noun
occurrence form
In plain English
A policy form where coverage is triggered by when the act happened, regardless of when the claim is filed.
If you had occurrence-form GL in 2023 and someone sues you in 2027 for something that happened in 2023, the 2023 policy responds — even if you've changed carriers since. Standard for GL; the better choice when available.
What it covers
Bodily injury or property damage that occurs during the policy period, regardless of when the claim is reported. The policy in force when the loss happened is the one that responds.
What it does not cover
It is NOT claims-made. Occurrence is forgiving — you don't need continuous coverage for prior work to stay covered.
Where it trips people up
Latent injury claims (asbestos, mold, environmental) can trigger a long-extinct policy decades later. Insurers have spent thirty years arguing about which year's occurrence-form policy actually responds.
The technical version
An insurance policy form under which coverage applies to bodily injury or property damage occurring during the policy period, regardless of when the claim is reported.