What is a manifestation clause as it pertains to a general liability insurance policy?

Answer 1

A mOn anifestation clause on a full occurence policy completely changes and limits an insured's policy. Most insureds with a manifestation clause on their policy either do not know they have one, don't know what it is, or are looking for a cheaper policy not a quality policy.

a normal full occurence policy as long as the work was done during the insured's policy period a claim has up to 10 years to manifest itself and for claim to be filed. However when a manifestation clause is placed on a policy it limits this to the claim must manifest itself with the insured's policy period. If the claim manifests itself after the policy period the claim will not be covered. It basically turns a policy into a claims made policy except they can say its an occurence policy and they usually leave out the fact it has a manifestation clause.

Example:

Full occurence policy without manifestation clause- June of 2007 a plumber fixes a pipe in a residence. August 2007 their general liability policy expires. Sept 2007 the pipe leaks due to being welded wrong the home owner files claim against the plumbers insurance company and becaue they were covered when the work was done in June claim is paid out.

Policy with a manifestation clause- June of 2007 a plumber fixes pipe in residence. August their general liability policy expires. Sept 2007 the pipe leaks due to being welded wrong the home owner files claim against the plumbers insurance company and it is denied because of insured's *manifestation clause*. Although the work was done in June and the plumber had coverage at that time, the cause of claim did not manifest itself until Sept and their policy expired in August. If the pipe had leaked in August they "may* have paid claim.

***This is risky coverage! Think about if you did a job 1 day prior to the policy expiring.

-Insurance Underwriter