A certificate of motor insurance is a legal document which needs to be presented in order to obtain a road licence when you 'tax' the vehicle. Below is an example of a car insurance certificate and the sort of information it contains.

EXAMPLE OF A CERTIFICATE OF MOTOR INSURANCE

Certificate No.
1. Description of vehicles (Registration mark of vehicle). Any Motor Car the property of the policyholder or hired to him under a hire purchase agreement.
2. Name of policy holder.
3. Effective date of the commencement of insurance for the purposes of the relevant law.
4. Date of expiry of insurance.
5. Persons or classes of persons entitled to drive.
(a) The policy holder
The policy holder may also drive a Motor Car (or Motor Cycle) not belonging to him and not hired to him under a hire purchase agreement.
(b) Any other person who is driving on the policy holder’s order or with his permission.
Provided that the person driving holds a licence to drive the vehicle or has held and is not disqualified for holding or obtaining such a licence.
6. Limitations as to use.
(1) Use for social, domestic and pleasure purposes.
(2) Use by the policy holder in person in connection with his business.
The policy does not cover use for hiring, commercial travelling or for any purpose in connection with the motor trade and use for rating, competitions, rallies or trials.

I hereby certify that the policy to which this certificate relates satisfies the requirements of the relevant law applicable in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Island of Guernsey, the Island of Jersey and the Island of Alderney.

…………………………………
(Authorised insurers)

NOTE: For full details of the insurance cover reference should be made to the policy wording.

CAR INSURANCE CERTIFICATES