Directors and officers (D&O) liability insurance enables board members to make decisions without fear that they will be personally responsible for any related litigation costs. Such coverage is common in the business world, but few non-profits carry it. Non-profits may assume that their charitable mission and the good intentions of volunteer board members protect them from litigation. These assumptions can be wrong.

Asked & answered

Here are several FAQs to help you determine whether your board needs D&O insurance:

Whom does it cover? A policy can help protect both your organization and its key individuals: directors, officers, employees, and even volunteers and committee members.

What does it cover? Normally, D&O insurance covers allegations of wrongful acts, errors, misleading statements, neglect, or breaches of duty connected with a person’s performance of duties. Examples include:

• Mismanagement of funds or investments
• Employment issues such as harassment and discrimination
• Self-dealing
• Failure to provide services
• Failure to fulfill fiduciary duties

Are there coverage limitations? D&O policies are claims-made, meaning that the insurer pays for claims filed during the policy period even if the alleged wrongful act occurred outside of the policy period. The flip side of this is that D&O insurance provides no coverage for lawsuits filed after a policyholder cancels — even if the alleged act happened when the policy was still in place.

What if we need to make a claim after our policy has been canceled or expired? You might still be covered if you bought extended reporting period coverage. It generally covers newly-filed claims on actions that allegedly occurred during the regular policy period.

How do we file a claim? When a legal complaint is filed against your non-profit, contact your insurer to determine whether the matter is insurable and includes defense costs. Most policies reimburse the insured for reasonable defense costs, in addition to covering judgments against the insured.

How can we keep costs down? Think seriously about the people and actions that should be covered and the amount of protection you need and do not need. For example, you probably do not need coverage of bodily injury or property damage because these claims usually are covered by general liability and workers’ compensation insurance. As with most insurance coverage, D&O premiums are likely to be lower if you opt for higher deductibles.

Making the decision

Not every organization needs D&O insurance. In some states, volunteer immunity statutes provide limited protection for negligence. Such protection, however, does not extend to federal statutes. If you are unsure, contact us.