On this page
The declarations page is the summary of your entire homeowners policy — usually one or two pages at the front of the packet. Everything else in the policy explains the fine print; the declarations page tells you what you actually bought. If you only read one part of your policy, make it this one. Here is how to read each section.
Policyholder and property information
The top of the page lists the named insureds, the insured property address, and the policy period (start and end dates). Check that the names are correct — especially after a marriage, divorce, or trust transfer — and that the property address matches. Errors here can cause problems at claim time. Also note the policy number; you will need it for every interaction with the insurer.
Coverage limits (Sections A through F)
This is the heart of the page. Standard homeowners policies label coverages with letters:
- Coverage A — Dwelling. The limit for rebuilding the structure itself. This should reflect the cost to rebuild your home, not its market value or purchase price.
- Coverage B — Other structures. Detached garage, shed, fence. Usually 10 percent of Coverage A.
- Coverage C — Personal property. Your belongings. Usually 50 to 70 percent of Coverage A. Our guide to personal property coverage explains the sub-limits that apply here.
- Coverage D — Loss of use. Additional living expenses while displaced. Usually 20 percent of Coverage A.
- Coverage E — Personal liability. Typically $100,000 by default; raisable to $300,000 or $500,000.
- Coverage F — Medical payments to others. Usually $1,000 to $5,000 for minor guest injuries regardless of fault.
Ask yourself two questions: does Coverage A reflect current rebuilding costs in your area (not what you paid for the house)? And does Coverage E match your assets? If either answer is no, call your agent.
Deductibles
The declarations page lists your deductible — the amount you pay before insurance kicks in. Many policies now show two: a flat dollar deductible for most claims (say $1,000 or $2,500) and a separate percentage deductible for wind or hurricane damage (often 1 to 5 percent of Coverage A). In hurricane-prone states the wind deductible applies to any wind claim, not just named storms. Know both numbers before you need them — our explainer on home insurance deductibles covers how each type works.
Endorsements and riders
Below the base coverages, the page lists every endorsement attached to your policy, each with its own limit and premium: scheduled jewelry, water backup coverage, ordinance and law, equipment breakdown, identity theft. This section tells you what extras you are actually paying for. Review it annually — people accumulate endorsements they no longer need and miss ones they do.
Discounts and premium breakdown
The declarations page shows your total premium and often itemizes the discounts applied: bundling, protective devices, claims-free, new roof. If a discount you expect is missing — you installed a security system last year, for example — this is where you catch it. It is also where you see exactly how much each endorsement costs, which makes the annual review concrete.
Mortgagee and additional interests
If you have a mortgage, your lender is listed as mortgagee. The lender gets notified of cancellation or nonrenewal and can force-place insurance if your coverage lapses. After you pay off the mortgage, make sure the lender is removed — otherwise notices keep going to a company with no stake in your house.
How to use the annual review
Once a year, when the renewal packet arrives, spend fifteen minutes on the declarations page:
- Confirm Coverage A still matches rebuilding costs — construction costs move every year.
- Check that liability still matches your assets.
- Review endorsements: drop what you do not need, add what you are missing.
- Verify every discount you qualify for is applied.
- Confirm deductibles are still amounts you can comfortably pay out of pocket.
The declarations page will not teach you the policy’s exclusions — for that you need the full policy jacket — but it tells you the numbers that matter most. Keep a copy somewhere you can find it fast; when a pipe bursts at midnight, you want your deductible and claim number in thirty seconds, not thirty minutes.
