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Forms FAQ

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ACORD is committed to helping you.

This FAQ provides general answers to the questions we receive most often about our Forms. If you need additional information, please contact Member Services.

General Forms

How can I get access to ACORD Forms?

ACORD Forms may only be used with a valid license. ACORD provides licenses through various programs, according to your needs.

Participants in eligible ACORD programs may download ACORD Forms in a variety of formats from the ACORD Forms Portal.

Some agency management systems and other vendor-provided software may include ACORD Forms; users of these systems are required to obtain a license directly from ACORD.

I am having difficulty accessing the ACORD Forms Portal. What do I do?

If you are currently a member of Advantage Plus or another ACORD program which includes access to the ACORD Forms Portal, and you are unable to sign in, please contact Member Services.

If your agency is not currently a subscriber to an ACORD Forms program such as Advantage Plus, you may obtain access to the Forms Portal by joining such a program and paying the applicable subscription fee.

I clicked on a form but nothing happened. What do I do?

For your convenience, we provide several different formats of ACORD Forms. Each format requires that you have the associated program installed on your machine.

If you are certain that you have the right software and are signed in, it may be that your subscription to ACORD Advantage Plus has expired. Please contact Member Services.

How do I combine fillable forms?

We have prepared this document to show you how to combine a set of fillable forms.

Why should I join a program to get forms directly from ACORD, such as Advantage Plus?

ACORD is the originator of all ACORD Forms, including updated versions. Other sources of ACORD Forms may not include every form you require, or they may be out of date. You may secure the most current form through ACORD. Also, please note that, in order to use ACORD Forms obtained through a vendor, you must still obtain a license directly from ACORD.

Do I need to join the ACORD Advantage Plus Program to receive Forms Notifications from ACORD?

No, the Forms Notification emails are complimentary. If you would like to receive emails from ACORD, please contact Member Services. To view past Forms Notifications, click here.

I want to place an order for paper forms. How do I do that?

Paid subscribers to the ACORD Advantage Plus Program can place orders for P&C paper forms via Member Services. Please call (845) 620-1700, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm EST. Please note that additional printing, shipping, and handling fees apply per order.

Compliance

Does ACORD file forms on behalf of its members?

For the P&C community, ACORD files forms on behalf of its members in states where it is required to file.​

Why are ACORD Forms revised?

ACORD Forms are revised regularly for several different reasons. In some instances, new forms are proposed by our members, or implementation communities may design them collaboratively to suit new business needs.

Existing forms may be revised to reflect changes in business practices. For example, changes in coverage practices or underwriting may occur that need to be reflected in new elements or revised forms instruction language.

ACORD tracks changes in legislative and regulatory requirements country-wide. Some changes to forms result from new insurance department requirements, typically for auto ID cards, binders, certificates of insurance, and applications. ACORD is required to file certain forms with state insurance departments for approval, even when changes to the forms arise from changes in business practices and not regulatory requirements.

How can we find out when we are required to file ACORD Forms under our own company filing?

ACORD files forms on behalf of its members in states where it is required to file. Typically, only a handful of ACORD Forms are filed, such as auto ID cards, application, certificates and only in certain states. In some states, companies submitting rate, rule and/or policy filings can be asked to include copies of ACORD Forms as part of their supporting (filing) documents. State filings usually dictate the supporting document requirements. You may want to consult with your carrier underwriting and/or legal departments for more company specific guidelines.​

How do we unlock the fields on an ACORD Form PDF to fill in our data?

Download the eForms versions of ACORD Forms because they are not locked. However, you must subscribe to an ACORD Redistribution Program to download ACORD eForms. For more information, please contact Member Services.

Who can sign a Certificate of Insurance?

The ACORD Forms Instruction Guide (FIG) recommends that ACORD Forms be signed by an Authorized Representative. An Authorized Representative is usually determined by the Carrier Legal and Underwriting Department. We encourage you to consult with your Carrier Legal and Underwriting Department for additional guidance.​

Can ACORD Forms Users eliminate certain sections of an ACORD Form, specifically an application?

ACORD Forms are filed with state departments of insurance wherever required and all published forms are compliant with all state regulations. The forms are approved by Departments of Insurance on an "as depicted" basis; this means that modifying them in any way would result in the form being non-compliant.

Can I use an older version of an ACORD Form?

It is vital you use only the most current ACORD Forms. Once a form is outdated, ACORD no longer checks on whether it remains compliant with the law, including state insurance department rules. Anyone using an outdated form does so at great risk. In particular, agents and insurers using a non-compliant form are subject to severe penalties.

Fillable Forms

What are ACORD Fillable Forms?

ACORD's Fillable Forms have the same look and feel as the paper and PDF versions you may be used to, but have the following new time-saving features and capabilities:

  • Fill, Save and Send - You can fill out each form on the screen and with the click of a button, email, print, save or fax it.
  • On-Screen Help - Every field features on-screen help and prompts to make filling out the forms easier.
  • Forms Instruction Guide - An "instructions" link brings up the full instruction guide for that form, right on the screen.

What do I have to do to obtain access to the ACORD Fillable Forms?

You must participate in an ACORD program that provides access to ACORD Fillable Forms, such as the Advantage Plus Program.​

How do I download the Free IBM Forms Viewer?

Go to the Download Viewer​ page and fill out the brief form. Follow the instructions that follow.​

Where are the instructions on the ACORD Fillable Forms?

ACORD Fillable Forms have instructions that are automatically provided when you scroll your cursor over each field.