What the declarations page shows
The "dec page" summarizes your policy. It includes:
- Named insured(s)
- Property address
- Policy period (effective and expiration dates)
- Coverage A through F limits
- Deductibles (standard, hurricane, named storm)
- Premium
- Mortgagee(s) and loss payees
- Endorsements attached
It is not the full policy. The full policy form plus endorsements is 50–100 pages behind it.
Coverage A: Dwelling
The structure of your home. This is the number everything else scales from. If Coverage A is $400,000:
- Other structures (Coverage B) typically 10% = $40,000
- Personal property (Coverage C) typically 50–75% = $200,000–$300,000
- Loss of use (Coverage D) typically 20–30% = $80,000–$120,000
Check whether Coverage A reflects actual Florida rebuild cost. Post-2020 construction inflation pushed rebuild costs up 40–60% in many markets; many policies haven't been adjusted.
Coverage B: Other structures
Detached garages, sheds, fences, pool cages, driveways. Hurricane damage to these is frequently significant and frequently under-claimed because homeowners forget Coverage B exists.
Coverage C: Personal property
Your contents. Subject to sublimits on jewelry, firearms, cash, business property, and other categories. If you have scheduled items (personal articles floater), they appear separately.
Coverage D: Loss of use / ALE
Covers the additional cost of living elsewhere while your home is being restored. 20–30% of Coverage A typical. Hotel, meals, pet boarding, transportation, storage: all within this limit.
Coverage E: Personal liability / F: Medical payments
Third-party injury protection. Not a property coverage.
Deductibles
- Standard deductible: flat dollar amount for most perils
- Hurricane deductible: usually 2–5% of Coverage A; triggered by a hurricane as defined in the policy
- Named storm deductible: slightly different; triggered by any storm given a name, even sub-hurricane
A $400K home at 2% hurricane deductible = $8,000 out of pocket before coverage starts. Verify the exact percentage.
Endorsements
Listed by form number. Each one modifies the base policy. Common ones on Florida policies:
- Law and Ordinance (HO-04-77 or similar)
- Limited Water ($10,000 cap)
- Cosmetic Damage Exclusion
- Roof Payment Schedule (depreciation schedule on roofs)
- Impact Window Credit
Each is worth understanding. Some restrict coverage; some expand it.
Mortgagee / loss payee
If your property is mortgaged, the lender is named as mortgagee. Significant claim payments often require the mortgagee's endorsement before you can cash them.