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What is an Insurance Declaration Page?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

An insurance declaration page is a piece of paper which provides basic information about an insurance policy. Typically, the first page of an insurance policy is a declaration page, and people can also receive a copy as a standalone item. The declaration page is not the same thing as the proof of insurance which people may be required to carry with a vehicle or present when they want to make a claim on a health insurance policy. The proof of insurance carries some of the details of the declaration page, but it is less detailed.

Essentially, the insurance declaration page is like a quick guide to the insurance policy, providing all of the basic information the policyholder needs to know. It includes the name and address of the insurance agency, with information about the issuing agent, and it includes the contact information for the insured individual. It also states what is insured, for how much, under which circumstances, and for how long. For example, a car insurance declaration document might declare that a vehicle has comprehensive insurance for the dates of 1 January 1969 through 1 January 1970.

The insurance declaration page provides basic coverage information for a policyholder.
The insurance declaration page provides basic coverage information for a policyholder.

The declaration page also includes endorsements, additions to the policy beyond the basic coverage already described. To use the example of car insurance again, the insurance policy could state that the car also has an auto glass endorsement, specifically covering damage to the windows, and a towing package, which will cover towing of the vehicle in the event that it is disabled.

Auto insurance companies typically employ customer service agents to assist policyholders 24 hours a day.
Auto insurance companies typically employ customer service agents to assist policyholders 24 hours a day.

It is important to review an insurance declaration page when a copy of an insurance copy is issued. If information on this page is erroneous, it means that the insurance company does not have the right information on file, and this could become a problem if a claim needs to be made against the policy. If the amount of coverage looks wrong, the contact information is incorrect, the description of the item being covered is wrong, or there are other problems, the errors on the insurance declaration page should be brought to the attention of the insurance company so that they can be corrected.

Insurance declaration pages spell out term limits and coverage.
Insurance declaration pages spell out term limits and coverage.

It is a good idea to store insurance policies, certificates of title, and other important legal documents such as birth certificates and passports in a safe deposit box in a secure facility, so that they cannot be stolen or damaged. However, since this information sometimes needs to be accessed quickly, many people make copies of their basic information and keep them on file at home or in the office so that they can pull up the information quickly when they need it.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a SmartCapitalMind researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a SmartCapitalMind researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

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Discussion Comments

anon258179

Do I have to release my auto declaration to the attorney for a pedestrian who was hit while someone else was driving my car? If not, what will the next steps for the attorney be?

write79

I never understand anything that it says on my homeowners insurance declaration page, beyond the simple stuff like name and address. I always call my agent to explain exactly what that information means. I don't like to be left in the dark. I want to know exactly what is covered and what is not.

geronimo8

When you buy insurance for your car, home, or anything else, you should always review your declaration page when it comes in the mail. That way you can make sure you understand exactly what kind of coverage you have, and make sure you aren't paying for anything extra that you don't really need.

roxytalks

It's a good idea to keep a copy of your auto insurance declaration page easily accessible. There are always new insurance companies popping up that may have a better deal than the one you currently have, and existing companies are always promoting why their services are better than others.

You may, therefore, be tempted from time to time to investigate and see if you can get cheaper insurance coverage than what you already have.

The trick is getting a good price without sacrificing any of the benefits you already have. This is where your declaration page comes into play. There have been many times that I wanted to get a quote from an insurance company, but when questioned about my current coverage, I didn't know the answers. Having your declaration page handy will provide those answers.

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    • The insurance declaration page provides basic coverage information for a policyholder.
      By: gunnar3000
      The insurance declaration page provides basic coverage information for a policyholder.
    • Auto insurance companies typically employ customer service agents to assist policyholders 24 hours a day.
      By: auremar
      Auto insurance companies typically employ customer service agents to assist policyholders 24 hours a day.
    • Insurance declaration pages spell out term limits and coverage.
      By: Duncan Noakes
      Insurance declaration pages spell out term limits and coverage.
    • Policyholders typically have a card they present at the clinic to ensure their insurance company is properly billed.
      By: contrastwerkstatt
      Policyholders typically have a card they present at the clinic to ensure their insurance company is properly billed.