Also known as: Full Prior Acts · Prior Acts Coverage
Coverage for events that occurred before your current policy started but are claimed now.
Prior acts coverage protects you against claims filed during your current policy period for events that happened before the policy inception—back to the retroactive date. This is critical when switching carriers.
Prior acts coverage protects you against claims filed during your current policy period for incidents that occurred before the policy started, extending back to your retroactive date. This is essential for claims-made policies like professional liability and D&O, where there's often a gap between when work is performed and when a claim arises.
Yes, prior acts coverage is critical when changing insurance carriers. Without it, you'll only be covered for incidents occurring after your new policy's start date, leaving a coverage gap for all prior work. Always verify that your new policy includes full prior acts coverage back to your original retroactive date to avoid exposing your business.
Not always. Some insurers include full prior acts coverage automatically when you switch from another carrier, while others may exclude it, limit the lookback period, or charge additional premium. Startups switching carriers should explicitly confirm prior acts coverage during the quote process to ensure seamless protection for past work and decisions.
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.