What is a homeowners insurance declarations page?

A homeowners insurance declaration page, sometimes referred to as a “dec page,” serves as a summary of your policy. It lists information like your key coverages, policy limits, annual premium, and policy start and end dates. Your declaration page is useful for providing proof of coverage to mortgage lenders or quickly checking coverage details. 

What is an insurance declarations page?

A declaration page is a concise, one- or two-page summary of your entire home insurance policy. Think of it as your coverage at a glance. This document is your go-to resource for verifying your policy’s effective dates (when the policy is active) and ensuring your property details — like your address and home’s age — are accurate.

The dec page breaks down your home insurance into two main categories: coverage types (what is protected) and policy limits (the maximum your insurer will pay). It also highlights your financial responsibility by listing the total cost of the policy, called your premium, and your deductible, which is the amount of damage you agree to pay for out of pocket in the event of an approved claim.

What’s listed on a declaration page?

What’s listed on a declarations page can vary by insurance company, but there are several standard details you will almost always find:

• Policy number: This is the code used to identify your specific account. You’ll need this number whenever you contact your insurance company or file a claim. 
• Named insured: This lists the names of the people who are covered by the policy, typically the residents of the home.
• Insured property: This provides the address of the home or building that is being insured.
• Policy period: These are the effective dates that show when your coverage starts and when it expires.
• Coverage types and limits: This section lists the different types of insurance coverage included in the policy, such as dwelling coverage for the structure of the house and personal property coverage for your personal belongings. Next to each type, it lists a dollar amount (called the policy limit), which is the maximum the insurer will pay for a covered loss.
• Deductibles: This is the amount of covered damage or loss you are responsible for paying out of pocket.
• Premium: This is the total cost of your insurance policy. For homeowners, the premium typically covers a 12-month policy term. While you might pay this in monthly installments, the figure on your declaration page represents the full price for a year of coverage.
• Lender information: If you have a mortgage, your bank’s name and address will be listed.

What is not included an insurance declarations page?

The declarations page doesn’t contain everything you need to know. You likely won’t find information about: 

• Comprehensive details about what's covered and what's not (referred to as perils in the industry)
• Exclusions, or events and circumstances not covered by the policy
• Your responsibilities and obligations when filing a claim
• In-depth policy information, including legal terms and definitions

Home insurance coverage types on a declarations page

The most common types of homeowners insurance coverage outlined on a declaration page include the following. The limit (dollar amount) associated with each type of coverage listed on the dec page represents the maximum an insurer will pay toward loss or damage in the event of an approved claim.

• Dwelling coverage (Coverage A): This covers the physical structure of your home.

• Other structures coverage (Coverage B): This covers buildings and structures on your property that aren’t attached to your house, like a fence, shed, or detached garage.

• Personal property coverage (Coverage C): This covers your belongings, such as furniture, clothes, and electronics.

• Loss of use coverage (Coverage D): If your home is temporarily unlivable after a covered event like a fire, this helps pay for living expenses like hotel stays and meals out.

• Personal liability coverage (Coverage E): If someone is injured or their property is damaged and you’re responsible, this helps pay for resulting expenses, including legal expenses if you are sued and lost wages if the injured party cannot work.

Why your declarations page matters

Insurance policies are long documents that contain complex legal language. Your insurance declarations page summarizes the most important information for easy access. Declaration pages can come in handy in the following scenarios: 

• You need to submit a claim. The declarations page contains a lot of the information you need to submit a claim, including your insurer’s contact information and your policy number, coverage limits, and deductibles. 

• You’re shopping around for a new policy. If you’re looking for a new insurance company, your declarations page can help you get and compare home insurance quotes for the same type and amount of coverage.

• You’re switching insurance companies. When you switch insurers, the new insurance company may want to see that you already have coverage. You can provide proof of coverage using your existing declarations page. 

• Your mortgage lender needs proof of insurance. If you finance the purchase of a new home, your mortgage lender will likely require a declarations page to provide proof of home insurance. You also may need to provide a copy of your declarations page if your lender requires annual proof of coverage or if you change insurers while you have a mortgage.  

How to get a copy of your declaration page

Home insurance companies generally send you a copy of your declarations page when you purchase a new policy, make policy changes, or when your policy renews. Outside of that, you can usually access your declaration page in the following ways: 

• Online platforms and apps. Many insurance companies give policyholders access to documents through an online portal or mobile app. Simply log in and download the documents you need.
  

• Check your email. If you didn’t receive a paper copy of your policy, your insurance company may have emailed you the document. Look for email communications from your insurer around the time you bought the policy.
  

• Call your agent. If you can’t find your declarations page, you can contact your insurer to request that they mail or email you a copy.
  

Once you get a copy of your insurance declarations page, it’s helpful to keep it in a safe place so you can reference it when necessary.

What should I pay attention to on my insurance declarations page?

There are many essential pieces of information on your insurance declarations page. When you receive it, check that the following are correct: 

• Your name and address

• Coverage limits

• Deductibles

• Endorsements

• Premium

• Discounts 

In addition, you can typically refer to your home insurance declaration page to find your policy number, coverage types, and insurer's contact information as needed.

What to do if you find an error on your insurance declarations page

When you get a new policy or renew an existing one, review the declaration page carefully to make sure everything is correct. If you notice a mistake, like a misspelled name, wrong address, or incorrect deductible, contact your insurance provider right away to correct the error. A small typo can cause big problems if you need to file a claim later.