Pre-launch coverage is satellite insurance for risks arising before a spacecraft enters operational service. Depending on the policy, it may cover the satellite during preparation, transport, launch, and early deployment, when a single failure can prevent the mission from beginning.
This coverage matters because launch and deployment expose a satellite to risks distinct from those it faces once operational in orbit. Policies define when pre-launch protection starts and ends, which events are covered, and how a loss is assessed. In practice, insurers and operators rely on contract wording and technical evidence to determine whether damage or failure during launch or early deployment qualifies. Clear boundaries between pre-launch and operational coverage help establish which policy applies when a spacecraft reaches orbit but has not yet entered service.