Named insured vs Additional insured
The named insured is the policyholder, your business, who owns the policy and its rights. An additional insured is another party added to your policy so it also responds on their behalf. Marketplaces and retailers, like Amazon or a wholesale buyer, ask to be named as additional insured before they work with you.
Head to head.
Named insured
Additional insured
Who it is
Your business (the policyholder)
A third party you add (buyer, marketplace)
Owns the policy
Yes
No
Why it matters
You control and rely on the coverage
Your policy can respond for them after a claim
Example
Your LLC on an Amazon COI
Amazon.com Services LLC on your COI
Which do you need?
Straight answer.
You are always the named insured. You add a marketplace or buyer as additional insured when they require it, which Assureful handles on your Certificate of Insurance.
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Questions
Common questions.
What does additional insured mean on a Certificate of Insurance?+
It means another party, such as Amazon or a retailer, is added to your policy so your coverage can respond on their behalf for covered claims tied to your products. It does not give them control of your policy.
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General information, not insurance advice. Sources: Insurance Information Institute. Reviewed 2026-07-01.