To break the declarations page down further, we’ll discuss each aspect presented on the page, and this is done in no particular order, meaning your declarations page may or may not have the same information in the same order listed here. First we’ll mention the auto insurance company’s information on the page. The declarations page will have the name of the insurance company, as well as their contact information including a phone number and address. If you need to contact the company, the information is readily available here and also on the insurance card that you should have somewhere in your car in case it is immediately needed.

Next, you should find your policy number. Your policy number is a way the auto insurance company can identify you without using your name. This lessens confusion as there is typically more than one client sharing the same first and last names. A policy number can include numbers and letters together, or just numbers. You will need to know your policy number any time you want to contact the insurance company. You can also find your policy number on the insurance card.

Information regarding the coverage you have purchased is also included in the declarations page. The coverage you purchased will include the minimal requirements provided by your state, as well as any additional coverage options you felt the need to purchase. Bodily injury liability, property damage liability, personal injury protection, and uninsured motorist bodily injury may be some of the coverage options you purchased that will be listed on the declarations page. Read more about automobile premiums and policies in Auto Car Insurance Premiums section of author’s site.

The cost of each coverage you purchase for your auto insurance policy will also be listed on this page. The price of your policy is determined by individual factors, including the cost of coverage you added to your policy. If you carry additional coverage options past the state’s requirements, you can look at these “extra” options and decide if they fit into your budget, or if you can add more coverage for added protection.

Your deductible amounts may also be listed in the declarations page. A deductible amount is the amount of money you are willing to pay, out-of-pocket, when you make a claim to the auto insurance company. Any time you file a claim and expect the insurer to cover an accident-related cost, the insurer requires you to pay upfront a deductible. This amount can range from $250, to $1,000 or higher. The lower deductible you choose for your policy, the more expensive your policy premium will be.

Look for the policy periods on the declarations page to find out when your coverage begins and when it ends. You should also be aware that you have the option with the insurer to automatically renew your policy when it expires. This helps to avoid any time period of not carrying auto insurance, known as a policy lapse. It is illegal to drive a vehicle without proper auto insurance so it is vital that the policy always be in effect.

You will also notice your information, or the policyholder’s information, listed on the declarations page. Your name, address, and phone number will be listed on the page. It will also have information regarding the vehicle(s) you have insured with the company, such as the year, make and model of each vehicle. Always keep this information up-to-date with the auto insurance company so they can contact you easily with any questions they have or information they need.

You may think the declarations page is just one more nagging piece of paperwork, but in actuality it is the most important piece of paper that you have for your auto insurance. You will need to review your declarations page every time your policy renews to make sure no coverage was accidentally dropped or so you know your information is correct. Don’t disregard your declarations page as it comes in the mail or think of it as worthless because you think you already know what coverage is on your auto insurance policy.



By: Car Insurance Expert

About the Author:

StephanPeskin asked:

*New York State Auto/Car Insurance Coverage Laws Explained We have two types of insurance in New York State required of every motor vehicle. One deals with no fault insurance, which pays for medical benefits, lost wages, and some out of pocket expenses, regardless of fault. The other is liability insurance and they are not the same. What I want to urge each of you, is that you cover yourself as well as someone who is involved in a car accident with you. And by that I mean, if you carry …

Asia B asked:


So here’s the deal:

I need insurance for my 2008 ford focus. I have had an accident within the past year plus an additional moving violation point. I just really need to get the car insured or else my mom is going to take the car away from me because she wont let me drive it unless i get insurance for it. Anyone know about some dirt cheap car insurance? just to get my mom off my ***?

FJ asked:


Hi. I was involved in an accident in december 2007, I have informed my insurance company and have not claimed as there was no personal injury or damage to my car. The third party is claiming whiplash. I want to sell my car and cancel my insurance. Can i do this at anytime or do i have to wait until the whiplash claim has been settled? please help.

v8volvodude asked:


I live in Indiana, but am about to buy a used car that is in New York. I am going out there to pick it up and drive it back to Indiana. How do I go about insuring and licensing the car? This is my first experience with this. Do I need car insurance before I leave New York, or do I get that once I get it back to my home state and get it licensed and tagged? How long do I have before it needs to be insured? How long do I have before I need to get plates and everything for it?

Where can I search on the internet to find more information about this, also? Thank you.

Keeping your premiums from rising? That can feel like playing a game where the rule maker refuses to tell you the rules.

*If you have good credit, you’ll pay less on car insurance.

Almost all car insurers including the top five pull your credit report.

Why? Studies have shown a direct correlation between your credit score and the likelihood that you will file a claim.

Car Insurers also know that if you pay your bills in a timely fashion and have had the same credit accounts for a long time, you’re more stable than someone who pays late and frequently opens and closes accounts.

Car insurers use this information to create your “insurance risk score,” which is one factor that determines your car insurance rate.

Tip: Your car insurance risk score is not available to you, but it may be similar to your credit score. If you have unusual credit activity, wait a month for it to return to normal before buying car insurance.

*Your car model affects your premium car insurance. You won’t get these numbers from your Car insurer. But the car insurers do have a rating system for every car make and model.

Most use a system devised by the Car Insurance Services Office, which starts with the cost of the vehicle and then factors in safety and theft data.

Tip: You can file a claim on your home insurance. Most home insurance policies will cover smaller, less expensive items such as compact discs.

*Bad drivers will pay

You’ll pay for your bad driving. The industry standard is to increase your premium by 40% of the insurer’s base rate after your first at fault accident. Not all car insurers play by this rule.

Tip: Some car insurance companies have a forgive the first accident policy. So ask your Car insurance company if it has a forgiveness policy and how to qualify? .

*You’ll pay for your friend’s bad driving, too. If your friend borrows your car and crashes it, you’ll have to file a claim with your car insurance company.

Tip: If your friend didn’t have permission to take your car, in most cases you won’t be held liable for the damage. But if your friend is uninsured and causes damage that exceeds your policy limits, the injured party can come after you for medical and property damage expenses.

*Your car’s real worth

each car insurance company has its own proprietary list of car values.

The car insurance company may also ask local dealers what they’d charge for a similar replacement car.

Tip: If you disagree with your car insurance company’s value determination, there are several things you can do:

Next time, get gap insurance. It wil l pay the difference between what an car insurer will cover and what you owe.

If you have maintenance records that show you’ve had the oil changed every 3,000 miles and you’ve had the car checked routinely by a mechanic.

If you’ve been paying premiums on any special parts or upgrades, make sure those are included in the car insurance company’s evaluation.

*Odds and ends

Hit by an uninsured motorist? Try to “stack.” (UM/UIM) coverages means collecting from more than one car insurance policy that you hold.

Tip: Check the language of your car insurance policy to see if stacking is allowed.

There are two scenarios for stacking:

First, if you have multiple cars on your car insurance policy with UM/UIM coverage on each, you can collect the limit of your UM/UIM coverage under as many vehicles as necessary to cover full payment for damages.

Second, if you have more than one car insurance policy with UM/UIM coverage, even if they’re from two different car insurers, you can make a claim under each policy until all your damages are recovered.

*You can wait to add your teenager to your car insurance policy until he or she is licensed.

Tip: Don’t forget to tell your car insurance company that you have a licensed teen. If you have to file a claim on his or her behalf, your car insurance company is entitled to charge you back premiums from the date your teen received a license.

*You must officially cancel your car insurance policy when you switch car insurers. you can cancel your car insurance coverage at any time by notifying the car insurance company in writing of the date of termination.

Tip: Call your car insurance agent and let him know you are canceling your car insurance policy. Give a specific date, or you may end up uninsured for a period of time.

The car insurance company will send you a cancellation request. Most often, the form is already filled out and all it requires is your signature.



By: Adel Khamis

About the Author:

Jaide112 asked:


Can someone reccommend a good car insurance company that also provides renter’s insurance? Thanks.

LonelyPlanet asked:

Every weekend in Copacabana, lucky locals bring their new cars to church for a baptism. After they’ve dressed the car up in flowers and doused it in champagne, the priest comes around and blesses it (for a small donation, of course). It’s certainly cheaper and more fun than car insurance! Bolivia video. Produced by Lauren Saffa for Lonelyplanet.tv

amcconnell87 asked:


A friend of mine was in an acciedent but their insurance doesnt start til December. Is this possible? Do car insurance companies actually allow a driver to be uninsured for a month before starting their policy? :/

CarmenDelRio asked:


I just got my car but i cant register it till next week. I got a permit to drive it but I do not have insurance, so I heard you can get temporary car insurance for a month. Im not really sure though.. HELP!