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policy limit

A policy limit is the maximum amount of money that an insurer will pay under an insurance policy for covered losses, as specified for the relevant claim, person, item, or policy period.

In plain English

This is the payout cap written into the insurance policy. It sets the most the insurer will pay for losses the policy covers. The cap may be stated for a particular claim, person, item, or policy period, depending on the policy wording.

In context

Here, “policy limit” labels the amount that represents the highest payment the insurer will make under the policy for covered losses for the scope that entry covers.

Situation
Reading premium, deductible, excess, copay, limit, and out-of-pocket fields
What it communicates
labels an overall limit entry in the policy document

Meaning limits

The term by itself does not show whether that maximum applies to a claim, a person, an item, or a policy period in the specific policy.

Examples

“The flood damage came to $28,000, but the insurer paid only the $20,000 policy limit for that covered claim.”

Core meaning

“Each listed painting had a separate policy limit.”

In context