{
  "id": "clause-hours",
  "type": "clause",
  "languages": {
    "en": {
      "id": "clause-hours",
      "lang": "en",
      "type": "clause",
      "title": "Hours Clause",
      "shortDefinition": "In catastrophe reinsurance treaties, the hours clause defines the time window within which individual losses from a natural event may be aggregated into a single loss occurrence.",
      "synonyms": [
        "Event definition"
      ],
      "linesOfBusiness": [
        "Reinsurance",
        "Natural catastrophe"
      ],
      "jurisdictions": [
        "Global"
      ],
      "tags": [
        "Reinsurance",
        "Natural hazards"
      ],
      "relations": {
        "relatedTerms": [
          "term-treaty-reinsurance",
          "riskg-natural-hazards",
          "clause-reinstatement",
          "term-kumulklausel"
        ],
        "partOf": [],
        "appliesTo": [
          "term-cat-xl",
          "term-nichtproportionale-rueckversicherung"
        ],
        "regulatedBy": [],
        "relevantFor": [],
        "insurableVia": [],
        "mitigatedBy": [],
        "comprises": [],
        "alternativeTo": [],
        "complementedBy": []
      },
      "attribute": null,
      "profile": null,
      "coverageProfile": null,
      "clause": {
        "kind": "definition",
        "origin": "reinsurance-market",
        "favours": "insurer",
        "negotiability": "negotiable",
        "standardWordings": []
      },
      "legalBasis": [],
      "standards": [],
      "reviewStatus": "expert-reviewed",
      "reviewedBy": "Guido Hesse, Hesse Group Holding AG",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-09-04",
      "version": "0.3.0",
      "updated": "2026-09-03",
      "generated": {
        "by": "cursor-agent/claude-sonnet-5",
        "at": "2026-09-03T00:00:00.000Z"
      },
      "verified": [
        {
          "by": "human:ghesse",
          "at": "2026-09-04T00:00:00.000Z",
          "method": null
        }
      ],
      "staleAfter": null,
      "url": "https://hgh.ch/lexikon/en/knowledge/clause/hours-clause/",
      "alternateUrl": "https://hgh.ch/lexikon/de/wissen/klausel/stundenklausel/",
      "body": "## Purpose\n\nIn catastrophe reinsurance treaties, the hours clause defines the time window within which individual losses from a natural event may be aggregated into a single loss occurrence. Typical windows are 72 hours for windstorm, earthquake and terrorism, and 168 hours or more for flood and freeze. The cedent may choose the start of the window within the course of the event to optimise its recovery – for example in multi-day storm series.\n\n## Effect and limits\n\nWhether a storm series counts as one event or several determines retentions, limits and reinstatements under the treaty – and therefore millions in recoveries. After major natural catastrophes, event definition is regularly at the core of coverage disputes; the clause structurally limits the reinsurer's exposure.\n\n## Negotiation and practice\n\nThe window length per peril, the combinability of several perils (for example windstorm and flood) and geographic boundaries should be negotiated consistently with the portfolio's exposure. The interaction with the reinstatement clause should be considered during contract drafting."
    },
    "de": {
      "id": "clause-hours",
      "lang": "de",
      "type": "clause",
      "title": "Stundenklausel (Hours Clause)",
      "shortDefinition": "Die Stundenklausel definiert in Katastrophen-Rückversicherungsverträgen das Zeitfenster, innerhalb dessen Einzelschäden aus einem Naturereignis zu einem einzigen Schadenereignis zusammengefasst werden dürfen.",
      "synonyms": [
        "Hours Clause",
        "Ereignisdefinition"
      ],
      "linesOfBusiness": [
        "Rückversicherung",
        "Naturgefahren"
      ],
      "jurisdictions": [
        "Global"
      ],
      "tags": [
        "Rückversicherung",
        "Naturgefahren"
      ],
      "relations": {
        "relatedTerms": [
          "term-treaty-reinsurance",
          "riskg-natural-hazards",
          "clause-reinstatement",
          "term-kumulklausel"
        ],
        "partOf": [],
        "appliesTo": [
          "term-cat-xl",
          "term-nichtproportionale-rueckversicherung"
        ],
        "regulatedBy": [],
        "relevantFor": [],
        "insurableVia": [],
        "mitigatedBy": [],
        "comprises": [],
        "alternativeTo": [],
        "complementedBy": []
      },
      "attribute": null,
      "profile": null,
      "coverageProfile": null,
      "clause": {
        "kind": "definition",
        "origin": "reinsurance-market",
        "favours": "insurer",
        "negotiability": "negotiable",
        "standardWordings": []
      },
      "legalBasis": [],
      "standards": [],
      "reviewStatus": "expert-reviewed",
      "reviewedBy": "Guido Hesse, Hesse Group Holding AG",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-09-04",
      "version": "0.3.0",
      "updated": "2026-09-03",
      "generated": {
        "by": "cursor-agent/claude-sonnet-5",
        "at": "2026-09-03T00:00:00.000Z"
      },
      "verified": [
        {
          "by": "human:ghesse",
          "at": "2026-09-04T00:00:00.000Z",
          "method": null
        }
      ],
      "staleAfter": null,
      "url": "https://hgh.ch/lexikon/de/wissen/klausel/stundenklausel/",
      "alternateUrl": "https://hgh.ch/lexikon/en/knowledge/clause/hours-clause/",
      "body": "## Zweck\n\nDie Stundenklausel definiert in Katastrophen-Rückversicherungsverträgen das Zeitfenster, innerhalb dessen Einzelschäden aus einem Naturereignis zu einem einzigen Schadenereignis zusammengefasst werden dürfen. Typische Fenster sind 72 Stunden für Sturm, Erdbeben und Terror sowie 168 Stunden oder mehr für Überschwemmung und Frost. Der Zedent darf den Beginn des Fensters innerhalb des Ereignisverlaufs wählen, um seine Deckung zu optimieren – etwa bei mehrtägigen Sturmserien.\n\n## Wirkung und Grenzen\n\nOb eine Sturmserie als ein Ereignis oder als mehrere gilt, entscheidet über Selbstbehalte, Limiten und Wiederauffüllungen des Vertrags – und damit über Millionenbeträge. Nach grossen Naturkatastrophen ist die Ereignisabgrenzung regelmässig Kern von Deckungsstreitigkeiten; die Klausel begrenzt strukturell die Exponierung des Rückversicherers.\n\n## Verhandlung und Praxis\n\nLänge des Fensters je Gefahr, Kombinierbarkeit mehrerer Gefahren (etwa Sturm und Überschwemmung) und geografische Begrenzungen sollten konsistent zur Exponierung des Portefeuilles verhandelt werden. Das Zusammenspiel mit der Wiederauffüllungsklausel (Reinstatement) ist bei der Vertragsgestaltung zu beachten."
    }
  }
}