Prepaid Insurance

Definition: Premiums paid in advance

Scope:NarrowDifficulty:Very Easy

Premiums paid in advance

Common Journal Entries
AccountDebitCredit
1. Pay annual premium
Pay $6,000 for 12-month policy.
Prepaid InsuranceAsset+$6,000
CashAsset$6,000
Asset created; benefit will be consumed over 12 months.
2. Monthly adjusting entry
One month expires: $6,000 / 12 = $500.
Insurance ExpenseExpense+$500
Prepaid InsuranceAsset$500
Prepaid asset decreases as expense is recognized.

T-AccountsA visual representation of a ledger account shaped like the letter T. Left side shows debits, right side shows credits.

Prepaid InsurancePrepaid InsuranceAssetA resource owned by the business. Normal balance: debit. Debits increase, credits decrease.
DebitLeft side of a journal entry. Increases assets and expenses. Decreases liabilities, equity, and revenue.
$6,000.00
Normal bal.
CreditRight side of a journal entry. Increases liabilities, equity, and revenue. Decreases assets and expenses.
$500.00
$5,500.00
CashAsset account. Debits increase the balance. Credits decrease the balance.AssetA resource owned by the business. Normal balance: debit. Debits increase, credits decrease.
DebitLeft side of a journal entry. Increases assets and expenses. Decreases liabilities, equity, and revenue.
Normal bal.
CreditRight side of a journal entry. Increases liabilities, equity, and revenue. Decreases assets and expenses.
$6,000.00
$6,000.00
Insurance ExpenseInsurance ExpenseExpenseA cost incurred in the process of earning revenue. Normal balance: debit. Debits increase, credits decrease.
DebitLeft side of a journal entry. Increases assets and expenses. Decreases liabilities, equity, and revenue.
$500.00
Normal bal.
CreditRight side of a journal entry. Increases liabilities, equity, and revenue. Decreases assets and expenses.
$500.00
DurationShort-Term

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