What Is an Insurance Endorsement?

An insurance policy.

An insurance endorsement is a change to your insurance policy. An endorsement adds to or restricts coverage. It is not part of the original policy. When an endorsement is added, it becomes a legal part of the insurance policy.

Adding Coverage

Some insurance endorsements add coverages for an additional premium to your policy, such as a rental reimbursement endorsement to your auto insurance. This endorsement adds coverage for a rental when your vehicle is being repaired.

Restrictions

An endorsement can be added to an insurance policy to restrict coverage. For example, many insurance policies have endorsements excluding coverage for losses caused by acts of war and terrorism.

Additional Insured

An endorsement may be added to an insurance policy to add an additional insured. This amends the policy to add someone else to Section II of the insurance policy, "Who is an Insured."

Change to Coverage

If you decide to change your coverage, an endorsement can be added to your insurance policy. An example would be an endorsement raising the amount of your deductible, the amount you are required to pay in the event of a claim.

Declarations Page

You can find a list of all the endorsements to your policy on the declarations page. Whenever an endorsement is added to your policy, the insurance company will send you a new declaration page explaining the endorsement.

References

• BusinessDictionary.com: Endorsement
• Nationwide.com: Understanding Your Insurance Policy
• IRMI.com: What Does an Additional Insured Endorsement Cover?

Resources

• Esurance.com: Auto Insurance Glossary
• Insureme.com: Declaration Page