The dates your insurance coverage is active.
The policy period is the start and end date of your coverage, typically one year. Claims or events must fall within (or relate to) this period depending on whether your policy is claims-made or occurrence.
A policy period is the timeframe during which your insurance coverage is active, typically running for one year. Your policy will only respond to claims or events that occur during this period, though the exact timing rules depend on whether you have claims-made or occurrence coverage. The policy period is clearly listed on your declarations page.
If a claim falls outside your policy period, coverage generally won't apply unless you have extended reporting or tail coverage. For occurrence policies, the event must happen during the policy period. For claims-made policies, both the claim and the underlying incident may need to fall within specific dates, including your retroactive date.
Most commercial insurance policies run for a 12-month policy period, though some carriers offer 6-month terms or multi-year policies. The standard annual term aligns with business planning cycles and gives insurers regular opportunities to reassess risk and adjust premiums. Your policy period start and end dates are printed on your declarations page.
Definitions are educational and may be modified by your specific policy language, endorsements, and state rules. For regulatory guidance, refer to the California Department of Insurance or the NAIC.
Last updated: July 2026.