Basic Extended Reporting Period (BERP)

Basic Extended Reporting Period (BERP)

A basic extended reporting period (BERP) is a reporting period extension provided to claims-made liability policies. Basic extended reporting period (BERP) coverage is usually provided free-of-cost if the insurer is the party who decides not to let the policy renew, cancels the policy, or changes the type of liability policy type. The policy may be canceled or not renewed; it may be replaced with a different type of liability policy, such as an occurrence policy; or it may be replaced with a claims-made policy with a different retroactive date, which is more beneficial to the policyholder because it covers claims from a longer period of time. Basic extended reporting period (BERP) applies to claims made after the retroactive date, and after the policy has been canceled, non-renewed, or changed to a different type of liability policy. A short-term tail, generally lasting 30 to 60 days, is often provided automatically if the insurer cancels or non-renews your policy, though many insurers also offer a long-term tail at an additional cost.

Claims-made liability policies include basic extended reporting periods (BERPs) that allow policyholders to make claims after the retroactive date.

What Is a Basic Extended Reporting Period (BERP)?

A basic extended reporting period (BERP) is a reporting period extension provided to claims-made liability policies. Basic extended reporting period (BERP) applies to claims made after the retroactive date, and after the policy has been canceled, non-renewed, or changed to a different type of liability policy.

Claims-made liability policies include basic extended reporting periods (BERPs) that allow policyholders to make claims after the retroactive date.
BERPs can also cover after the policy has been canceled or not renewed.
BERPs cannot always be added by the insured, and, instead, is an option that can only be added by the insurer.
A short-term tail, generally lasting 30 to 60 days, is often provided automatically if the insurer cancels or non-renews your policy, though many insurers also offer a long-term tail at an additional cost.

How a Basic Extended Reporting Period (BERP) Works

Claims-made liability policies are insurance policies where any request for compensation against financial loss cannot be filed after coverage has ended. Extended reporting periods (ERPs) are employed to offer some breathing space. When these provisions are added to a contract, it allows the policyholder to continue to report claims to the insurance company, typically for a finite period of time, such as 60 days.

Important

A short-term tail, generally lasting 30 to 60 days, is often provided automatically if the insurer cancels or non-renews your policy.

Companies that purchase claims-made liability insurance policies may ultimately not continue to use the same policy for a number of reasons. The policy may be canceled or not renewed; it may be replaced with a different type of liability policy, such as an occurrence policy; or it may be replaced with a claims-made policy with a different retroactive date, which is more beneficial to the policyholder because it covers claims from a longer period of time.

In some cases, the basic extended reporting period (BERP) coverage is not an option that can be added by the insured, and, instead, is an option that can only be added by the insurer. The insurer will provide coverage over an extended reporting period (ERP) if the insurer is the party that cancels the policy or does not allow it to be renewed.

This is referred to as a one-way tail or unilateral extended provision. If, on the other hand, both the insurer and the insured have the option of adding basic extended reporting period (BERP) coverage, it is referred to as a two-way tail or bilateral extended provision.

Basic Extended Reporting Period (BERP) vs. Supplemental Extended Reporting Period (SERP)

Both short-term and long-term extended reporting periods may be included on a claims-made policy. A short-term tail is often provided automatically if the insurer cancels or non-renews your policy, and typically lasts for 30 or 60 days after your policy expires.

Many insurers also offer a long-term tail for an additional premium. This coverage is usually provided via an endorsement. A long-term tail goes by many names. Depending on the policy, it may be called a Supplemental ERP, Optional ERP, Discovery Period, or simply Extended Reporting Period. An optional ERP is generally provided only if you request it in writing and pay the premium within a specified time period, such as 60 days after the policy expires.

Basic extended reporting period (BERP) coverage is usually provided free-of-cost if the insurer is the party who decides not to let the policy renew, cancels the policy, or changes the type of liability policy type. A supplemental extended reporting period (SERP), meanwhile, may be offered by the insurer at the request of the insured and usually costs an additional premium.

Related terms:

Accounting

Accounting is the process of recording, summarizing, analyzing, and reporting financial transactions of a business to oversight agencies, regulators, and the IRS. read more

Bilateral Extended Reporting Period Provision

Bilateral Extended Reporting Period Provision is a reporting period extension provided to policyholders in claims-made liability insurance policies. read more

Claims-Made Policy

A claims-made policy is a type of insurance policy that provides coverage regardless of when a claim event took place. read more

Endorsement

An endorsement is an amendment to a document or contract, an authorizing signature, or a public declaration of support. read more

Insurance Premium

An insurance premium is the amount of money an individual or business pays for an insurance policy. read more

Insurance

Insurance is a contract (policy) in which an insurer indemnifies another against losses from specific contingencies and/or perils. read more

Insurance Claim

An insurance claim is a formal request by a policyholder to an insurance company for coverage or compensation for a covered loss or policy event. The insurance company validates the claim and, once approved, issues payment to the insured. read more

Liability

A liability is something a person or company owes, usually a sum of money. read more

Liability Insurance

Liability insurance provides the insured party with protection against claims resulting from injuries and damage to people and/or property. read more

Occurrence Policy

An occurrence policy covers claims made for injuries sustained during the life of an insurance policy, even if they're filed after the policy is canceled. read more