SLIDE 3 3
7
UNIQUE RISKS
Commonly excluded –
- Earthquake
- Flood
- Pollution
- Terrorism
- Foundations, Underground Pipes
- Boiler & Machinery
Vacancy Clauses – can restrict coverage based on occupancy of building Cyber Related Losses – fastest growing crime worldwide Business Income/Loss of Rent – i.e. HOW YOU GET PAID!!
- Majority of policies “cap” this limit and pay period
- Difficult to calculate in changing market
- Extra Expense
What limits should I carry???
- Lender required
- Benchmarks
8
THE NEED FOR D& O
Given the broad nature of most state indemnification statutes, the vast majority of D&O Claims are indemnifiable by the
- Corporation. This being said, there are certainly situations where indemnification is not adequate and personal assets
are at risk. Historically, the primary areas in which indemnification has been deemed inadequate to provide sufficient protection are as follows:
- 1. Shareholder Derivative Suits
- ability to indemnify such claims is severely limited by most states and is intended to avoid the
circularity of funding which would otherwise occur
- 2. Violations of Securities Laws
- claims brought under the registration and anti-fraud provisions of federal securities laws are non-
indemnifiable, SEC’s long-standing view is that such indemnification is against public policy and unenforceable
- 3. Standards of Conduct
- state statutes require D&Os to have acted in good faith and in the best interest of the Corporation
- determination of conduct may be made by disinterested members of the board, special counsel,
shareholders or by a Court of Law
- 4. Financial Constraints
- unable to fund indemnification due to insolvency or cash flow constraints.
There is a definite need for Directors and Officers Liability Insurance Protection, the purpose of which includes:
- Filling the gaps in corporate indemnification
- Funding defense costs
- Funding negotiated settlements or judgments
9
D& O INSURANCE CONTRACT RESPONSE
The D&O contract typically applies on an “all risk” basis to claims made within the policy period for “wrongful acts” commonly defined as: “any breach of duty, neglect, error, misstatement, misleading statement, omission or act by the directors or officers of the Company in their respective capacities as such, or any matter claimed against them solely by reason of their status as directors or officers of the Company…” As is common with most insurance policies, certain exclusions do apply. Due to the all risk basis of this contract, thorough examination of policy exclusions is of the highest priority. The following are those exclusions, organized by category, common to D&O policies. Exclusions Based Upon Pre-existing Wrongful Acts
- Known wrongful acts
- Pending and/or prior litigation
- Existing wrongful acts reported elsewhere
Exclusions Based Upon Public Policy
- Fraud, dishonesty and criminal acts (“in fact” versus “final adjudication”)
- Personal profit or illegal remuneration
- Punitive damages (most favorable jurisdiction)
Exclusions Based Upon Insurance Available Elsewhere
- Bodily injury / property damage
- Pollution
- General Partnership Liability
- Professional Errors and Omission
Exclusions Based Upon Known Problematic Areas
- Failure to maintain insurance
- Securities claims (roadshow coverage)
Exclusions Based Upon Policy Intent
- Acts outside the Insured Person’s capacity as a director or officer
- Insured versus Insured
- Outside Directorship Liability