More and more litigation is being brought against individuals within business senior leadership teams who make decisions on behalf of the business. During 2021 alone, the penalties passed to companies in the UK totalled almost half a billion pounds, shining a light on the very real requirement for companies to take out the right directors and officers (D & O) cover.
What is directors and officers insurance?
Sometimes known as management liability insurance, directors and officers insurance provides liability cover for the key decision makers in a business. Company managers are often required to make decisions as part of their roles, and these can trigger claims from anyone from fellow employees to customers.
Many directors assume that they are protected from personal liability when it comes to the choices and actions they make at work, but this is often not the case. Unfortunately, a company’s public liability insurance often excludes individual employees, leaving them open to personal claims.
Directors who find themselves facing allegations of wrongdoing can face legal proceedings, leaving their own finances and careers vulnerable. Directors and officers insurance can help to cover the costs of legal proceedings, compensation claims and representation if a senior employee faces allegations of wrongdoing. Most policies include cover for shareholders claiming for losses, criminal fraud investigations and many more scenarios if things go awry.
Remember, you don’t actually have to have done anything wrong to find yourself facing a claim and the cost of defending yourself, all it takes is for someone to allege that you have.
Directors and officers insurance claims can arise from a wide range of circumstances including:
- Mismanagement
- Negligence
- Unfair dismissal or discrimination
- Libel and slander
- Breach of duty
- Acting outside of authority
- Anti-competitive behaviour
- Regulatory investigations
- Even when managers act with the best of intentions, there are times when inadvertent wrongdoing can lead to compensation claims. Taking out directors and officers insurance can help to protect senior employees if they do find themselves facing allegations.
Choosing the right cover means they’ll have access to professional advice and representation as soon as a claim arises, and their personal assets will be protected if things progress.
If you are concerned about directors and officers insurance, or would like to discuss cover options, contact northampton@towergate.co.uk
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Towergate Insurance Brokers is a trading name of Advisory Insurance Brokers Limited. Registered in England No.4043759. Registered Address: 2 Minster Court, Mincing Lane, London EC3R 7PD. Registered in England No 4043759. Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
