Directors And Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance

What is a Directors & Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance?

Why is a Directors & Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance important, especially in India?

Experiences from the past - Case Studies

• Regulatory Investigations
• Accounting Irregularities
• Exposures related to Mergers & Acquisitions
• Right to Defend
• Coverage for Subsidiaries
• Vulnerability to Shareholder/Stakeholder claims
• Wrongful Termination

• Discrimination Allegations
• Outside Directorship
• Coverage for Retired Directors
• Employment Practice Liability Cover
• Cover for Negligence
• Costs of Bail-bond, prosecution
• Damage to Reputation
• Coverage for Heirs expenses

• Emergency Expense Coverage
• Severability Coverage
• Special Excess for non-executive Directors
• Management Liability
• Management Indemnification
• Non-profit outside Directorship Liability
• Spouse Liability Extension
• Harassment

Employees

• Wrongful Termination
• Breach of employment contract (not termination)
• Harassment/humiliation
• Discrimination
• Defamation
• Employment conditions/safety
• Other employee issues

Shareholders/Investors

• Inadequate or inaccurate disclosures.
• Financial reporting
• Financial performance
• Executive Compensation
• Use of Insider information

Competition

• Anti-trust
• Deceptive Trade practices
• Business interference
• Copyright/patent infringement
• Contract dispute

Customers

• Dishonesty/Fraud
• Contract disputes
• Cost/quality of Product/service
• Deceptive trade practices.

Government & Regulatory Agencies

• Dishonesty/Fraud
• Anti – Trust
• Tax Related Issues

• What is a Directors & Officers Liability Insurance Policy?
  D&O policy covers the legal liabilities of Directors and Officers of a Company, it protects the personal assets of a company’s directors and officers, as well as that of the company itself.
  
  This policy pays not only for the legal defence costs, settlements and awards when defending directors and officers, when they are actively participating in the day to day affairs of the company, but also, in cases where they have retired and a subsequent claim is made against their decisions or actions when they were in office, during the existence of the policy.
  
  D&O Liability Insurance provides a financial protection for the organization in the event of a claim against their directors, officers and key employees for an alleged wrongful act in a managerial or supervisory role.
  
  This policy offers security in case of:
  — Any alleged or actual error
  — Omission
  — Misstatement
  — Breach of duty, or
  — Misleading statements to name a few.
  
  This policy, extends to cover not just the Directors and Officers, but also their spouse, domestic partner (including same sex relationship, if applicable).
  
  In cases where the insured individual has deceased, become insolvent or bankrupt estate, the policy covers the legal representatives, heirs or executors.
• Why is a D&O Insurance necessary, is it compulsory?
  While it is not compulsory, it certainly is necessary in today’s fast evolving and dynamic business front.
  
  The pace at which businesses are growing and thriving today, places immense pressure upon managers and officers to take bold decisions on a daily basis.
  
  With increasing regular transactions with customers, vendors, market players, financial advisors, to name a few, the exposure to risk increases many folds, thus creating vulnerabilities.
  
  In the wake of legal scrutiny, which unfolded a number of cases of bank fraud and other discrepancies against companies and their Directors, has sent a shockwave through the business fraternity.
  
  The enforcement agencies have become more vigilant and the Courts stricter.
  
  Did you know? That you can be held responsible for the acts of another Director in your company. Yes, under some legislations, if you are, or were a part of Company and a claim is established against the company, in such circumstances, you could be held personally liable for the actions of another Director.
  
  One such example is the Income Tax Laws, if it is established that, tax is due for any previous years, and it is not possible for recovery from the private company itself for any reason. Then, every person who was a Director of such private company shall be jointly and severally liable to payment of the due Tax.
• What is covered under a D&O Insurance Policy?
  The duties of Directors and officers are wide; therefore, this policy also provides a thorough protection towards a host of claims, some of the specific covers are mentioned briefly.
  
  Management Liability – Under this cover, the insurer shall pay for the losses incurred by a director or officer of a company against legal liabilities and statutory obligations.
  
  Company Securities – Securities claims arise when the Directors and Officers of a company are alleged to be in violation of any law or rules regulating securities or pertaining to the sale, offer, purchase or solicitation of any securities. Such liabilities are covered under this policy.
  
  Investigations – This policy shall cover any expenses borne by the Directors or Officers arising from an investigation. This investigation could be ordered by the Court, or investigative scrutiny, by ED or CBI, upon receiving a complaint from any relevant 3rd party, associated to the company or otherwise.
  
  Non-Executive Directors Protection – Well, there is a key distinction between an Executive Director and a Non-Executive Director, according to the Companies Act, an Executive Director is one who is gainfully employed by a business, he is not only recognised as a Director, but also is involved in the day – to – day business of the company. On the other hand, non – Executive Directors are usually retained on an annual basis with a retainership fee, they aren’t particularly involved with the day – to – day affairs of the company, but have been on-boarded to guide the company, in the right direction. Under this Policy, even the Non-Executive Directors are covered, against claims.
  
  Assets and Liberty – The insurer in cases where required under proceedings in a Court of Law, shall establish Bail Bond, Prosecution Costs and other expenses incurred during the legal proceedings.
  
  Public Relations Expenses – D&O policy also covers the costs incurred by the insured directors and officers in establishing and restructuring their public relations, in the case of a claim raised against the.
• What is meant by personal liability? Can there be Criminal Liabilities too arising from conduct as a Director or Officer in a company?
  It should first be cleared that a Company and its directors are separate entities, Directors, do not have any liability on behalf of the company. However, under some circumstances they could be held personally liable on behalf of the company, if there is aa breach of fiduciary duty or instance of fraud.
  
  Liability for Tax – Under the Income Tax Act, 1961 – A director (including any past Director, but only for the duration when he was in office) can, however, escape from liability if he or she proves that non-recovery of such tax cannot be attributed to any gross neglect, misfeasance or breach of duty on his or her part in relation to the affairs of such private company.
  
  Debts of the company – Debts of the company: Generally, a Director is not personally liable for any debt of the company unless fraud on the part of such director can be established.
  
  Fraudulent Conduct of Business – Without any limitation of liability.
  
  Criminal Liability
  •  Dishonoured Cheques – Negotiable Instruments Act
  •  Misstatements in the Prospectus – Companies Act
  •  Offences under the Income Tax Act – Income Tax Act
  •  Labour Law Offences
• It must primarily be important for large companies only
  It is a common misconception amongst companies, that D&O liability policies are meant for large companies, where the stakes associated with transactions and tasks are much higher.
  
  On the contrary, a plain reading of the Companies Act, forces us to ponder over the penalties enlisted therein, which does not take into factor the size of a company.
  
  The 2013 Act, was specifically brought into effect for solving dual purposes
  •  To tighten the loop holes in the previous act, for better transparency and regulation of Companies in India.
  •  To reinstate, investor confidence in the Indian Business Eco-system, for inflow of cash into the economy.
  
  This was systematically achieved, by increasing the powers of the enforcement agencies and increasing the penalties upon the companies, forcing them to comply with the regulations more strictly.
  
  If we take a closer look at the way, Companies Act, 2013 is drafted, we observe that the scope of forgoing penalties has been taken away from the National Tribunals and Courts of the Country, by inserting, minimum penalty clauses, which run in lakhs.
  
  Hence the notion, that it is meant for only large businesses is fundamentally flawed, because if you are a young company, with limited employees, starting-up the risk for you is much higher to be affected from such liabilities, as any penalty, may disturb the entire financial balance sheet of a company, and more importantly destroy the reputation of such company in the market, making it all the more difficult for one to survive.
• Even if it’s important for a small company to purchase it, the claims must be small?
  A director's personal liability is unlimited placing all his personal assets at risk. Unlike the Company, he cannot take shelter under limited liability. Directors are jointly and severally liable.
  
  Directors are liable personally to pay losses suffered by the Company following an act which is wrong, negligent, outside the Company's authority, beyond their power, or which evidences insufficient skill and care in managing the Company’s affairs.
  
  The claims are dependent upon the alleged offence, or liability, practices in the past have shown that, investors, require their portfolio company directors to compulsorily have D&O policies, before investments are transferred to their accounts.
  
  The rationality behind this flows from the fact, that the possibilities of things going wrong after investments are much higher, hence it is always advised to have a D&O policy, it further helps in gaining investor confidence.
• But, I am not taking any remuneration from the associated company, I am merely volunteering, I must not require this kind of policy.
  You are personally exposed to risk. People generally do not understand the risks as they become a new director.
  
  The risks involved with the position are far greater. With multiple transactions and dealings on a regular basis, the magnitude of exposure to claims increases significantly.
  
  As mentioned earlier, directors and officers can be held personally liable for a host of claims, under various legislations.
  
  You may not be personally involved in disputed transactions; however, the nature of alleged offences determines the liability you may face.
  
  Therefore, it is always advised to have a D&O policy to protect you from unwanted claims, and personal liability, for circumstances beyond your control.
• Two elements to never skip while considering a D&O Policy.
  One part which covers the liabilities of the Directors and Officers.
  
  The other part which covers the legal entity itself, i.e. the company.
  
  Typically, insurance companies have to be specifically told that both coverages are required.
• These policies seem daunting to purchase, are they expensive?
  This cost is split across the employees, bringing the cost down significantly. Under a D&O policy, the company as a whole, purchases this policy, which splits the premium sum amongst all the directors and officers, thus bringing the cost down.
  
  The Premiums, depend on factors like size, industry etc.
• Why would Directors risk their personal wealth for such small premiums and protection?
  Directors don't really understand the risks they are taking when take up the position as a Director or Officer
• If this insurance is so important, considering the liabilities associated with it, then why aren’t people purchasing it?
  This is a difficult question, because even though the dynamics of business today warrant the taking up of this policy, premiums being low and the advantages significantly high.
  
  It's more likely that the guidance to new businesses is incomplete, rather than focusing on protecting the future of the company, individuals are misleading new directors into just building profits and not concentrating on other possible adverse outcomes.
  
  A glaring example of this new age trend could be the rise and fall of a popular YouTube channel, which quickly gained popularity for its quirky videos online, however was shrouded with cases of sexual harassment and other discriminatory practices, which ultimately led to the downfall of the entire start-up.
  
  This goes on to show the importance of a D&O policy, which would have otherwise helped the start-up in not just defending themselves in the court but also salvaging their position in subsequent PR aftermath.