so already.  That's not really a concern for us.  I'm sure any client w/ the ability to "self serve" would've signed some kinda paperwork swearing not forge certs, as an extra precaution anyway.

I like CertificateNow's tracking ability.  I just wish accounts were more proactive in telling us who and who doesn't need a cert.  It's like pulling teeth trying to get a client to update their Holder List at renewal.