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A home insurance declarations page is a document provided by insurers that summarizes the coverage contained in your homeowners insurance policy.
A declarations page, sometimes referred to as a “dec page,” serves as evidence of homeowners insurance and is usually required by mortgage lenders. It provides essential details about coverage and limits, which can help you determine whether to file a claim.
Key Takeaways
- A homeowners insurance declarations page includes information about your home insurance coverage, including coverage details, limits and deductible amount.
- It will also show the start and end date of the coverage and your premium for the policy period.
- You may need to provide your home insurance declarations page to your mortgage company.
What Does a Homeowners Insurance Declarations Page Contain?
A declarations page typically includes basic information about your home insurance policy and coverage, including:
- Policy information: Your policy number and term dates that indicate when coverage is effective and when it expires.
- Property location: The address of the insured property.
- Personal info: Your name and mortgage details.
- Coverage details and limits: Each category of coverage in your policy is defined, such as dwelling and other structures, personal property, additional living expenses and liability. The maximum amount your insurance company will pay for a problem covered for each type of coverage is also indicated.
- Deductible: The amount of money subtracted from a claim payment. A home insurance deductible is often $500 or $1,000 but can be more.
- Premium cost: The amount of money you pay the insurance company for coverage, which can be charged annually or monthly.
- Discounts: Any home insurance discounts you’re eligible for that have been applied to your policy.
When Do I Need My Homeowners Insurance Declarations Page?
A declarations page provides you with an easy-to-follow summary of your policy that can help if you need to file a claim or check the end date of coverage.
Mark Friedlander, spokesperson for the Insurance Information Institute, says that being aware of coverage limits can help you understand how much your insurance company may pay if you file a claim.
You’ll also want to have your declarations page handy if you plan to get quotes from other insurers for a lower-cost or better policy. During this process, you can refer to the declarations page and the clearly indicated premium cost, coverage amounts and limits, deductible and applied discounts. This will help you do an apples-to-apples comparison.
Or, if you have questions about your existing home policy or are unclear about what is covered, a declarations page can make it easier to reference specific policy details when communicating with an insurance agent.
What Does a Homeowners Insurance Declarations Page Not Contain?
Your declarations page is an easily readable summary of your policy, but it doesn’t offer a full list of coverage.
Friedlander points out that your declarations page may not contain or indicate the following:
- Optional add-ons/endorsements: These are additional coverage options that broaden coverage beyond the fundamental policy terms. Such additional coverage might be for jewelry or artwork, additional liability protection and home-based businesses.
- Optional specialized coverage: This might include flood insurance, earthquake coverage and other separate or supplemental coverages available to you, but that you did not purchase.
- Exclusions: Problems that are excluded from coverage. Exclusions will be detailed within the long-form policy documents instead of the declarations page.
- Limitations and conditions: Restrictions and special circumstances that can affect what is covered are usually spelled out in your policy documents, not the declarations page.
It’s important to thoroughly review your full policy paperwork if you want better clarity on exactly what is covered and to what extent versus what is not covered. Ask your insurance agent if you need clarity on what your policy covers.
How Do I Get My Home Insurance Declarations Page?
You should receive policy documents — including the declarations page — in the mail or electronically when you purchase a policy. The declarations page will be included with your insurance policy documents and is typically found on the first page or near the top.
If you cannot locate this page or need another copy, you can request one by contacting your insurance agent or downloading a copy from your insurer’s website or mobile app.
How to Use and Read Your Home Insurance Declarations Page
Read the page carefully and check that all the details and numbers are accurate, including your personal information, address, coverage details, premium, deductible and discounts. Contact your insurer if you notice any errors or matters you want to dispute.
Next, carefully review each of the four main coverage categories that should be listed, along with the coverage limits for each category.
- Dwelling: Dwelling coverage covers the cost to fix or rebuild your home and attached and unattached structures. Coverage A pertains to the dwelling itself, encompassing its structure, roof and incorporated appliances or fixtures, such as the oven and ceiling fan. Coverage B extends to other structures not physically connected to the main dwelling, such as a fence, shed, garage, deck or pool located on your property.
- Personal property: Personal property coverage covers personal items if they are stolen or destroyed by fire, storms or other covered perils. Coverage C applies to personal property, including clothing, jewelry, furnishings and electronics.
- Additional living expenses: Additional living expenses coverage covers supplementary living expenses incurred when you’re unable to reside in your home due to damage caused by an insured disaster. This includes expenses such as hotel accommodations, dining out and other additional costs beyond your typical living expenses that you incur while your home is undergoing repair or rebuilding. Coverage D addresses loss of use scenarios.
- Liability coverage: Liability home insurance pays for injury or property damage inflicted by you or your family members on others. Additionally, it extends coverage to damage and injuries to others caused by your pets. It also pays for expenses related to defending you in court and any resulting court-ordered payments, up to the limit outlined in your policy documents.
Homeowners Insurance Declarations Page for Mortgages
The declarations page is an important document if you have a mortgage loan.
“When you apply for a mortgage loan, your lender will require you to provide proof of property insurance, which the declarations page will satisfy,” Freidlander says.
Be aware that your mortgage lender may also ask you to provide updated declarations pages during the term of your loan to ensure you have maintained your insurance coverage.
“If you don’t provide this proof of insurance upon request, your lender has the right to purchase homeowners insurance in your name — called ‘force-placed insurance’ — and add the premium to your mortgage payments,” says Friedlander. “This type of policy is generally much more expensive than your standard home policy, and often the coverage isn’t as comprehensive as an insurance policy that you can purchase on your own.”
Homeowners Insurance Declarations Page for Claim Filing
Having quick access to a copy of your declarations page is wise, especially if you need to file a claim with your insurer. The page will list insurance company contact information and provide convenient details on what your policy covers.
Home Insurance Declarations Page FAQ
Is a COI the same as a declarations page?
A certificate of insurance (COI) is not the same thing as a declarations page. A COI is a document provided to business policyholders by an insurance carrier or broker. It’s also essential for contractors because it proves that the contractor has purchased a specific level of liability coverage.
“A certificate of insurance is something a homeowner should request if they are having any repairs done at their property,” Friedlander says.