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Glossary

Declarations page

The declarations page is the first page of an insurance policy. It lists the named insured, policy number, coverage limits, deductibles, premium, and policy period — the summary that answers 'what does this policy cover, and for whom?'

By Andrew Bate, Co-founderReviewed by Stuart BateUpdated

Why this matters for property managers

Managers collect declarations pages from owners to confirm that each home carries liability coverage, and owners ask managers for the program's declarations to satisfy lenders and HOAs. Auto-enrolling homes in liability coverage at onboarding removes the chase for owner declarations entirely.

Related terms

Named insured
The named insured is the person or company listed on a policy as the primary policyholder, with full rights to file claims, add endorsements, and cancel coverage.
Certificate of insurance (COI)
A certificate of insurance is a one-page document that proves an insurance policy is in force, listing the named insured, coverage types, limits, effective dates, carrier, and any additional insureds. Homeowners, HOAs, lenders, and city permit offices routinely require one from property managers.
Homeowners policy
A homeowners policy is standard residential insurance for an owner-occupied home. Most homeowners policies exclude commercial activity, so they do not cover claims arising from short-term rentals — one of the largest coverage gaps in the vacation rental industry.
Surplus lines
Surplus lines insurance is coverage placed with carriers not licensed in the insured's state but approved to write risks the standard, admitted market will not. Many short-term rental products are written on surplus lines because admitted carriers have not caught up with the category.

Browse every term in the insurance glossary for property managers.

Declarations page: common questions

Is a declarations page the same as a COI?

No. The declarations page is part of the policy; a certificate of insurance is a separate document issued to third parties as proof of coverage.

What should I check on an owner's declarations page?

That the policy is in force, that short-term rental use is not excluded, and that liability limits meet the management agreement. Most homeowners policies fail the second test.

Related guides

General liability for property managers
Read the full Velaris guide.
Insurance for vacation rental property managers
Read the full Velaris guide.
Certificates of insurance
Read the full Velaris guide.

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