New Jersey Property and Casualty Insurance Practice Test 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The contract itself consists of the parts that spell out who is insured, what is covered, and how changes to coverage are handled. Declarations identify the insured, the property or risk, policy limits, premium, and other basic facts. The insuring agreement contains the insurer’s promise to pay for covered losses in exchange for the premium. Endorsements (and riders) are attached to the policy to add, remove, or modify coverage.

A certificate of authority, however, is a regulatory license issued by the state that allows the insurance company to operate. It is not a term or provision of the contract between the insured and the insurer. It does not describe coverages, exclusions, or conditions. So the item that is not part of the entire contract is the certificate of authority.