premium revenue recognition

Revenue1

1. 605-944Financial Services—Insurance605 Revenue Recognition

   ASC 944-605 governs when and how insurance entities recognize premium revenue, split into short-duration, long-duration, reinsurance, and financial guarantee subsections. Short-duration premiums are earned over the contract (or risk) period in proportion to insurance protection provided; long-duration premiums are recognized when due from policyholders; universal life-type contract revenue is limited to amounts assessed against policyholders, with front-end fees deferred as unearned revenue. Reinsurance sections address prepaid reinsurance premiums, deferral and amortization of retroactive reinsurance gains, and the open year versus periodic method for foreign reinsurance.