Which form of CGL insurance has a coverage trigger based on when the event that caused a loss happened?

The occurrence form of Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance is designed to provide coverage for claims based on when the event that caused the loss took place. This means that if an incident occurs during the policy period, it will be covered regardless of when the claim is actually reported to the insurer. The key characteristic of the occurrence form is that it focuses on the timing of the incident, making it particularly advantageous for policyholders, as they do not need to worry about whether the claim is filed while the policy is in effect.

In contrast, claims-made forms require that the claim be made during the policy period for coverage to apply, irrespective of when the incident occurred. This can lead to gaps in coverage if a claim is made after the policy has expired, even if the event occurred while the policy was active.

The incident form and retroactive form are not standard types of coverage in CGL insurance. The incident form is not commonly recognized in the industry, and while retroactive coverage can be a feature of specific types of policies, it does not describe a primary coverage trigger based on the timing of an event causing a loss.

This distinction is crucial for understanding how different forms of liability insurance work and how they can impact the coverage provided to businesses.