Why You Should Review Your Insurance Policy
An insurance policy is a legal contract between the insurer (your insurance company) and the insured (the policyholder). Legal agreements aren’t notorious for being fun to peruse, but reading and understanding your entire policy ensures you have the coverage you need and expect under the conditions you assume. Being an informed policyholder can also prevent disagreements between you and the insurer if you need to file a claim for a loss.
The 5 Parts of an Insurance Policy
Declarations Page
The Declarations Page is also called the “dec page,” though it can be longer than one page. It summarizes the key details of your policy, and is the first part you’ll encounter. It should include:
The type or name of the coverage being provided.Policy details like the policy period, number, and premium.Names of the people covered and assets (if applicable).The dollar limits on coverages and your corresponding deductibles.A list of endorsements included in the policy or their total number.Discounts applied to the policy.
Definitions
The “Definitions” section defines common words, narrows their meanings, and helps avoid ambiguity that could work against the insurer in a court of law. Common words may have limited definitions in a particular insurance contract. Defined terms are also listed throughout the policy with special formatting like italics, boldface font, and quotations to show they have special definitions. In general, words that aren’t defined are open to interpretation, but defined ones should be carefully reviewed for coverage inclusions and exclusions.
Insuring Agreements
The Insuring Agreements are typically the main part of the policy. They define who and what is covered by the policy and what the insurer promises to do and not do in exchange for your premium. This could mean paying for bodily injury, property damage, and legal defense costs up to the policy limits in a covered car accident. You might see an Insuring Agreement listed as “Policy Coverage” or another name that indicates it’s about your coverage. Each coverage part could have its own Insuring Agreement. Insuring Agreements often give a broad overview of the scope of coverage, then narrow it down in the Exclusions and Definitions sections. It’s important to read these three sections together for a clearer picture of precisely what is—and isn’t—covered so that you know you have the coverage you expect.
Exclusions and Limitations
The Exclusions section typically follows the Insuring Agreements, and lists what your policy doesn’t cover. For example, homeowners policies generally exclude damage from perils like floods and earthquakes. Auto policies may exclude damage from wear and tear. Policies may provide a section for exceptions to exclusions, to avoid having to list all possible exclusions and coverages. Policy limits are listed on the Declarations Page and describe how they are applied in the “Limits of Liability.” Limitations list the maximum dollar amount or percentage of the total loss (or a combination) that may be reimbursed under the policy in a given claim or period, such as $500,000 to reconstruct your home after a claim, or $1 million annually across all lawsuit claims made under a small-business insurance policy.
Conditions
The Conditions section includes the policy provisions that qualify or limit the insurance company’s promise to pay or perform. That means if you don’t meet the conditions laid out here, the insurer could deny your claim. One condition you might see in a homeowners policy is protecting your property after a loss to prevent further damage, or allowing the insurer to inspect a fire damage claim before you begin repairs. Some other conditions may relate to subrogation rights, loss reporting and settlement, or cancellation and nonrenewal.
The Bottom Line
Insurance policies provide peace of mind that you’re protected in the event of a loss. It’s essential to make sure you understand your contract so that you’re confident your premium covers what you expect it does and you can proactively close coverage gaps. While knowing the five parts of an insurance policy can increase your overall understanding of your individual coverage, your insurance agent can review your policy’s intricacies with you so that you can fully comprehend it and make adjustments, if necessary.
