Policy
What Is Retroactive Date?
On a claims-made policy such as professional liability, the retroactive date is the earliest date of work the policy will cover. Claims arising from services performed before the retroactive date are excluded, even if the claim is reported while the policy is active.
Keeping a consistent retroactive date matters when you switch insurers: if a new policy’s retroactive date is later than your old one, work done in between loses coverage. It works alongside tail coverage for past work after you stop practising. Our Ultimate Guide to Engineering Insurance in Ontario covers claims-made timing in depth.
Questions about Retroactive Date?
Our Ontario brokers can explain how it applies to your policy.
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Reviewed by Roughley Insurance Brokers Ltd. — licensed Ontario insurance brokers since 1945. Last updated June 21, 2026. ← Back to the glossary