Generally Accepted Accounting Principles Gaap

Type of accounting method, in life insurance, designed to match revenues and expenses of an insurer according to principles designed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the Audit Guide for Stock Life Insurance Companies published by the American Institute of CPAs. For example, under GAAP, acquisition expenses (costs of placing insurance on a company's books such as administrative expenses and agent commissions) are recognized in the same proportion that premium income is recognized over the premium paying period, with losses subtracted from premium and investment income as they occur.