Directors and Officers liability is a comprehensive policy comprised of Side A, Side B, and Side C. Side A protects the directors and officers only. Here, takes the claims against directors into consideration when the company is unable to pay because of bankruptcy or legal provisions. On the other hand, Side B and C requires to protect the company against its own liability. Or its indemnification of its directors and officers. So, what is Side A coverage for directors’ and officers’ liability?
Side A coverage is an inevitable component of Directors and Officers Liability Insurance. The sole aim of Side A is to safeguard individual directors against legal claims which are not indemnified by the organization. It is an extensive coverage that provides strong support at the time of financial crisis in the company. It acts as a risk bearer and provides a financial shield to directors and top management to protect their personal assets. Side A coverage is vital for Directors as it provides a helping hand at the time of contingencies.
Read About: Who is covered by Directors & Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance Policy?
Typical D&O Liability policy
In a typical D&O Liability policy, all three sides are present but directors and Officers do not get much priority at the time of claims because Side B and Side C ensure the protection of the company first, and also the amount gets divisible under various heads so directors and Officers do not get sufficient financial protection. In order to avail an adequate coverage for Directors and Officers, can use Standalone Side A policy or Excess cover.
Standalone Side A policy means a separate policy specifically purchased for Directors and Officers. It provides optimum coverage against litigation that occurred due to negligence, omission, or wrongful act.
An excess cover is an addition to a typical Directors and Officers policy, it provides an additional sum of amount and covers defense cost for all the probable risks when the company can not indemnify directors and Officers. Excess cover compliments the typical policy and provides ample coverage for the top management
Case Study:
A corporation is in bankruptcy and convicted directors of sharing confidential information of shareholders. And manipulating the balance sheet by maintaining fake shareholders’ accounts. The company has typical Directors and Officers Liability with Side A, B, and C coverage. In this case, the corporation will use the D&O policy as an asset of the company and use it to pay its own liabilities and litigation costs. Directors and Officers get minimal or no support from this policy.
In this, Director’s personal assets are in danger, and personally liable to cover the cost of litigation and settlement amount. So it is always suggested to ascertain how many shares the directors and Officers possess in a typical D&O policy. If the share is not enough, it is advisable to purchase an excess cover. Or buy a standalone policy of Side A Directors and Liability insurance policy. Because the company treats the typical D&O policy as its asset and uses it in the best interest of the estate.
Keep Reading: How directors and officers liability insurance can help you through distressed times
Needs Side A Directors and Officers Liability, helping in the restoration of financial stability after losses. Selecting an optimum coverage of Side A Directors and Officers policy is a complicated financial decision. An effective way to select an optimum coverage is to navigate through the myriad factors. Such as financial aspects of available plans, risk management portfolio, exclusions in the available plan, etc.
It primarily protects Directors and Officers when the company is not able to provide legal and financial protection against non-indemnifiable claims. Side A coverage lives up to the expectations of Directors and Officers as it fosters risk protection, financial planning, and wealth management.
About The Author
Rajesh
MBA Finance
With a wealth of expertise in the insurance realm, Rajesh is a distinguished writer specializing in articles focusing on directors and officers insurance for SecureNow. Boasting 9 years of experience in the industry, he profoundly understands the complexities surrounding directors and officers liability coverage. Their articles delve into the intricacies of D&O insurance, providing readers with invaluable insights into risk mitigation strategies and policy considerations. Renowned for their comprehensive knowledge and attention to detail, Rajesh is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging content that empowers individuals and businesses to navigate the complexities of insurance with confidence.
