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What a named insured is

The named insured is the person or organization the policy names as a party to the contract. Insurance Code section 381(a) requires every policy to specify the parties between whom the contract is made. On a commercial policy that name is printed in the declarations and in the named-insured block of ACORD 25, the certificate of liability insurance. The certificate reports policies already issued to that named insured. It does not change who the party is.

The first named insured is the one a typical liability policy notifies, unless an endorsement adds someone else. Our ACORD 25 note makes that distinction. An additional insured is a different status: someone the endorsement adds, not the party section 381(a) starts with.

The name has to match the legal name on the license, the lease, or the deed. CSLB returns a workers' compensation certificate when the business name does not match the license record, as its workers' compensation requirements page describes. An LLC on the deed should be the named insured on the dwelling policy. Bring the license, the operating agreement, or the deed before the policy is issued. The product pages are general liability and commercial property.

Updated October 13, 2026. Insurance City Agency, LLC · CA License #6003045. Reviewed by Santo Militello, California-licensed Property & Casualty agent (CA License #1737723). Our licensed team brings more than 70 years of combined insurance experience. Phone: (209) 670-1556. Office: 956 W Robinhood Dr, Stockton, CA 95207.

Questions

What is a named insured?

The person or organization the policy names as a party to the contract. Insurance Code section 381(a) requires the policy to specify those parties. The name appears in the declarations and on the ACORD 25 named-insured block.

Is a named insured the same as an additional insured?

No. The named insured is a party to the contract. An additional insured is added by endorsement and is not that starting party. The certificate can report either status only when the policy already provides it.

Whose name should be on the policy?

The legal name on the license, the lease, or the deed. CSLB's workers' compensation page says a certificate is sent back when the business name does not match the license record.

Sources

California Insurance Code section 381 (checked October 13, 2026). A policy shall specify the parties between whom the contract is made.
CSLB, Workers' Compensation Requirements (checked October 13, 2026). A manual certificate is returned when the business name does not match the license record.
Insurance City, ACORD 25 field note. The certificate reports policies issued to the named insured. A typical liability policy notifies the first named insured unless an endorsement adds someone else.