Your full homeowners insurance policy may be too long or confusing to read word for word. However, it's worth spending a few minutes reviewing the declarations page to ensure you have the coverage you expect.

Where to find your homeowners insurance declarations page

When you purchase or renew a homeowners policy, your insurance company will usually send you a copy of the declarations page via mail or electronically. Logging in to your insurer's website or mobile app may also allow you to access your policy details.

If you change your coverage during the term of your policy, the insurer will almost certainly reissue the declarations page to reflect your new limits.

What’s on a home insurance declarations page?

A homeowners insurance declarations page's layout varies slightly from company to company, but you'll typically see the following:

Your policy’s start and end dates. A typical homeowners policy has a one-year term.

The address of the insured property. If you have a different mailing address, it may appear on the declarations page as well.

The name(s) of the people insured on the policy. These are typically the legal owners of the property. If you have a mortgage, the page may also include the name and address of your lender.

Your policy number and other information from your insurance company. For instance, the policy may include the name and contact information for your local agent, as well as the name and address of the insurance company.

Your coverage limits. A typical homeowners insurance policy includes six types of coverage, each with its own limit, which is listed on your declarations page. These are some examples:

• Dwelling. Covers your home's structure.
• Other structures. Fences and other detached structures are covered.
• Personal property. It protects your belongings.
• Loss of use. It pays for you to stay somewhere else if your home becomes unlivable as a result of a covered disaster.
• Personal liability. Pays for your legal defense if a court finds you liable for injuring or damaging someone else's property.
• Medical payments to others. Injuries to others on your property are covered.

Additional types of coverage, known as endorsements, may be listed on your declarations page. These are extra types of coverage that you've chosen to include in your policy. They may, for example, include identity theft insurance or coverage for water damage caused by clogged drains.

Your deductibles. A deductible is the amount deducted from a claim settlement. Your deductible could be a set amount, such as $1,000, or a percentage of the cost of your home insurance. Keep an eye out for deductibles that apply to various types of claims. For example, you could have a $1,000 deductible for most claims but a 2% deductible for hurricane damage.

Your discount and premium. If your insurer has given you discounts for things like bundling multiple policies or signing up for autopay, they will usually be listed on the declarations page. It will also display the total cost of your insurance policy.

What’s not on a home insurance declarations page

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

For example, the declarations page may state that you have $100,000 in coverage for personal belongings, but it may not state that you are only covered for jewelry theft up to $1,500. Another example: the declarations page states that you have coverage for your home's structure up to $250,000. It does not, however, state that the coverage does not apply to flood or earthquake damage.

You'll need to read the policy for details like these. Look for sections that include words like "exclusions" or "special limits" to get a better understanding of where your coverage may fall short.

See our guide to essential terms in your homeowners policy for assistance in reading your policy.

How to use your homeowners declarations page

Examine the declarations page thoroughly to ensure that your name and address are correct, and that the coverage, discounts, and premium are as expected. If something doesn't seem right or you have questions, contact your insurance agent or company.

If you have a mortgage, your lender may request a copy of your declarations page as proof that you have adequate home insurance.