Policy Endorsements

Changes to your policy during its current period

Policy endorsements are those pesky letters from you insurance company (they look like junk mail).

Most people do not even read them. In these endorsements, the insurance carrier will change important pieces of the policy. They might change the definition of a word. Change the word and to or in certain places.

Your carrier will not wait for you to renew your policy to incorporate changes that they think it will benefit them. Instead they will send policy endorsements to make these changes effective immediately. Once the policy is renewed, the changes should be included in your auto policy.

Policy endorsements are considered part of the policy, so you need to be aware of what changes the carrier is making.

If you do not have a copy of your insurance policy, then the best thing to do is call your agent and ask for your policy declarations, your auto policy, and any endorsements that are active.

Many agents will have to get back to you on that. They do not know what is going on with the underwriting department.

If you do have a claim, be sure to have the three pieces of the policy in front of you. This way, the adjuster cannot tell you that there was a change or that there was something that you missed.

Make them point out to you exactly the policy language they are using in YOUR auto policy (same issue, and edition date). If the “change” is not crystal clear, then remember the Interpretation of the Policy concept.

Now that you know how to piece together the declarations page, the auto policy, and the policy endorsements, you can learn the general meaning of each coverage. Read more.

Did you know that your insurance company can change the terms of your policy in the middle of the policy period? How can they get away with this?

Learn how to read your auto insurance policy
Auto Policy Declarations Page
The Actual Auto Policy Part I
The Actual Auto Policy Part II
Read your Policy Endorsements

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