Grace Period

In insurance law, a period beyond the due date of a premium (usually thirty or thirty-one days) during which the insurance is continued in force and during which the payment may be made to keep the policy in good standing. The grace period for payment of the premium does not provide free insurance or operate to continue the policy in force after it expires by agreement of the parties. Grace period may also refer to a period of time provided for in a loan agreement during which default will not occur even though a payment is overdue.

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grace period n. a time stated in a contract in which a late payment or performance may be made without penalty. Often after the grace period ends without payment or performance by the person who is supposed to pay the contract is suspended. Example: if you don't pay your insurance payment (premium) by the stated deadline, you usually have a few days extra to pay before the absolute deadline. If you don't pay by then, the insurance company cancels your contract, i.e. your insurance.