A car or homeowners insurance declarations page is the first page of your insurance policy and contains basic information about your coverage. When you purchase a policy or make changes to an existing one, your insurance carrier will send a new declarations page along with the rest of your policy documents.
For an auto insurance policy, your dec page should cover all of the following:
It’s meant to function as a cover sheet—a quick reference point for key information you might need, such as your deductible amount, your coverage limits, or your agent’s name and phone number.
How to read your car insurance declarations page
At the top of your declarations page, you’ll likely see your policy number and effective dates of your policy—that is, the start and expiration date of your policy period.
As you scroll down, you’ll see the rest of the details listed above. You can expect to find the following:
Your insurance company’s name: You’ll also see contact details for your insurance agent or for the company’s customer service line.
Lienholder information: If your car is financed or leased, the information of the lender will be included on your dec page as a loss payee.
Endorsements and exclusions: In addition to your policy’s limits and types of coverage, the policy declarations page will list any excluded perils or coverage add-ons that apply.
Discounts: If you have a discount on your policy—such as for bundling your auto coverage with a home insurance or renters insurance policy—it will show up on your dec page.
How to get a copy of your insurance declarations page
Your car insurance declarations page should be available along with the rest of your policy once you purchase car insurance or adjust your coverage. It’s typically attached to the front of the policy.
If you don’t have a copy of your auto insurance declaration page, you can request one by calling your insurance company. You can also access it through your insurer’s website or app.
Is a declarations page proof of insurance?
Don’t rely on your declarations page as proof of insurance, especially if you’re pulled over by law enforcement. Your car insurance card, which comes along with your declarations page when you purchase a new policy, is the best form of proof of insurance—always keep a copy in your car’s glove compartment!
A car insurance declarations page can be an acceptable
when you’re purchasing a vehicle. Most often, your insurance company will send the declaration page to the dealership or lender to confirm that you have coverage, though you may sometimes have to do this yourself.
Other acceptable types of proof of car insurance include:
A physical or digital insurance ID card
A proof-of-coverage letter from your insurance company
or FR-44 filing, which proves that a high-risk driver has the required amount of car insurance coverage in their state
FAQs
What is the declaration page on an insurance policy?
The declarations page on your car, renters, or homeowners insurance policy is a summary of your policy information, from your insurance provider’s name and contact information to your coverage amounts, deductibles, and premiums.
How can I obtain a copy of my auto insurance declaration page?
To obtain a copy of your car insurance declarations page, request one from your insurance company through a customer service line. In some cases, you can access a copy of your policy online or via a mobile app.
What are the parts of a declaration page?
The five basic parts of a car insurance declarations page are 1) policy information, 2) names of the named insured and additional insureds, 3) vehicle information, 4) coverage types, limits, endorsements, and exclusions, and 5) premiums, discounts, and deductibles.
Is an insurance declaration page the same as a binder?
No, an insurance declarations page isn’t the same thing as a binder. While both documents contain basic policy information, a binder is a temporary insurance policy that drops out of effect within 30 to 90 days, while a declarations page remains valid throughout your policy term.
What is a car insurance premium?
A car insurance premium is the monthly, semi-annual, or annual payment you make to a car insurance company in exchange for coverage. Your premium is part of the car insurance contract you sign to activate your coverage, and it’s listed on your dec page.
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R.E. Fulton is an expert insurance writer specializing in car ownership topics from car shopping and loan advice to insurance and repair guides. R.E.’s mission is to create unique and accessible content that helps readers to become more successful and independent car owners. R.E. has written and edited over 900 high-performing articles for Jerry, with an average of 1 million+ views.
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