The Declarations Page

What you'll learn

• What the dec page is — and what it isn't
• The 8 numbers that decide your claim
• How to spot a coverage gap in 60 seconds
• The line carriers hope you skip

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2.1.1 Dec page ≠ policy

Dec page = summary. Policy = contract. Contract wins.

Dec page lists coverages and limits. Policy defines them — every condition, exclusion, endorsement.

If you only have a dec page, you don't have your policy. Carrier must provide a certified copy on request.

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2.1.2 The 8 numbers that matter

1. Named Insured — your name, exact spelling.
2. Property Address — must match the loss address.
3. Policy Period — loss must fall inside it.
4. Coverage A — Dwelling Limit — drives every other number on the page.
5. Hurricane Deductible — % of Coverage A, not flat dollars. 5% on $400K = $20,000 out of pocket.
6. AOP Deductible — flat dollars (often $1K–$2.5K), applies to non-hurricane losses.
7. Endorsements List — riders that change your coverage. Read each one in the policy.
8. Mortgagee Clause — if you have a mortgage, lender is co-payee on losses above ~$5K.

Don't know all 8 of yours? You don't know what you bought.

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2.1.3 Spot a coverage gap in 60 seconds

Red flags. Each = thousands at claim time.

• Coverage A below current rebuild cost. FL construction +30% in 5 years. Underinsurance = your money.
• No O&L endorsement, or stuck at 10%. Code upgrades run 15–30% of repair cost. (Ordinance and Law)
• Mold sub-limit too low. $5K–$10K standard. Real water-loss mold often $25K+.
• No screened enclosure / pool cage endorsement. Excluded from base dwelling in most FL policies.
• Hurricane deductible at 5–10% when 2% available. Each percentage point on $400K = $4K of your money.
• Personal property at default 50% of Coverage A. Walk your house. Most homes need more.

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2.1.4 The line carriers hope you skip

Look for "Loss Settlement" — sometimes on dec page, more often in the policy.

This single line decides whether your roof gets RCV (full replacement) or ACV (depreciation deducted). On a 15-year-old roof, that's the cost of a new roof.

FL carriers have moved older roofs to ACV-only at renewal. Many homeowners signed without noticing. Find your provision. Read the actual text. (Math in Module 2.5 — ACV vs RCV.)

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2.1.5 What the dec page won't show you

• Full exclusions list
• Mitigation duty + deadlines
• EUO + recorded statement provisions
• Appraisal clause (and recent reform amendments)
• Pre-suit notice requirement (§ 627.70152)
• Mold, water, roof, named-storm conditions

All in the policy body. Dec page won't hint at most of them.

When the carrier denies, they cite the policy. Not the dec page.

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2.1.6 Action steps

1. Pull your dec page — every page.
2. Write down the 8 numbers from 2.1.2.
3. Highlight the endorsements list.
4. Find the Loss Settlement provision (dec page or policy body).
5. Calculate your hurricane deductible in dollars. Don't trust the percentage.

Next: 2.2 Coverages A through F.

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Educational. Not legal advice. Florida insurance law changes — verify current statutes before relying on any specific rule.