Sarah Parker
Whether you're a public adjuster, a staff or independent adjuster, an appraiser, a contractor, or an attorney, one of the first questions on any claim should be: do we actually have the whole policy?
It's common for a claim file to start with a declarations page, a renewal notice, or a policy summary, and for everyone to treat it as "the policy." It isn't. And any coverage analysis, estimate, or conversation with the policyholder that's built on an incomplete policy may be wrong from the start. This video explains how to check:
What a complete policy includes
The declarations page: a summary of who's insured, the property, the policy period, limits, and deductibles.
The policy form: the main coverage terms, conditions, and exclusions.
Endorsements and riders: documents that add to, remove, or change coverage in the policy form.
State amendatory endorsements: changes that adjust the policy to meet a specific state's laws.
Why it matters on a claim
The actual coverage terms live in the form and the endorsements, not on the declarations page. A single endorsement may change how a loss is valued (a roof payment schedule, for example), add or limit coverage (like water backup or cosmetic damage provisions), or change a deductible (such as a separate wind or hail deductible).
Miss one, and you may be:
quoting coverage that no longer applies as written
building an estimate on the wrong valuation method
missing a condition, like a notice or proof of loss requirement, with its own deadline
setting the wrong expectations with the policyholder
Confirming the full policy up front is one of the simplest ways to protect the accuracy of everything you do on the file after that.
How to check
Find the forms list. The declarations page often lists every form and endorsement in the policy, by form number and edition date.
Match each one. Compare each form number and edition date to the documents in the file. (Same form number, different edition date? The wording may be different.)
Check the page numbers. Many forms are numbered ("Page 3 of 22," for example). Make sure nothing is missing.
Confirm the policy period. Make sure the policy you're reviewing was in effect on the date of loss. Coverage can change at renewal.
Request a certified copy if anything's missing. The policyholder, or a representative with written authorization, can ask the insurer in writing for a complete certified copy. Some states have rules on how and when insurers must provide one; requirements vary by state.
Document what you reviewed. Note which forms and edition dates you had, and when. If a missing endorsement surfaces later, you'll have a clear record.
