What is an Insurance Declarations Page and Why is It Important?

An insurance declarations page, or dec page for short, is a summary of what is contained in an insurance policy. It’s a crucial part of any insurance policy. The declaration page includes what is and is not covered, the name of the insurance company, and more. Clients always spend a little more time reviewing this section, ensuring there are no errors that might make it difficult to file a claim. 

What is the declarations page of an insurance policy?

The declarations page usually appears in the first few pages of an insurance policy and includes the following information:

• The name and address of the insured
• Policy number
• Coverage period
• Identification and location of the property being insured
• Insurer's name and contact information
• Types of coverage provided and their limits
• Policy deductibles
• Premiums charged (including discounts, if any)
• Endorsements or riders to the policy
• Claims reporting (optional), and broker/agent contacts

The declarations page is an essential part of any policy document because it helps clients understand what they're getting in exchange for the premiums. Plus, it makes it easy to compare the benefits offered by different policies when shopping around for insurance.

Sometimes lenders require supplemental proof of insurance coverage because it sums up everything they need to know. You might also need the declaration to show proof of coverage when switching to a new insurer.

What should be on the declaration page?

Many people often wonder, what is an insurance declaration page? The main contents of a declarations page are usually standardized across the board. But some differences exist depending on the type of insurance:

Auto Insurance Declarations Page

The car insurance declarations page on a policy reads like a summary of the entire document. It usually contains personal contact information, details about the vehicles covered, drivers listed, and a summary of your coverage. Here's what you should have in your declaration:

• Policy term: The car insurance term describes the length/duration of the policy, expressly stating the effective date and ending date.
• Listed drivers: Always include anyone who drives your vehicle, including the occasional driver, on your auto insurance policy.
• Vehicle details: The declarations page will include the make, model, and year your car was manufactured. It will also show the vehicle identification numbers (VIN) for each vehicle included in the policy.
• Premiums and deductibles: The car insurance premium section stipulates the amount and frequency (monthly, annually, bi-annually) of payments to the insurance company. A deductible is an amount you pay out of pocket before your insurer covers the rest of the claim.
• Coverage: The declaration will specify the type of insurance coverage and the policy limit. For instance, liability coverage pays for bodily injury or property damage to a third party, while comprehensive insurance pays for your car repairs or replacements.
• Riders, endorsements, and discounts: Riders and endorsements are additional policy terms on your auto insurance. The three items are not always included on the declarations page, even though they could be in your policy document. 

You should get a new auto insurance declarations page every time you renew your car insurance policy, and any changes should be updated to reflect your new agreement.

Homeowners Insurance Declarations Page

The homeowners' insurance dec page contains all the basic information on your insurance policy. It includes:

• The physical address of the insured property
• The effective policy dates
• The named insured ( i.e., you as the homeowner and anyone else in your household insured under the contract)
• The names of other parties who are affected by the contract, such as your mortgage lender
• The total premium for the contract duration and the payment frequency
• The type of coverage extended to the property
• Optional coverage and endorsements or even discounts that you might be receiving from the insurance company

Renters Insurance Declarations Page

A renters insurance declarations page is similar to the homeowners dec version, but it will include specifics about your rented property and what is covered under the policy. It includes:

• _The name of the tenant(s)
• The specific address of where the tenant lives
• The duration of the policy
• The amount of coverage for personal property and liability
• Any endorsements or riders to the policy.

Property and Casualty Insurance Declarations Page

Property and casualty insurance usually bundles your car insurance with your homeowners' or renters' policy. It protects your belongings from theft or destruction and offers liability protection if you're found legally responsible for injuries to another person or damage to their property. 

The dec page will summarize the coverage provided by the policy, listing all the properties, type of liability protection, and the total cost of premiums.