Most people don’t read their insurance policy.
We get it—it’s long, technical, and full of terms no one uses in real life. But the truth is, what you think you’re covered for and what you’re actually covered for aren’t always the same—and those differences matter when the stakes are high.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how most policies are structured, and why the fine print isn’t just noise—it’s the backbone of your protection.
The Core Parts of Your Policy
Declarations Page (Dec Page):
This is the snapshot. It lists your coverage types, limits, deductible amounts, and policy period. It’s often the only page people look at—which is where things start to go wrong.
Insuring Agreement:
This section says what the policy does cover—but in broad strokes. Think of it as the promise the insurance company is making.
Exclusions:
These are the dealbreakers—the things the policy won’t cover. They vary between carriers, and they’re where people get blindsided. A solid policy review means we’re combing through every one of these to make sure there’s nothing hiding that could cost you later.
Conditions:
What you need to do if something goes wrong—how to file a claim, when to notify your agent, what documentation is required. Miss something here, and you could jeopardize the claim.
Endorsements (or Riders):
These are custom add-ons. They change or expand the policy to fit your needs. The best coverage plans don’t rely on the base policy—they’re built with smart endorsements that close gaps you didn’t know were there.
Where Things Go Wrong
Most issues happen in the gray areas:
- A cyber incident hits, but it’s not listed in your E&O policy.
- A contractor files a claim, but subcontractor coverage was excluded.
- A claim is denied because reporting timelines weren’t followed.
We’ve seen it all. That’s why we don’t just send PDFs and hope for the best. We walk you through your policy line by line—before the claim ever happens.
Not sure what your policy actually covers?
Reach out. We’ll translate the jargon and make sure your coverage fits your reality