What is occurrence insurance terms?

Asked by: Miss Eulalia Hansen IV  |  Last update: November 2, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (65 votes)

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

What does $300,000 per occurrence mean?

Per-occurrence limits define how much a policy will pay for any one incident or claim. Aggregate limits define how much a policy will pay over the policy's duration.

Should I get claims-made or occurrence?

Occurrence will cover you for any claims occurring while the policy was active, and are reported while the policy is active or after the policy ends. Claims made will cover you for any claims occurring and are reported while the policy is active.

What is the difference between per occurrence and per claim?

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 difference between accident and occurrence in insurance?

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 an example of an 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. However, if the damage or injury is caused on purpose, your liability insurance won't cover you.

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.

What is the occurrence limit?

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 occurrence deductible?

A per occurrence deductible is like most auto or homeowners insurance you might be familiar with; you pay the $500, and that's the max you'll pay when something happens. But if your deductible is per claim, that means a separate deductible gets applied to every claim filed in a single occurrence.

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?

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 are the benefits of occurrence?

The most obvious benefit of an occurrence policy is that it offers long-term protection. As long as coverage is in place when the incident occurred, it's possible to make a claim on that period years into the future. Another advantage is that occurrence policy costs tend to be fixed.

What should you not say in a claim?

Some key phrases to avoid saying to an insurance adjuster include:
  • “I'm sorry.”
  • “It was all/partly my fault.”
  • “I did not see the other person/driver.”

Do I want claims made or occurrence insurance?

Claims-made coverage is portable. You can take the coverage from one insurance company to another. The advantage to an occurrence policy is its permanence. The period of time you are insured under an occurrence policy is protected forever by the policy you had that year.

What does $100000 per-occurrence mean?

Suppose your per-accident limit is $100,000. That means if you cause a car accident that injures three people, the most your bodily injury liability would pay for their combined expenses is $100,000 (and only up to the per-person limit for each person injured).

What is an example of a per-occurrence deductible?

Common examples of per-occurrence deductibles are auto insurance or homeowners' insurance deductibles. With these types of plans, you often have to pay a full deductible — such as $400 — every time you file a claim with your insurance company.

How is deductible waived?

In some cases, the deductible may be waived because the service is already free or at a low cost under your plan. This is often the case with preventive services. For example, an annual wellness visit may only cost you $20, but that $20 might not count toward your deductible.

Is deductible paid all at once?

For example, if you have a $1,500 deductible, you pay the first $1,500 of the services you need. Depending on your plan, you may also need to meet this in-network deductible before you pay for covered prescription drugs. This means you will pay the prescription's full cost upfront until the deductible is met.

What does occurrence amount mean?

Your insurance policy's per-occurrence limit is the maximum amount of money you'll get to cover a single incident. In comparison, your policy's aggregate limit is the highest amount of money the insurance company will pay you for all claims made during your policy period (usually one year).

What is an example of occurrence in insurance?

Examples of common occurrences insurance covers

As long as your home insurance is active, common occurrences like these are generally covered: A child falls off your porch and breaks their arm. A branch from your tree falls on your neighbor's car. A delivery driver slips on your icy walkway.

What is the trigger for occurrence coverage?

Under an occurrence trigger, the policy responds to claims based on when the alleged incident took place, regardless of when the claim is reported or when the lawsuit is filed.

What is a single occurrence?

Single Occurrence means all causes or events which occur within 96 consecutive hours of the first cause or event causing loss or damage, shall be considered as one occurrence.

What is an example 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.

What is the difference between occurrence and accident insurance?

Standard commercial general liability (CGL) insurance policies provide coverage for damages the policyholder is legally obligated to pay because of property damage or bodily injury caused by an “occurrence.” CGL policies typically define “occurrence” as an “accident.” Courts define an accident as “an unexpected ...

What is the term of occurrence?

occurrence, event, incident, episode, circumstance mean something that happens or takes place. occurrence may apply to a happening without intent, volition, or plan. an encounter that was a chance occurrence. event usually implies an occurrence of some importance and frequently one having antecedent cause.