What Is a Homeowners Insurance Declarations Page?

A homeowners insurance declarations page is where you’ll find the most important information about your policy. This one- or two-page overview explains things like how much coverage you have, when your policy takes effect and how much it costs.

You may find your full homeowners insurance policy too long or confusing to read word for word. But it’s worth taking a few minutes to look over the declarations page to make sure you have the coverage you expect.

When you buy or renew a homeowners policy, your insurance company will generally send you a copy of the declarations page either in the mail or electronically. You may also be able to access your policy details by logging in to your insurer’s website or mobile app.

If you make changes to your coverage during your policy term, the insurer will likely reissue the declarations page to reflect your new limits.

The layout of a homeowners insurance declarations page varies slightly from one company to the next, but you’ll typically see the following:

Your policy’s start and end dates. A typical homeowners policy term is one year.

The address of the insured property. If your mailing address is different, it may appear on the declarations page, too.

The name(s) of the people insured on the policy. These are usually the legal owners of the home. The page may also list the name and address of your mortgage lender, if you have one.

Your policy number and other insurance company information. For example, the policy may list the name and contact details of your local agent, plus the name and address of the insurance company.

Your coverage limits. A standard homeowners insurance policy has six types of coverage, each with its own limit that will be listed on your declarations page. These include: 

• Dwelling. Covers the structure of your house.

• Loss of use. Pays for you to stay elsewhere if your home is unlivable after a covered disaster.

• Personal liability. Pays for your legal defense if a court finds you liable for hurting someone else or damaging their property.

• Medical payments to others. Covers injuries to others on your property.

Your declarations page may also show additional types of coverage, often called endorsements. These are optional types of coverage that you’ve added to your policy. For example, they might include identity theft insurance or coverage for water damage from backed-up drains. 

Your deductibles. A deductible is the amount subtracted from a claim payout. Your deductible may be a flat amount, such as $1,000, or a percentage of your dwelling coverage. Keep an eye out for multiple deductibles that apply to different types of claims. For instance, you might have a $1,000 deductible for most claims but a 2% deductible for damage from hurricanes.

Your premium and discounts. If your insurer has given you discounts for things like bundling multiple policies or signing up for autopay, the declarations page will often list them. It’ll also show the total cost of your policy.

The declarations page offers an overview of your coverage, but when it comes to insurance, the details matter.

For instance, the declarations page may say that you have $100,000 worth of coverage for your personal belongings, but it may not tell you that you’re covered for jewelry theft only up to $1,500. Another example: The declarations page notes that you have coverage for the structure of your home up to $250,000. However, it doesn’t mention that the coverage won’t apply to flood or earthquake damage.

For specifics like these, you’ll need to read the policy itself. Look for sections with words like “exclusions” or “special limits” to get a clearer sense of where your coverage might fall short.

Look over the declarations page carefully to make sure your name and address are correct and the coverage, discounts and premium are as expected. If something doesn’t look right or you have questions, reach out to your agent or insurance company.