What does "earned premium" represent at the end of a policy period?

Earned premium represents the portion of the premium that corresponds to the coverage that has been actually provided to the insured during the policy period. As time passes and the insurance coverage is in effect, the insurer earns premium as a reflection of the risk taken on.

For instance, if a policyholder pays for a one-year insurance policy, the insurer earns that premium gradually over the year as the coverage is utilized. If the policy is canceled partway through the year, the insurer will have earned only the portion of the premium equivalent to the time the coverage was effective, not the entire premium amount initially collected.

This concept is crucial for understanding how insurance companies manage their finances and determine profitability, as it directly impacts their income statements and reserve calculations.