Per claim limit (2024)

The difference between a per claim limit and an aggregate limit

If a per claim limit is the maximum paid out for each claim filed, an aggregate limit is the sum total amount that you could be paid by your insurance policy.

You might already be familiar with an aggregate limit if you’ve already got business insurance.

For example, if you buy a million-dollar insurance policy, that million dollars is your aggregate limit. It’s the maximum your insurer will pay for claims over the course of your policy period, generally a year.

Per claim limits cap the amount paid out for each claim you file while your policy is in effect.

Example of how per claim limits work

Imagine you’ve got a million dollar general liability insurance policy ($1,000,000 aggregate limit) with a $400,000 per claim limit. You end up filing three individual claims over the course of the year — your policy term.

  • Claim #1: You file a claim for $450,000. Because of the per claim limit, your insurer would only pay $400,000, leaving you owing $50,000, even though there’s still $600,000 available in your liability coverage.
  • Claim #2: The second claim costs $300,000, so your insurance provider would pay all $300,000 since it’s below your per claim limit. You have $300,000 remaining in your aggregate limit.
  • Claim #3: Your final claim costs $375,000. Even though this falls below your per claim limit, because you only have $300,000 left, you would need to pay the remaining $75,000.

Note: This doesn’t represent the total amount you would have to pay. In addition to exceeding your limits, you would still owe your monthly premiums and have to pay a deductible for every claim you file.

Why have a per claim limit?

Basically, both per claim limits (and aggregate limits) exist to keep insurance at reasonable costs. Typically, insurance coverage with higher limits are more expensive, so having a maximum payout limit gives business owners more choice with their coverage.

By offering per claim limits, insurance carriers can offer you insurance tailored to your needs. If you work in a low-risk field or have a limited budget, you can opt for a plan with lower limits and lower premiums. In the even something unexpected happens, you’ve got some help.

Buy say you work in a high-risk field or have a larger budget. You can increase your coverage limits to provide more protection against accidents.

Policy limits help protect insurance providers from large losses, allowing them to keep their premiums affordable and offer more choices to you. As a business owner, you must assess these limits and the cost of your policy and weigh that against your risks.

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Per claim limit (2024)

FAQs

What does per claim limit mean? ›

A per claim limits is the maximum amount of money your insurance company will pay out for a single claim. It's also known as a “per occurrence limit.”

What is the coverage claim limit? ›

A limit is the highest amount your insurer will pay for a claim that your insurance policy covers. Think of it this way: It's like filling up a fishbowl. If you file a covered claim, your insurance policy will pay up to a certain amount. You're responsible for any expenses that exceed the limit.

What does limit any one claim mean? ›

An any one claims limit – also known as a per-occurrence limit – reflects the maximum amount an insurer would pay out for an individual claim, like the aggregate limit.

How do you answer insurance claim questions? ›

Below are some best practices to consider:
  1. Contact a lawyer. ...
  2. Keep in mind that despite the friendliness of the person taking your statement, that person is not your friend. ...
  3. Ask specifically that your statement not be recorded. ...
  4. Give brief answers. ...
  5. Don't volunteer information. ...
  6. Answer only the question asked.

What is a claim limit? ›

The Per Claim Limit usually represents a per-policy cap, meaning that it is the maximum amount that the insurer will pay for any single claim, regardless of the total amount of loss or liability incurred.

What is the maximum claim amount? ›

A maximum claim amount (MCA) is the highest amount that the FHA will insure on a reverse mortgage. That means that, if your home is valued greater than this, then the amount above that limit will not be eligible for the HECM program.

What does limitation of claim mean? ›

Limitation of claim is

It is typically used to exclude previously published material, previously registered material, public domain material, and/or material that is not owned by the claimant named in the application.

What is an each and every claim limit? ›

Any One Claim (also referred to as 'Each and Every' claim), is a term that states the type of limit of indemnity provided under a professional indemnity policy. It means the number of claims which can be notified within the policy period is unlimited.

How many insurance claims is too many? ›

More than two or three claims in a given period may be enough for some companies to deny you coverage altogether, which means you may need to apply for coverage through your state's FAIR plan if you have more than two or three claims.

What is the difference between per claim and per occurrence limit? ›

Think of a per-occurrence policy as lifetime insurance. Per-claim insurance only protects your business if you file a claim while you have an active policy, and continue to have coverage after the fact. If you cancel your policy, you won't be covered for claims that occurred during the policy period.

What is the meaning of amount of claims? ›

What is a Claim Amount? The claim amount in insurance refers to the money that an insurance company pays to the policyholder or beneficiary when a valid claim is made. This amount is determined based on the terms and conditions of the insurance policy.

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