Declarations Page (Dec Page)

The declarations page — universally called the "dec page" — is the first thing you should review when you receive a new or renewed policy. It condenses your entire insurance program into a single summary: who is insured, what coverages are included, what limits and deductibles apply, and the exact dates coverage is in force. For tree service companies juggling multiple policies (GL, auto, workers' comp, inland marine), the dec page for each policy is your cheat sheet.

When your agent sends over a renewal, compare the new dec page line-by-line against the expiring one. Look for changes in limits, deductible increases, coverage removals, or classification code changes. Carriers sometimes adjust these at renewal without fanfare, and the dec page is where those changes surface. A limit that dropped from $2 million to $1 million or a deductible that doubled can have serious financial consequences if you do not catch it.

The dec page is also the document you will reference most often when completing bid packages or responding to contract insurance requirements. General contractors and property managers frequently specify minimum limits — $1M/$2M GL, $1M auto liability, statutory workers' comp. Your dec pages are the fastest way to verify compliance without digging through the full policy forms.

Keep digital copies of every dec page organized by policy year. If a claim arises from work performed three years ago, you will need the dec page from the policy that was in force at the time of the incident to confirm coverage applied. A simple folder structure — organized by year and coverage line — saves hours of scrambling when a claim surfaces.