What Is the Difference between Proof of Insurance and an Insurance Declaration Page?

When a policy holder receives his or her policy documents from an insurance company, it will generally include both a proof of insurance and an insurance declaration page. This is often in regards to car insurance, though some other types of insurance may include these items as well. The insurance declaration page will specify in a general overview format the provisions of the insurance policy, such as the coverage limits and the premium, as well as any listed discounts. The proof of insurance is generally intended to be carried in the vehicle or on one's person, and includes more basic information such as the policy number, name and address of the policy holder, and the effective dates.

Both a proof of insurance and insurance declaration page are important to keep on file. The proof of insurance is needed if an individual driving a vehicle is ever pulled over for a traffic violation, or is involved in an accident. It allows the people involved in the accident to quickly and easily exchange insurance information. An insurance card to accompany health insurance might be another example of proof of insurance, which must be presented every time an individual goes to the doctor, the hospital, or picks up prescription medication unless he or she wants to pay it out of pocket.

By its nature, a proof of insurance card will be smaller than an insurance declaration page, and will contain less information. It generally includes the name of the insurance company, and contact phone numbers and addresses. It will also include the name of the policy holder, and policy numbers or group numbers as applicable. That is generally about all; aside from any co-pay information, insurance cards do not include details about the policy or its limitations. It is up to the policy holder to understand those limitations, by referencing the policy documents; including, the insurance declaration page.

The insurance declaration page will be a full-size document that includes all of the information specified on the proof of insurance card. In addition, however, it will also show the limitations of the policy, such as the selected coverage limits for each aspect of the insurance. It will also include the premium cost, and any listed discounts. This allows people to quickly check over their policy and ensure that it is what they think they have signed up for, and to contact the company to make changes if needed. When shopping around for insurance, it can also serve as an excellent reference page for comparisons.