What Is a Car Insurance Declaration Page—and Why Is It Important?

The key to easily referencing important points of information related to your coverage selections for your auto policy can be found on the policy's declaration page.

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When you’re looking for the high-level key information in your car insurance policy, there’s a quick and easy place to find it: the policy’s declaration page. Also called a “dec page,” it’s a summary of the details specific to your elected coverage. It might be more than one page long, but all your policy coverage selection information is presented there in an easy-to-reference format.

How Do I Get One?

An auto declaration page is issued when you purchase a new insurance policy, when you make changes to an existing policy, and every time you renew your policy, which normally happens every six months. It may be available to you in hard copy, electronic format or both and will be sent to you by email, fax or regular mail.

What Do I Use It For?

Let’s say you’re shopping for car insurance and want a quick summary of your current policy limits. Or you renewed your policy and want to ensure it’s the same as last year’s. Perhaps you had a crash or other incident, and you need to know your coverage limits to decide if you should file a claim. Maybe you just need temporary proof of your car insurance to drive off the lot with a vehicle you just purchased. In each case, your auto insurance declaration page is the answer. (Note that a declaration page is not a legal substitute for the certificate of insurance you may be required to show when you’re driving.)

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What Does It Include?

The primary purpose of the declaration page is to be a reference for the policyholder, helping you understand your policy coverage selections at a high level. The layout of your declaration page will vary based on your insurance company, but all will include the following:

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Where Should I Keep It?

Read it—carefully—as soon as you receive it. Confirm that your coverage is exactly what you wanted, look for errors and ask your agent questions. (You don’t want to find out after you file a claim that something was incorrect or misinterpreted.) Make sure a hard copy or electronic file of the dec page is easy to find when you need it. Keep it handy, but know you can likely find it online from your insurer through your insurance company’s mobile app or by contacting your agent.

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Are There Other Types of Insurance Declaration Pages?

Yes. Your home or renters insurance company will provide a similar declaration page at the beginning of each policy term. Review it carefully, just as you would your auto declaration page.

Don’t Stop Now

Now that you know what a car insurance declarations page is and why it’s important, you’ll be more comfortable doing something every policyholder should do—reading the rest of your agreement from beginning to end.

Stay Protected

AAA insurance advisors can conduct a free review of your current auto and home insurance to help ensure you have protection that’s right for you and that you are getting all the discounts you qualify for.

This information is being provided for general informational purposes only. The Auto Club Group does not assume any liability in connection with providing this information.

Coverage is subject to all policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations. Discounts and savings opportunities subject to eligibility requirements. Subject to underwriting requirements. AAA Insurance is a collection of AAA branded insurance products, services, and programs made available to qualified members. Personal lines insurance is underwritten by Auto Club Insurance Association, MemberSelect Insurance Company, Auto Club Group Insurance Company, Auto Club Property-Casualty Insurance Company, The Members Insurance Company, Universal Insurance Company, Auto Club South Insurance Company, or Auto Club Insurance Company of Florida. ©2024 The Auto Club Group. All rights reserved.

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