The ACORD 80 Commercial Lines Policy Change Request is the standard form used to request mid-term changes to commercial insurance policies. Adding a vehicle, changing an address, adding an additional insured, updating coverage limits — all of these changes are communicated to the carrier using the ACORD 80. Handling mid-term changes quickly and accurately is an important part of commercial account service.
The ACORD 80 is used any time a mid-term change needs to be made to a commercial policy: • Adding or removing vehicles from a commercial auto policy • Adding a new location or updating an existing one • Adding or removing additional insured parties • Changing the named insured (after a business name change or entity restructuring) • Updating coverage limits • Adding or removing endorsements • Changing the policy mailing address
The ACORD 80 is a relatively simple form with:
• Named insured name and address • Policy number and current effective and expiration dates • Producer name and code • Requested effective date for the change • Description of the change being requested • Space for the carrier to confirm or modify the change
The description of change section is the most important — it must be specific and unambiguous. A vague change request can result in the carrier implementing the wrong change or requesting clarification, which delays the endorsement.
The change description should be specific enough that the carrier can implement it without needing to call for clarification. Examples:
Good: "Add 2023 Ford F-150 VIN 1FTFW1E56NKF12345, garage address 123 Main St, Anytown IL, effective March 1"
Bad: "Add vehicle"
Good: "Add ABC Property Management LLC as additional insured per written contract, effective February 15. Attach blanket AI endorsement if available."
Bad: "Add additional insured"
Many mid-term changes result in premium adjustments — either additional premium owed or return premium credited. Agents should advise clients when a change is likely to affect their premium, especially for significant changes like adding a high-value vehicle or a new location with substantial property exposure.
For changes that generate additional premium, agents should confirm how the premium will be collected — invoiced directly, added to an installment plan, or charged immediately.
Not specifying the exact effective date for the change — the default is not always what the client wants
Vague change descriptions that require carrier follow-up and delay the endorsement
Not following up to confirm the endorsement was actually issued and is correct
Requesting a retroactive effective date without confirming the carrier will accept it
Not advising the client of the premium impact before submitting the change request
Send your client a plain-English intake link. When they finish, the completed ACORD 80 and all required companion forms are generated and ready to submit.