FAQs

Certificate Exchange™
FAQs

Who can produce certificates?	Certificates may be produced by: *Producer* *With added governance, the Insured* (optional) *With further added governance, the Certificate Holder* (optional) *Incoming Verification*
How is this done?	*Outgoing* The Producer must first register with the program. This is performed online requiring only name, address and license information. The Producer can then enter an Insured and an Insured's certificate information. Once the Producer is approved, certificates may be issued. *Incoming* A firm that tracks Incoming certificates registers its requirements and their vendor's Producer verifies the requirements.
How is issuance of an unauthorized certificate prevented?	There are many security options: *Producer Verified* Each Producer is verified for legitimacy. *Password Protected* A password is required to gain access to the system and obtain a certificate. The password is unique to each Insured. *Approval Required* The Producer may select parameters that require a certificate to be approved. After the Certificate Holder's name, address and relationship with the Insured is entered, an email is sent to Approvers (established by the Producer). An Approver views the certificate, makes changes if necessary and approves (or rejects) the certificate. *Limited Selection* Only lines of business and insurance options selected by the Producer are displayed during the issuance process. *Predetermined Wording* Additional wording or any other text may be added to any certificate and may not be changed in the normal issuance mode. It can only be overridden by predetermined authorized users.
Is it fast?	You will notice an absence of graphics and screen clutter. The system design allows fast data entry and will quickly produce a certificate.
Who can enter the policy detail?	Only duly licensed agents and brokers are authorized to set up policyholder information.
Is it encrypted?	The system communications are encrypted using SSL (Secure Socket Layer) 128 bit encryption.
What are the system requirements?	The system is designed to work with any browser and will even work if your network administrator has shut off JavaScript. We wanted to make certain that everyone can use the system.
Who can receive copies?	The Producer may elect to have copies of the certificates sent to the Insured, Insurers and to anyone on the Producer's staff.
Who can access the data?	Producers have access to the data and if they desire, they can allow access by the Insured. Producers may download the data to other automation systems. No one else has access to the data.
In what format are the certificates?	All certificates issued are in Adobe Acrobat's .pdf format and Adobe Acrobat Reader can be used to view or print. Adobe Acrobat Reader is free and may be downloaded from the system.
What about Additional Insureds?	The system can issue a certificate with Additional Insured wording but only if the Producer allows it. The approval feature can be set for every certificate issued, as explained in the Security section above, or just for those certificates requesting Additional Insured wording.
Mortgagees and Loss Payees?	The system can provide these functions, but again only if desired. This function is also optionally subject to the Password protection and Approval processes explained above.
What types of insurance?	All lines of insurance are supported. The standard ACORD "Other" category is interactive and any form of insurance can be permanently added to the system. This includes property, crime, cargo, professional liability and literally any other type of insurance.
Why Outgoing and Incoming?	The Incoming verification process not only verifies insurance for the project, it also adds all verified information to the database which, can then be reused to verify another Incoming certificate or to issue an Outgoing certificate. Producers will never have to reenter their clients' policy details.
May I customize?	The Producer may elect to have the certificate display its own logo and signature. Branded sites are available. Custom designed certificates are available.
May I create queries?	The system allows online queries of all information at the Producer and Insured level and can be downloaded to traditional software such as Microsoft Excel.
Are electronic connections and downloads possible?	Certificate Exchange can arrange a connection or download of data from your agency or brokerage system. This is optional because any agent or broker can use Certificate Exchange for all of their certificate needs simply by entering the information online.
What happens at renewal?	There is a renewal function incorporated in the system. Once the new policy information is entered and the list of Certificate Holders is updated, renewal certificates will be issued automatically.
What happens during a cancellation?	Lists of Certificate Holders can be obtained and downloaded directly from the site in order to issue cancellation notices.
Who owns the data?	Producers own their respective data. Data will not be sold or distributed in any way whatsoever.
What does it cost?	Incoming certificates may be registered and verified without cost. Usually the Producer bears the cost of Outgoing certificates and charges vary by volume, branding requirements and customization requirements.
What is next?	The system is functional. Custom designed features can be added. Call us, 973-539-5671 or email, .