Market & Policy · Insurance Term
Declarations Page (Dec Page)
Definition
The declarations page, or dec page, is the summary at the front of an insurance policy. It lists who is insured, the policy dates, insured locations, coverages, limits, deductibles, premium and the forms and endorsements that make up the policy. It is the first page to check when your policy arrives.
In Plain English
Think of the dec page as the policy's fact sheet and table of contents. It shows the named insured, the policy period, each covered building with its limit of insurance, deductibles, and coinsurance or valuation terms. Most commercial packages have a separate dec page for each line, such as property, general liability and auto.
The dec page also lists the forms schedule, which names every coverage form and endorsement attached. The actual coverage lives in those forms. The dec page tells you what to read, not everything you need to know.
Errors on dec pages are easy to miss: a misspelled entity name, an old address, a missing building or the wrong lender. Lenders often ask for the dec page as proof of coverage. Review it as soon as the policy arrives.
Not sure how your policy handles this? Have us review it, or get a quote.
Example
Hypothetical and simplified: An owner buys a second warehouse mid-year through a new LLC. The renewal dec page lists only the first LLC and the first address. If a fire hits the new building, the claim may face questions because neither the entity nor the location appears on the policy. Catching this during review allows a correction before a loss.
What to Watch For
- Confirm every legal entity that owns or manages property is listed as a named insured.
- Check each address, building limit, deductible and valuation basis against your records.
- Make sure lenders are listed correctly as mortgagee or loss payee.
- Compare the forms schedule with the quote to confirm nothing was added or dropped.
Common Questions
Is the declarations page the same as a certificate of insurance?
No. The dec page is part of the policy itself. A certificate of insurance is a separate summary for other parties, and it doesn't change or add coverage.
What should I do if something on my dec page is wrong?
Contact your agent right away and ask for a written correction, usually an endorsement. Don't wait until a claim to fix it.
Last updated October 14, 2026 · Primesure editorial team · How We Write