How to Read Your Florida Homeowners Insurance Declarations Page (With Examples)

Your declarations page — commonly called the "dec page" — is the most important document in your Florida homeowners insurance policy. It's the summary page that tells you exactly what you're covered for, how much you're covered for, what your deductibles are, and what you're paying. It's usually 1-2 pages long and sits at the front of your policy documents. And most Florida homeowners have never actually read theirs. That's a problem — because your dec page contains information that directly affects how much you'll receive in a claim, how much comes out of your pocket, and whether you have gaps in your coverage. Here's how to read every section.

What Is a Declarations Page?

The declarations page is the personalized summary of your homeowners insurance policy. While the full policy document can be 50-100+ pages of legal language, the dec page distills everything specific to you into a concise overview:

• Who is insured (named insured)
• What property is insured (address)
• What type of policy you have (HO-3, HO-6, DP-3, etc.)
• Your coverage limits for each category
• Your deductibles (including hurricane deductible)
• Your annual premium and how it breaks down
• Your policy period (start and end dates)
• Any endorsements (additions or modifications to standard coverage)

Think of it as the cover sheet that tells you exactly what you bought.

Coverage A: Dwelling (Your House)

What it covers: The physical structure of your home — walls, roof, foundation, attached structures (garage, porch).

What to check: Your Coverage A limit should equal the full replacement cost of your home — what it would cost to completely rebuild at current construction costs. This is NOT your home's market value or purchase price. Replacement cost is based on square footage, construction type, finishes, and local labor/material costs.

Common mistake: Under-insuring. If your Coverage A limit is $250,000 but your home would cost $350,000 to rebuild, you have a $100,000 gap. Worse, many policies include a "coinsurance" clause that can reduce your payout proportionally if you're significantly under-insured.

Florida-specific note: Construction costs have increased 20-40% since 2020. If you haven't updated your Coverage A limit since then, you may be significantly under-insured.

The Deductibles Section

This is where most Florida homeowners get surprised. Your dec page lists multiple deductibles:

All Other Perils (AOP) Deductible

A flat dollar amount ($1,000, $2,500, $5,000) that applies to non-hurricane claims — fire, theft, water damage, fallen trees, etc.

Hurricane Deductible

This is the critical one for Florida. Your hurricane deductible is almost always a percentage: 2%, 5%, or 10% of your Coverage A (dwelling) limit. Full hurricane deductible guide →

Quick math: If your Coverage A is $300,000 and your hurricane deductible is 5%, your out-of-pocket in a hurricane claim is $15,000 before insurance pays anything.

Other Deductibles

Some policies have separate deductibles for water damage, sinkhole, or other specific perils. Check each line.

Endorsements: What's Been Added or Changed

Endorsements are modifications to your standard policy. They either add coverage, remove coverage, or change terms. Common Florida endorsements to look for:

• Roof Surface Payment Schedule (ACV Roof): Changes your roof coverage from replacement cost to actual cash value. This is the endorsement that can cost you $15,000-$25,000 in a claim. ACV vs. replacement cost →
• Water Damage Exclusion/Limitation: Some policies exclude or limit coverage for water damage — a common Florida claim type.
• Sinkhole Coverage: Optional endorsement for broader sinkhole coverage beyond the standard catastrophic ground cover collapse.
• Ordinance or Law: Covers additional costs to bring your home up to current building codes during repairs. Important in Florida where codes have changed significantly.
• Increased Replacement Cost: Extends your Coverage A by 25-50% if actual rebuild costs exceed your limit. Very valuable given rising construction costs.

Premium Breakdown

Your dec page shows your total annual premium and how it breaks down. Key items to look for:

• Base premium: The starting rate for your property and coverage.
• Wind mitigation credits: Discounts applied based on your wind mitigation inspection. If you don't see any credits here and you have a wind mitigation report on file, ask your agent why. Wind mitigation guide → Need an inspector? InspectFlorida.com matches you with a licensed Florida inspector — no calling around.
• Surcharges: Additional charges for older roofs, prior claims, or other risk factors.
• Assessments: Citizens or FIGA (Florida Insurance Guaranty Association) assessments that may be added to your premium.
• Discounts: Multi-policy, claims-free, new roof, or other applicable discounts.

Red Flags to Look For

1. ACV roof endorsement. If your roof coverage says "Actual Cash Value" instead of "Replacement Cost," you have a major coverage gap on your roof.
2. Under-insured dwelling. If your Coverage A limit is lower than what it would cost to rebuild your home at current prices, increase it immediately.
3. High hurricane deductible you didn't choose. Some carriers default to 10% hurricane deductibles. Make sure yours reflects your actual risk tolerance.
4. Missing wind mitigation credits. If you have a wind mitigation report and don't see credits applied, your carrier may not have the report on file.
5. Water damage exclusions. If your policy excludes or severely limits water damage coverage, you have a significant gap for one of Florida's most common claim types.

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