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Policy Plain

Insurance policies, read line by line

Reference catalog

Policy desk

A glossary, two checklists, a guide to the declarations page and the standards we hold ourselves to. All of it is general information, and your policy and your insurer have the final word.

Reading the call numbers

  • GDE Reading guide
  • CHK Check sheet
  • LEX Lexicon
  • RUL House rules
  • DSK Desk tool
  1. GDE 01

    Reading a declarations page, field by field

    What each part of a declarations page tells you, and why the page only makes sense next to the rest of the policy.

    Reading guide Accessioned

  2. CHK 01

    Insurance renewal review checklist

    What to compare between last year's policy and this year's, and which questions to put to your agent.

    Check sheet Accessioned

  3. CHK 02

    Checklist for filing an insurance claim

    The steps to take after a loss, what to keep as evidence and how to keep a clear record with your insurer.

    Check sheet Accessioned

  4. LEX 01

    Insurance terms in plain language

    Short definitions of the words on a quote, a declarations page and a claim letter.

    Lexicon Accessioned

  5. RUL 01

    Policy Plain editorial standards

    The rules we follow on sources, state differences, numbers, corrections and the limits of general information.

    House rules Accessioned

  6. DSK 01

    Deductible break-even calculator

    Enter two deductibles and their premiums to see the extra premium, the saving per claim and the break-even point.

    Desk tool

Every page in this catalog is held to the Policy Plain editorial standards (RUL 01).