Claims-made coverage
Liability form that covers claims reported during the policy period per policy terms.
Plain definition
Claims-made policies trigger when a claim is made against you and reported to the insurer during the active policy period, and often require the incident to occur after the retroactive date. Extended reporting endorsements (tail) can cover claims reported after expiration for prior acts.
Why it matters
Late-discovered professional errors need reporting discipline—miss the reporting window and coverage may never attach.
Example
An E&O policy requires notice as soon as you become aware of a circumstance that may become a claim. Delayed notice can forfeit coverage.
Common misunderstanding
Renewing claims-made is not automatic continuation of old acts—you must manage retro dates and tail when changing carriers.
Policy language always controls. This is educational content, not advice. See our disclaimer.