What Is an Insurance Declaration Page? (Homeowner Guide)
4.6 / 5726 reviews
Been here before? Get your quotes back.
)
)
Written byMandy Sleight
)
Mandy SleightInsurance Writer
)
Edited byLequita Westbrooks
)
Lequita WestbrooksSenior Editor
)
Reviewed byJohn Leach
)
John LeachLicensed P&C Insurance Agent and Expert Reviewer
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
Updated
Why You Can Trust Compare.com: At Compare.com, it’s our mission to find simple ways to help our customers save money on the things they need. While we partner with some of the companies and brands we talk about in our articles, all of our content is written and reviewed by our independent editorial team and never influenced by our partnerships. Learn about how we make money, review our editorial standards, and reference our data methodology to learn more about why you can trust Compare.com.
A homeowners insurance declarations page is usually the first page of your home insurance policy. It gives a clear summary of your coverages, deductibles, premiums, and other key details without having to dig through pages of fine print. Reviewing your declaration page as soon as you receive it can help you spot errors and avoid coverage, claim, or payment issues.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to read your declarations page, what information to check for, when to use it, and how to correct mistakes.
What Is an Insurance Declarations Page?
An insurance declarations page, or dec page for short, is a quick summary of your insurance policy. Many types of insurance have dec pages, including auto, home, renters, and life insurance.[1] It shows the most important details in one place, like your:
Name
Address
Policy number
Policy period (effective and expiration dates)
Types of coverages, including optional coverages
Discounts
Deductibles
Insurance premium
An insurance declaration page isn’t your full policy contract. It’s a snapshot of your insurance coverage. It doesn’t include the rules, coverage, and exclusions. The layout also might look different depending on your insurance company. But the purpose is the same: clear, at-a-glance policy information.
Now, let’s take a deep dive into a homeowners insurance declarations page.
Find Home Insurance
Insurify partners with top insurers for accurate quotes
Excellent
4.6 out of 5 based on 726 reviews
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Why your declarations page matters
It’s important to review your home insurance declarations page whenever you receive a new policy, which is usually when it renews or when you make a change. If something is wrong, like your mortgage lender address, coverage limits, or deductibles, you can fix it quickly to avoid potential problems later.
Mortgage lenders typically require proof of homeowners insurance, and your declarations page can also serve as proof of your coverage details.[2][2]It lists the loss payee address and your loan number, which is how your lender and insurer connect your mortgage and home insurance policy. You can also use it to quickly review your coverage types, limits, and deductibles to help determine whether filing a claim makes sense.
Homeowners commonly need their declaration page when:
Buying or refinancing a home
Making major renovations or upgrades
Comparing insurance quotes
Looking for lender or insurer contact information
What Home Insurance Declaration Pages Include
A home insurance declarations page is organized in sections. While the layout varies by company, most include these main categories:[3]
Named insured: The full name, mailing address, and insured property address of the policyholder
Policy term: The effective date and end dates of the policy period
Policy limits: Coverage types and amounts of coverage for each type, which is the maximum amount your insurer will pay towards a covered loss
Additional coverages: Any optional add-ons, like sewer backup coverage
Deductibles: The amount you pay per claim before your insurance kicks in
Discounts: Savings you receive from discounts you qualify for, such as a burglar alarm system or bundling your home with auto insurance
Total premium: How much your policy costs per policy period
Home Insurance Coverage Types on a Declarations Page
Your home insurance declaration page usually lists several standard coverage categories. Insurers often label these protections as Coverages A through F. Most policies follow a similar structure, as you can see in the table below.[4]
Coverage Type  | What It Protects |
|---|---|
| Coverage A: Dwelling Coverage | The physical structure of your home, including the walls, floors, roof, and built-in systems |
| Coverage B: Other Structures Coverage | Structures on your property that aren’t permanently attached to your home, such as a shed, garage, fence, or swimming pool |
| Coverage C: Personal Property Coverage | Your belongings, including clothing, electronics, furniture, and appliances |
| Coverage D: Loss of Use Coverage | Additional living expenses if you can’t stay in your home after damage occurs |
| Coverage E: Personal Liability Coverage | Financial protection if you’re found legally responsible for injury or property damage to others |
| Coverage F: Guest Medical Payments Coverage | Medical expenses for guests injured on your property, even if you aren’t at fault |
The declaration page may also list optional coverages or endorsements you’ve added to customize your policy. Keep in mind that coverage names, letters, and groupings can vary by insurance company.
How to Read Your Home Insurance Declaration Page
)
Reading your home insurance declarations page shouldn’t feel overwhelming. Let’s take it one section at a time.
Start with your personal information. Check that your name is spelled correctly and that both your mailing and property addresses are accurate (if they differ). Even small issues could cause problems if you have to file a claim.
Next, review the property details. Make sure the home description matches your house, like the age, square footage, and style.
Check that the policy number and period are correct. Most homeowners policies run for one year.
Then, look at your coverage types and limits. Review each coverage category and confirm the amounts match what you agreed to when you bought or revised the policy. Pay close attention to the dwelling coverage, since it’s the foundation of your policy.
Check your deductibles. Make sure you understand how much you’d pay out of pocket if you filed a claim. You might have more than one deductible, depending on where you live and your insurance company.
Verify discounts. Make sure you’re getting all the discounts you qualify for.
Review lender information. If you have a mortgage, confirm your lender address and loan number are correct, especially if you’ve refinanced or your loan was sold to a new servicer.
Finally, verify your premium amount. Confirm the total cost and payment schedule match your original quote.
Keep a digital or printed copy somewhere easy to access. That way, you’re ready whenever you need it.
How to Get a Copy of Your Declaration Page
You typically have several options for getting a copy of your homeowner insurance declaration page.
You can usually log in to your online portal or mobile app and search for the declaration page in the policy documents section of your account. It may be listed separately as “declaration page” or within the full policy contract.
If you prefer personal help, contact your insurance agent or company directly. Your insurer can email you a copy or mail a printed version if needed. It’s also usually attached to the original policy documents sent when your coverage started, changed, or renewed.
Sometimes, you’ll need an updated copy, like when you change coverage, mortgage companies, or insurers or when you renew your policy. Lenders, mortgage services, and homeowners associations usually want the most recent version of your declaration page as proof that you have current insurance.
Digitally saving the current version can make these requests much easier and faster to handle.
What to Do If You Find an Error on Your Declarations Page
Errors on your declarations page can lead to coverage gaps, claim delays, or missed payments, so it’s important to address them quickly. Common mistakes include incorrect addresses, incorrect coverage limits, missing structures (such as a new pool or shed), or an outdated lender listed on the policy.
If you spot an error, follow these steps to fix it:
Contact your insurance agent or company. Call or email your insurer as soon as possible to report the mistake.
Request a correction. Provide the correct information and ask for a revised declarations page.
Review the updated page carefully. Confirm that all changes are accurate, especially your lender address and loan number if they’re responsible for making the premium payment.
If your mortgage company information was incorrect, notify your lender so they know you’re aware of the mistake and are working to fix it. Ask your insurer to send the corrected declarations page to your lender, and follow up to confirm they’ve received it. You can also send them a digital copy once you receive it.
Shop for Home Insurance
See quotes from top insurers in minutes
Excellent
4.6 out of 5 based on 726 reviews
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Home Insurance Declaration FAQs
Here are answers to common questions homeowners have about their home insurance declarations page.
Is a declaration page proof of insurance?
Yes. Your declaration page shows your coverage details, policy period, and insurer and lender information. That makes it an official document that lenders, servicers, and associations can accept as proof of insurance.
How often should you review your home insurance declaration page?
You should review your home insurance declaration page each time you receive an updated copy to ensure all information is accurate. You’ll receive an updated copy when your policy renews, you make a change to the policy, or you update your mortgage information.
Can your declaration page change mid-policy?
Yes. If you make coverage adjustments, add or remove endorsements, change mortgage companies, or correct errors mid-policy, your insurer will update your policy documents, including the declarations page.
Do auto and home insurance declaration pages look the same?
They follow a similar structure, and both list your coverage and personal information, but the details differ. Home declarations pages focus on your house and property coverage. Auto insurance declarations pages list vehicles, drivers, and car-specific coverage details.
What should you do if your lender rejects your declaration page?
Find out what the lender is rejecting, then contact your insurer immediately to correct it. Make sure to have an updated declarations page sent to you and your lender that meets their requirements.
Sources
- FindLaw. "Understanding the Insurance Declaration Page."
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). "What is homeowner's insurance? Why is homeowner's insurance required?."
- The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). "A Shopping Tool for Homeowners Insurance."
- Homeowners Insurance. "Insurance Topics."
)
Mandy SleightInsurance Writer
Lequita WestbrooksSenior Editor
John LeachLicensed P&C Insurance Agent and Expert Reviewer
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358