What Is an Insurance Declaration Page?

If you own a home, a car or even a collection of designer shoes, you probably understand the importance of having insurance to protect your investment. And if everything goes smoothly, you never have to use your coverage.

However, insurance claims are more common than you might think. If you did experience a loss, would you know exactly what to do and what your policy will cover? This is where your insurance declarations page comes in handy.

An insurance declarations page is a document that summarizes the details of your insurance policy. It includes a breakdown of the most important things you need to know, like your coverage limits and policy number.

“The best way to think of an insurance declarations page is as the CliffsNotes for your insurance policy,” says Matt Miller, founder and chief executive officer of Embroker, a San Francisco-based digital commercial insurance company.

You should also know that the declarations page is sometimes referred to as the “dec,” and despite the name, it can be multiple pages in length.

When you purchase any insurance policy, like auto, home or renters insurance, your insurance provider will give you a packet of policy statements and documents when your coverage takes effect.

The declarations page is usually included at the front of those policy documents. Depending on your insurance company, you might receive your declarations page as a physical hard copy or as an electronic version.

The main purpose of a declarations page is to provide a simplified breakdown of your policy. If you need to file a claim or have questions about what your policy covers, you can probably find the answer by looking at the declarations page.

An insurance declarations page covers important details of your policy. Here are some of the things that can be found on your dec page:

• Insurance company

• Agent name and contact information

• Named insured (your name)

• Policy number

• Policy term (effective and expiration dates)

• Coverage descriptions and limits

• Policy premium

In addition, your declarations page probably includes some general instructions, like what to do after a loss.

Tip: Most insurance declarations pages do not list policy exclusions, like whether your home insurance policy covers mold. If you have specific questions about what is and is not covered, it’s a good idea to speak with an agent who can provide more details.

• Is an insurance declarations page proof of insurance?

In many cases, your insurance declarations page can serve as proof of insurance. For example, if you own a home and your mortgage provider requests to see proof of homeowners insurance, they will usually accept a declarations page as evidence of insurance.

• How do I get my insurance declarations page?

You will receive a copy of the declarations page when you purchase an insurance policy. However, you can always request a new dec page by calling your insurance company. If you have an online customer account, you might also be able to download a digital copy.

• What does the insurance declarations page look like?

An insurance declarations page can be one page or multiple pages. Every dec page is slightly different, but you should see your insurance company’s name at the top, followed by your name, policy number and your agent’s contact information. The rest of the policy details are usually listed underneath this section.

• Do I need to keep my insurance declarations page?

Yes, you should keep your insurance declarations page on hand in case you have questions about your policy or need to file a claim. However, if you misplace your dec page, you can get a new one from your insurance company, free of charge.