Your Car Insurance Declaration Page: What to Know

-- Updated April 2026 --

Article overview

• What a car insurance declaration page is and why it’s important

• Key details you’ll find on your declaration page

• How to access, use and store your dec page

• Tips for reviewing your coverage and using the page for policy management

Wondering what information is most important in your car insurance policy? The declaration page contains all the key details of your coverage, making it easy to review limits, discounts, and other essential information at a glance.

This straightforward guide will help you make the most of your declaration page for better policy management and peace of mind.

How to access your car insurance declaration page

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.

Top uses for your declaration page

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.)

Here’s a summary of reasons you may need your auto insurance declaration page:

1. Quick summary of your current policy limits while car shopping.
2. Car insurance renewal time and want to check your current coverage against the policy renewal.
3. You’ve had an accident and need to know your coverage limits and deductible amounts.
4. Temporary proof of car insurance prior to purchasing a new or used vehicle from a dealership.

Key information found on a declaration page

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:

• Your name and address
• Policy information, including the policy number and the dates coverage begins and ends
• The names of all additional drivers covered under the policy
• A list of all cars that are covered, including each car’s make, model, year and VIN number
• The types of coverage, such as liability coverage, medical payments coverage and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
• The coverage limits you selected when you bought the policy
• Deductibles for comprehensive car insurance coverage and auto collision coverage
• Discounts you qualify for
• Other elected options, such as a rental car coverage rider, may also be listed.

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:

• Your name and address
• Policy information, including the policy number and the dates coverage begins and ends
• The names of all additional drivers covered under the policy
• A list of all cars that are covered, including each car’s make, model, year and VIN number
• The types of coverage, such as liability coverage, medical payments coverage and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
• The coverage limits you selected when you bought the policy
• Deductibles for comprehensive car insurance coverage and auto collision coverage
• Discounts you qualify for
• Other elected options, such as a rental car coverage rider, may also be listed.

Knowledge about your insurance as a car owner is important

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.