Glossary · Insurance & Risk
Declarations Page (Dec Page).
Summary page of an insurance policy listing covered vehicles, drivers, coverage limits, deductibles, and effective dates; the proof-of-insurance document.
What it is
The declarations page — universally called the "dec page" — is the summary front page of an insurance policy. It lists the policyholder name, policy number, named insureds, scheduled vehicles (year/make/model/VIN), covered drivers, coverage types and limits, deductibles, effective and expiration dates, and the premium amount. It is a single document that summarizes the policy without the dozens of pages of forms and endorsements that constitute the full contract.
It is the document brokers, shippers, lenders, and law enforcement use to verify coverage. The dec page updates each renewal or endorsement — adding or removing a vehicle or driver triggers a new dec page. It is not the same as a Certificate of Insurance (COI), which is a third-party-facing snapshot prepared as proof for specific entities (a broker, a shipper, a lender) and lists that entity as certificate holder. The dec page is the master record; the COI is the addressed copy issued from it.
Why it matters for trucking finance
The dec page is what every counterparty asks for to evidence coverage. Keep current versions accessible — in the cab, on the phone, in the broker portal. Lenders verify dec pages annually for equipment-loan compliance, and a missing dec page at audit is a covenant violation even when coverage is in place.
Broker contracts require a dec page or COI before dispatch — an outdated document held up at the dock creates real revenue loss. Dec page lapses between renewals are the most common cause of MC# inactivation surprises, almost always tracing back to a missed renewal notice.
Related terms
- Primary Liability — Commercial auto insurance covering bodily injury and property damage to others when at fault; FMCSA mandates $750K–$5M minimum based on cargo.
- Physical Damage — Coverage on the carrier's own truck and trailer against collision, theft, fire, vandalism, and other damage; typically required by equipment lenders.
- Motor Truck Cargo (MTC) — Insurance coverage protecting the freight in transit; required by most brokers and shippers, typically $100K minimum for general freight.
- AM Best — Independent rating agency that grades insurance carriers' financial strength; ratings affect which carriers are acceptable to brokers and lenders.
Related Dispatched products
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