A more thorough explanation:

A certificate of insurance is a document that confirms the existence of an insurance policy and outlines the coverage provided by the policy. It is usually issued by an insurance company or agent to a third party, such as a landlord or contractor, as proof of insurance coverage.

John is a contractor who has been hired to do some work on a building. The building owner asks John to provide a certificate of insurance to prove that he has liability insurance in case of any accidents or damages that may occur during the project. John's insurance company issues a certificate of insurance that lists the policy number, coverage limits, and effective dates of the policy.

Another example is when a tenant is renting an apartment. The landlord may require the tenant to provide a certificate of insurance that shows they have renters insurance to cover any damages or losses to the apartment or personal property.

These examples illustrate how a certificate of insurance serves as proof of insurance coverage and outlines the specific details of the policy, such as coverage limits and effective dates.