What is a Declaration Page for Car Insurance?

A car insurance declaration page summarizes the details that are essential to your coverage. You can find it attached to your policy or request it by phone.
Written by Carol Chung
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
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Car insurance
is there to protect you in the event of an accident or mishap, but it won’t do you much good if you don’t know what it covers or when it’s available to you. This is why a car insurance declaration page can be so useful–it provides a convenient overview of your policy.
Once you gather
car insurance quotes
and pick a policy, you can access your auto insurance declaration page.
What is a declaration page for car insurance and how do you use it? Car insurance comparison shopping and broker app
Jerry
has compiled everything you need to know. Read on to find out.
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What's on a car insurance declaration page?

The car insurance declaration page lists all of the most essential details of your policy. These may include:
The named insured: Generally this is you, the person who has bought the policy. The auto insurance declaration page may also list additional insured people, such as your spouse or children.
Any excluded drivers: These are people you ask your insurance company to not cover under your policy. Why would you want to
exclude a driver
in this manner? To save money. For example, if your teenage son gets a
DUI
, his premium will spike–and so will yours since you live in the same household. But if you exclude him from your policy, you won’t be hit with that massive rate hike.
Your car insurance company: The insurer’s address and phone number should be listed.
Your insurance agent: If applicable, the car insurance declaration page will contain your agent’s name and phone number.
The lienholder: If you’re leasing or financing your car, the
lienholder
is the company or lender that has the legal right to seize the vehicle if you
fail to settle your debt
. Their address may be listed on the auto insurance declaration page.
Your policy number: This is a unique number that’s used to identify your account.
The length and effective dates of your policy term: If you have this information, you’ll know when you’re covered. Car insurance policy terms tend to last either six months or one year.
The year, make, model, and vehicle identification number (VIN): The auto insurance declaration page includes information about every car insured by the policy.
Your driving history: This may include accidents and tickets for traffic violations. You'll likely save on insurance costs if you have a
clean driving record
.
Your average annual mileage: Your mileage is one of the factors that determines your car insurance premium. You may need to send your insurer an odometer disclosure statement at the start of your policy.
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How to read your car insurance declarations page

Your auto insurance declaration page is meant to be a quick summary of your policy. If you want the finer points, like exclusions or definitions of terms, you’ll need to read through the policy details pages.
At the top of the declaration page, you’ll likely see your policy number and effective dates with a specific day, month, and year. As you scroll down, you’ll see the rest of the details listed above. You can also expect to find the following:
Your premium: If your policy covers more than one car, the auto insurance declaration page will list the rate for each vehicle as well as your total premium. If you prefer, you can buy a different level of coverage for each car.
Your coverage limits: These represent the maximum amount of money your insurance company will pay toward a covered claim. If your expenses surpass your limits, you’ll have to pay the remaining balance out of pocket.
Your deductibles: These represent the amount of money you'll have to pay out of pocket before your insurance company pays for the rest of a claim. Deductibles are commonly required for
comprehensive
and
collision coverage
, but they don’t apply to liability coverage.
Any discounts you’ve qualified for: Car insurance discounts may reward you for being a safe driver, having a home insurance policy with the same company, or
driving less
than the average number of miles per year, for example.
Any optional coverage you have: You can get additional protection for your vehicle by purchasing coverages like glass insurance,
gap insurance
, or mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI).
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How to get a copy of your insurance declarations page

Your car insurance declaration page should be available along with the rest of your policy once you purchase car insurance or adjust your coverage. It’s typically attached to the front of the policy.
If you don’t have a copy of your auto insurance declaration page, you can request one by calling your insurance company. You can also access it through your insurer’s website or app.

Is a declaration page proof of insurance?

A car insurance declaration page can be an acceptable
proof of insurance
when you’re purchasing a vehicle. Most often, your insurance company will send the declaration page to the dealership or lender to confirm that you have coverage, though you may sometimes have to do this yourself.
Other acceptable types of proof of car insurance include:
  • A physical or digital insurance ID card
  • A proof-of-coverage letter from your insurance company
  • An
    SR-22
    or FR-44 filing, which proves that a high-risk driver has the required amount of car insurance coverage in their state

Where to shop for car insurance

If you’re the old-fashioned type, you may prefer to shop for car insurance over the phone or in-person with an agent or broker. But shopping for car insurance online is generally quicker and easier, especially if you use a digital comparison tool like
Jerry
.
Signing up is free and takes about 45 seconds. Once you do, you’ll get quotes that compare your current level of coverage from several top companies. If you want to switch to a more affordable policy, all you have to do is click a button—as a
licensed broker
, Jerry will take care of the rest by handling all the paperwork to set up your new car insurance.
And this isn’t a one-time process. Jerry will also send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price.
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