What is considered an occurrence in insurance?

Asked by: Mona Pouros  |  Last update: August 25, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (33 votes)

In insurance, an occurrence is defined as “an accident, including continuous or repeated exposure to substantially the same general harmful conditions.”

What is an example of occurrence in insurance?

Any accident or incident that can harm a person or their property may count as an occurrence. If a third party trips over a toolbox left sitting at your building site and injures themself, that's an occurrence.

What is considered an occurrence?

occurrence. noun. oc·​cur·​rence. : something that takes place. especially : an accident, event, or continuing condition that causes personal or property damage that is unintended or unexpected from the standpoint of an insured party making a claim.

What is per occurrence in insurance coverage?

Per occurrence limit is the maximum amount the insurer will pay for all claims resulting from a single occurrence, no matter how many people are injured, how much property is damaged, or how many different claimants may make claims.

What is the difference between an accident and an occurrence?

The term "occurrence" encompasses more than just an accident because accident is narrower in scope than occurrence. This can be seen in those cases decided before the occurrence wording was adopted. Accident, according to these cases, did not include coverage for damage occurring over time.

What is an Occurrence Insurance Policy?

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What is defined as an occurrence?

something that happens; event; incident: We were delayed by several unexpected occurrences.

What is an occurrence of an insured event?

In the insurance world, an “occurrence” refers to an event that causes property damage during a policy period. This can encompass a wide range of incidents, from natural disasters like fires, floods, and earthquakes to manufactured events such as theft, vandalism, or accidents.

What is better claims-made or occurrence?

In short, occurrence-based policies provide ample coverage as long as you keep renewing them. For this privilege, you'll generally pay more than you would for claims-made policies. With claims-made policies, the amount of coverage you purchase must last for as long as you keep your policy.

Is per accident and per occurrence the same thing?

Generally, per accident and per occurrence mean the same thing.

What is occurrence date in insurance?

The occurrence form covers losses that take place during a specific coverage period, regardless of when an incident is reported. For example, an electrician purchases a general liability policy on an occurrence basis. The policy is effective from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016.

What are the examples of occurrence?

Street-fights are an everyday occurrence in this area of the city. Death was an everyday occurrence during the Civil War. It's still not possible to accurately predict the occurrence of earthquakes. There have been several occurrences of theft in the area recently.

Which of the following would not be considered an occurrence?

Final answer: An intentional act by the insured resulting in harm would not be considered an "occurrence" under a CGL policy and is therefore not covered, as CGL policies generally exclude coverage for intentional harms.

What is considered a regular occurrence?

Regular events have equal amounts of time between them, so that they happen, for example, at the same time each day or each week.

What counts as an occurrence?

An occurrence is an unscheduled absence or late arrival (Not protected by FMLA, WC, etc.). For example, arriving 30 minutes late would count as an occurrence and calling in to use sick leave, vacation, or comp time for a day would be an occurrence.

How do I know if my insurance is claims-made or occurrence?

A claims-made policy only covers those that occur and are reported within the policy's timeframe, unless tail coverage is also purchased. An occurrence policy provides lifetime coverage for incidents that take place during a policy period, regardless of when the claim is reported.

What is the legal definition of occurrence?

occurrence n

: something that takes place. ;esp. : an accident, event, or continuing condition that causes personal or property damage that is unintended or unexpected from the standpoint of an insured party making a claim.

What is the insurance definition of an occurrence?

In insurance, an occurrence is defined as “an accident, including continuous or repeated exposure to substantially the same general harmful conditions.”

What is the occurrence of an accident?

An occurrence is an accident that results in damage to your property or yourself. It has to happen during your policy term (otherwise it won't be covered by your insurer), and can include continuous exposure to the same harmful condition. When an occurrence happens, it's on you to notify your insurer by filing a claim.

Can you switch from occurrence to claims made?

Claims-Made policies provide coverage for 'claims' only when BOTH the alleged incident AND the resulting 'claim' happen during the period the policy is in force! Switching from an "Occurrence" to a "Claims Made" form is the least perilous change.

What is the first thing an insurer must investigate before taking on a claim?

Insurance companies must search for and consider evidence that supports coverage for the claim. Thus, insurance companies cannot close their eyes to evidence that supports coverage and focus solely on the evidence that denies coverage. Too narrow a focus of investigation?

What is an example of an occurrence policy?

An occurrence policy protects you from any incident occurring while the policy is in force. The policy then covers those incidents forever. For example, you buy a policy in 2010, treat Client X in 2011, and terminate the policy in 2012. In 2015, Client X sues you for an incident that occurred in 2011.

What is an example of occurrence?

occurrence noun (HAPPENING)

something that happens: Street-fights are an everyday occurrence in this area of the city.

What is an example of per occurrence?

For example, say your policy's per-occurrence limit was $1 million and the aggregate limit was $2 million. Your company gets sued on two separate occasions in the same year, each time for $1 million. Because your per-occurrence limit is $1 million, both lawsuits will be covered.

What is the occurrence of an incident?

occurrence may apply to a happening without intent, volition, or plan. event usually implies an occurrence of some importance and frequently one having antecedent cause. incident suggests an occurrence of brief duration or secondary importance.