What date on the PAP's declarations page indicates when the policy begins?

The date that indicates when the policy begins on the Personal Auto Policy (PAP) declaration page is the inception date. This date marks the start of coverage provided by the policy. It's essential for policyholders to know the inception date, as it establishes the period during which any claims must occur to be covered under the terms of the policy.

Understanding the inception date is crucial because it helps in managing expectations regarding when coverage takes effect. While the expiration date indicates when the policy will end, and the renewal date signifies when a policy can be continued for another term, the inception date is specifically tied to the initiation of the coverage itself. The effective date is sometimes considered synonymous with the inception date, but in many contexts, it may refer to when certain coverage provisions come into play, making the inception date the more precise term for when the policy officially begins.