Company directors' and officers' insurance

D&O insurance is a type of management liability insurance designed to support key leaders should they face allegations of wrongdoing while serving as a director or officer of a company. 

This includes claims such as: 

• Breaches of duty, care, and trust 
• Negligent acts, errors, misstatements, or omissions 
• Investigations such as health and safety failures and pollution 

It can help with: 

• The cost of defending company leaders from such allegations 
• Compensation you may be required to pay due to a claim 
• Legal representation at investigations

Get a quote for D&O insurance. Contact us on 0800 280 0351
Mon–Fri 9am–6pm.

Individuals in positions of leadership within a company may require D&O insurance. You could be the sole leader, or one of many. For example: 

• Directors 
• General Managers 
• Officers 
• Partners 

When weighing up your business’s needs, it may be useful to consider factors such as level of responsibility, likely claims, and organisational type. Even if you're not involved in every business decision, D&O can protect you and your personal assets from unexpected risks or mistakes. 

Level of responsibility 

Do you make the decisions about your firm’s procedures or financial statements? If so, claims may impact you. The more responsibility you have, the more likely you are to face legal or regulatory action. 

In some cases, you might be banned from leading a business in the future. Assets such as your savings, car, and house could even be at risk if you are found liable. 

Likely claims 

Do you answer to shareholders? If so, they could launch a claim if they believe your actions were careless. 

You might clear your name, but the inquiry could still affect your reputation. Our insurance can help with public relations costs. 

Organisation type 

D&O insurance is for businesses. It can suit a limited company or LLP. 

If you lead a charity, trustee liability insurance may be a better fit.

1. Tell us about your unique business 

Start by selecting your sector, from tech startups to retail chains. Then share a few details like your business name, annual turnover, and number of employees. We’ll use this to shape cover that fits your business, not just the industry. 

2. Tailor your insurance by choosing policies 

With Hiscox, you can build a policy that works for you. Choose the products that suit your business and skip the ones that don’t. You might adjust your policy due to several factors, such as: 

• The size of your company 
• What industry you are in 
• How complex your company’s operations are 
• The level of your directors’ and officers’ responsibilities 
• The expectations of your shareholders 
• Overseas trading 

3. Get your quote and documents 

Get a quote over the phone. Once you’re happy, buy your cover and we’ll email your documents straight away.

How much D&O insurance you may need depends on your business and role. Both affect the types of risk you could face. 

Company size also matters. In a big organisation, claims can come with more costs. If this sounds like your business, setting a higher limit of indemnity may be worth considering. 

A D&O insurance policy can cover you from £100,000 to £10 million. We’ll work with you to tailor D&O insurance to your needs.

Hiscox D&O insurance can help cover you if: 

• You face claims by investors or other shareholders, including directors. 
• You make a statement about a competitor that is incorrect, and they take action. 
• You face claims you breached your duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 or the Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Act 2007.

We will not cover any claim, loss, or investigation:  

• Arising out of any dishonest or fraudulent act by an insured person. This will only apply after a judgment or other final adjudication or an admission that such an act did occur. 
• Arising from any requirement to clean up any pollution. 
• Arising from any public offering of your securities, other than a failed public offering of your securities. 
• Following any acquisition, merger, or take-over. 
• Brought by any injured party for bodily injury or property damage (other than in relation to a breach of the Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Act 2007 or the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974). 
• Pension or employee benefit schemes. 

We will not make any payment on behalf of any insured person if that individual had knowledge of a material misstatement in or omission from the information provided to us upon which we agreed to provide this insurance. 

Please refer to the policy documents for the full details of inclusions and exclusions of this cover. You can also contact our customer service team for more information.

Mistakes can happen – no matter how carefully you plan. 

Business leaders carry extra responsibilities – to the company, employees, the public, investors, and regulators. For company directors, a claim could lead to expensive defence costs, disqualification, and even criminal prosecution. D&O insurance can help cover the costs. 

When you choose Hiscox, you benefit from:

• A versatile range of coverage options 
• Access to dedicated claims specialists 

But we're about more than just protection – we want to see your business flourish. That's why innovation and exceptional service is important to us, and why we've developed resources like the Hiscox Risk Academy for our customers.

We understand that the risks to your business are unique. If you want a quote for directors' and officers' insurance, please talk to one of our insurance specialists. 

You can contact us on: 

0800 280 0351

Mon-Fri 9am-6pm.