If you have a mortgage on your home, your lender will require you to send the declaration page to prove you’re renewing your insurance annually.
Westend61/Getty
A homeowners insurance declaration page lists the specifics of your policy like your coverage and premiums owed.
You receive a homeowners insurance declaration page when your policy is issued.
You can get your insurance declaration page via mail or through your insurance online account.
When you purchase a policy, you’ll receive a document called an insurance declaration page. This is a one- to two-page document that briefly outlines your policy information.
An insurance declaration serves as proof of insurance. If you have a mortgage on your home, your lender will require you to send the declaration page to prove you’re renewing your insurance annually. If you fail to provide a declaration page each year, you may be subject to “force-placed insurance.” Your lender will purchase a
policy on your behalf, which tends to be more expensive than if you were to renew your policy on your own, according to Allstate.
What’s included in your homeowners insurance declaration page?
“Whenever you purchase homeowners insurance, update a policy, or switch insurance carriers, you’ll receive a new homeowners insurance declaration page that highlights what’s included in your policy,” says Steve Wilson, senior underwriting manager at Hippo.
With your declaration page, you’ll receive a binder of documents that go into depth about the details of your policy. This can often feel overwhelming, and a declaration page will allow you to review what’s included in your policy at a moment’s notice, says Wilson.
A standard homeowners insurance declaration page will include basic information like the policy holder’s name, policy number, policy start and end date, and the location of the insured property. The declaration page will also include your coverage type, coverage limits, deductible, premium, and discounts. The contact info of your insurance provider and details of your mortgage, if you have one, will also be displayed.
A declaration page will not include thorough details about your policy. According to Hippo, there are three elements your declaration page may not include.
Specific exclusions: Specific exclusions are a “list of perils, specific events or even objects that a company won’t provide financial protection over,” according to Hippo. Your declaration page will not display what risks are and are not covered.
Complete policy application: A homeowners insurance application contains specific details about you and your home, which you fill out before receiving a quote. Information like your home’s age or credit score will not be available on your declaration page.
Actual insurance policy contract: The entire insurance policy contract will cover the specifics of your policy that your homeowners insurance declaration page does not.
How to read your homeowners insurance declaration page
A homeowners insurance declaration page gives you a general overview of your policy. It is relatively straightforward and takes almost no time to read.
Basic information
One of the first pieces of information you’ll see on your insurance declaration page is the name of the insured. Here, you’ll see the names of the policyholders. “It’s a good idea to double-check this section if you have roommates or live with a long-term partner to ensure they’re listed on the policy,” says Wilson.
You’ll also see your policy number, address of the home insured, start and end date of insurance, and information about your home.
According to Wilson, a property-specific information that may be listed on the “policy information,” section of your declaration page include:
The year your home was built
Residence type
The age of the roof
Any security systems
Relevant construction information
Additionally, you’ll see the contact information of your insurance agent as well as your mortgage lender (if applicable).
Coverage
A standard homeowners insurance will have four main parts: dwelling, personal property, loss of use, and liability coverage.
Dwelling: Coverage A protects your home’s structure and foundation. It also covers your built-in systems like plumbing, heating/cooling, and built-in appliances. Coverage B will also cover detached structures on your property like a garage or a pool if damaged by the listed perils in your policy.
Personal property: Coverage C protects your possession like free-standing appliances, clothes, jewelry, and electronics.
Loss of use: Coverage D will cover any expenses you have to make if your home becomes inhabitable due to damage, for instance, alternative housing arrangements.
Liability coverage: Coverage E will cover any expenses if someone sues you for injury or damage that someone experiences on your property. Coverage F offers paid medical treatment for guests injured on your property.
The coverage section will also show your limits for each type of coverage. A coverage limit is the maximum your insurer will pay for your home-related damages covered by your policy.
Deductibles
Your deductible will be listed as a fixed amount or percentage in your policy. A deductible is an amount you’ll have to pay before receiving compensation for your claim. For example, if you have a deductible of $1,000 and you have coverage for $15,000, your total payout would be $14,000.
Premiums
Your premium is the total amount you will have to pay to keep your coverage. On your insurance declaration page, you will find your monthly premium, your total premium for the year, and your policy’s upfront payment. Your declaration page may also show the breakdown of how much each coverage costs.
Endorsements
Endorsements or riders are available for additional purchase if you need more coverage or need to modify the coverage in your policy. If you purchase additional endorsements throughout the year, you’ll receive a new declaration page to reflect this new information, according to Wilson.
Discounts
You will also see the discounts you qualify for on your declaration page. Here are some of the common homeowners insurance discounts:
Multi-policy discounts: This is a discount you might receive for bundling your homeowners insurance policy with another insurance product, usually auto insurance.
New home/new home buyer discounts: You may qualify for a discount if you’re a new home buyer or just purchased a newly constructed home. What qualifies as a “new home” varies among insurance companies.
Automatic, pay-in-full, electronic funds transfer, paperless discount: You may get a discount for choosing a payment type.
Claims-free discount: This is a discount for having a clean record with your homeowners insurance.
Loyalty discount: Your provider may offer a discount for being insured with them for a consecutive number of years.
Home safety discount: You may be eligible for a discount if you have devices like burglar alarms or smoke detectors installed.
Smoke-free discount: Non-smokers can get a discount for having a smoke-free household.
Home improvement discount: You might get a discount for upgrading your roof, electrical, heating, and plumbing systems to improve the quality of your home.
Where do I find my homeowners insurance declaration page?
You’ll locate your insurance declaration page at the beginning of your homeowners insurance policy once your policy is issued. You can also call your provider to request a hard copy or access it online through your company’s app.
Wilson advises taking these steps after receiving your insurance declaration page:
Be sure to check this document thoroughly to ensure the information is accurate. Inform your insurance agent of misspelled names, incorrect addresses, and policy limits to avoid issues when filing claims or paying premiums.
Look at the premium breakdown for your annual premium owed including taxes and fees.
Keep your declaration page in a safe place. You’ll need to have it handy when filing a claim or submitting proof of insurance.
Request an electronic copy as a backup.
Set a reminder to review and update your declaration page annually.
