The Cost of D&O Insurance: Are You Paying Too Much?
What does D&O insurance cost and how do you know that you're paying a fair price for coverage? The answer lies in due diligence.
Directors and officers (D&O) liability is a complicated risk and it can be hard to determine if you’re getting the best value on the right coverage from your D&O insurance policy.
How much does D&O insurance cost, and how can you predict how much your company will have to pay for this coverage?
The key to buying the right policy for the right price is doing proper due diligence, carefully considering cost drivers, and finding the right broker who is transparent about the underwriting process.
Here are some key facts to think about when considering D&O insurance:
Know Your Average D&O Insurance Cost
The average annual cost of $1,000,000 worth of coverage typically falls between $5,000 and $10,000 for companies with revenue below $50 million a year. The price per $1M of D&O coverage further decreases as you purchase higher coverage limits.
The average D&O insurance cost a company pays mainly depends on the coverage offered. D&O insurance is not a commodity, meaning there are material differences in the D&O policies, which you can buy based on the cost of the D&O policy.
The end goal is to find the best coverage for the best price. That is where a good broker can come in; they will find the best coverage available, highlight the coverage differences between insurance carriers, and negotiate a price on your behalf.
In higher revenue brackets, D&O insurance costs vary in part due to risks associated with certain industries. Industries such as manufacturing, financial institutions, and biotech commonly pay more in premiums for higher coverage limits because of the inherent risks associated with these industries.
Average D&O Insurance Cost for Startups
Startups have a unique need for D&O coverage. For startups looking into D&O insurance (as well as EPLI and fiduciary liability insurance), here is a rough guidance on limits, retention, and expected cost when purchasing through our one-of-a-kind Embroker Startup package:
| Funding | Limits | Retention | Premium |
| $0 – 10M | $1 – 2M | $10 – 25k | $3.5 – 6k |
| $10 – 25M | $2 – 3M | $10 – 50k | $5 – 10k |
| $25 – 50M | $3 – 5M | $25 – 50k | $7.5 – 15k |
| $50 – 100M | $5 – 8M | $25 – 75k | $10 – 15k |
| $100 – 250M | $8 – 10M | $25 – 75k | $20 – 40k |
*Final premium will be determined based on individual account details and the underwriting process. These premium ranges are informational and directional only.
Understanding Directors & Officers Insurance
Until recently, many believed that directors & officers insurance was coverage only large corporations needed, but that has been proven untrue. You don’t have to be a giant, publicly traded entity to benefit from the protection that D&O insurance can offer your company.
In this increasingly litigious age we live in, small business executives need to be financially protected from possible claims filed against them as well. No matter how big or small your company is, your corporate leaders are integral to your success. It’s also undeniable that business owners and leaders are often held to a higher standard of conduct, which puts them at the center of attention and opens them to increased risks.
This is why most venture capital firms will insist that your company has a D&O policy before it agrees to provide you with funding. Because they won’t want to join the board of any company that isn‘t serious about protecting them financially.
What Does D&O Insurance Cover?
If your company is sued for wrongful termination or slander, for example, a directors & officers policy will make sure that your corporate leaders are not held personally liable for potential losses.
The cost of directors & officers insurance provides coverage and pays for claims in such instances to ensure that your leadership’s personal assets are protected. With D&O insurance, there are three clauses often included in the policy that provide coverage under particular parameters:
- Side A: Offers coverage for corporate leaders individually when the business is unable to or refuses to do so.
- Side B: Covers the company when the directors and officers are indemnified.
- Side C: Protects the company itself from securities claims and is usually needed by larger corporate entities.
A Directors & officers policy commonly provides protection for the following types of claims, among others:
- Discrimination: If a director or the company is sued by anyone, most commonly a former employee, for workplace discrimination of any kind (gender, pregnancy, age, religion, etc.).
- Wrongful acts: If the director or officer breached a legal obligation to the company, this can be considered a wrongful act. Immoral and illegal acts are often included in this category and commonly lead to civil cases against the corporate leader.
- Misuse of funds: Every move directors and officers make is scrutinized, which is why claims related to alleged mismanagement of company funds are so common.
- Employee mistreatment: Employee mistreatment claims can be anything from sexual harassment to wrongful termination or failure to promote.
Consider the Cost Drivers
Some directors and officers insurance cost drivers are industry-specific, while others depend on your company’s age, financial strength, or the number of employees. Let’s break down the most significant factors that could affect how much directors & officers insurance costs:
Length of Time In Business
Younger companies create more liabilities for insurance providers, thanks to less predictable revenue streams and shorter histories of proven effective management. While proof of a successful track record is ideal, underwriters will also consider recent significant changes affecting the business: mergers or acquisitions, shareholding agreements, and changes to the company’s financial strength.
Financial Background
Financial health, steady growth, and effective debt management will lower your premiums. The converse is also true—volatile cash flow is a red flag. A company with strong financials and operating in an industry with a positive economic outlook will have lower premiums.
Company Size
The most common factor in determining the price of D&O insurance is the size of the company. The size of a startup can be determined by annual revenue, the total amount of funding, the number of funding rounds, the number of paying customers, and many other factors.
If you need more help or information, you can reach out to our team of expert brokers.
Key Terms in Policy
Every insurance carrier writes its policies differently, so pay close attention to what’s in the fine print. Some but not all of these terms are negotiable – this is where a good broker can help you get the right coverage for the best price, highlight the coverage differences, and negotiate a great price on your behalf.
Risk Appetite
The price of D&O insurance may also depend on how willing you are to tolerate risk. Risk-averse businesses can elect a lower retention (the amount that must be paid by the insured before the insurance policy kicks in). This will cause the price to increase. Alternatively, a company more inclined to take on risk may select a higher retention, decreasing its premium.
Claims History
Any past claims will affect how the underwriter views your business. Typically, if you had no D&O claims 5 years prior and no litigation or regulatory action threatened against your company, you can expect lower premiums.
Consider Your Coverage
While many companies usually focus on how much their D&O insurance costs, any savings made by reducing the premium will be illusory if the policy doesn’t offer the right coverage. Most D&O policies are renewed yearly, and the terms and conditions can change. When considering adding or renewing coverage, be sure to consider the limits of your liability. Are they enough to cover your exposures?
Companies with a lot of exposures usually find that they need more advanced coverage. Basically, money spent on an insurance program with broad coverage offered by a quality carrier is always going to be a better solution for your company than a less expensive product with poor contractual terms from a poorly rated carrier.
Additionally, be aware of any exclusions in your policy; for instance, most D&O policies do not cover claims that arise misconduct or that you had previous knowledge of.
Do You Have the Right Insurance Broker?
Only an insurance professional who understands the nuances of your business can give you a quote on D&O insurance cost that will satisfy your needs.
Here are a few key factors and questions to consider before choosing your insurance broker:
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- How much do they know about D&O, and how well do they understand your industry and your business? A broker who has a poor understanding of your business will likely not deliver the right insurance, leaving you with gaps in coverage or inadequate coverage.
- Who are some of their current and former clients?
- How much coverage do you need, and how much can you afford with your revenue
- What are the specific risks of your industry? Are there any special considerations when choosing a policy
- Will your policy protect the entire company from litigation fees or just directors and officers?
Don’t hesitate to hire a second broker to handle your D&O insurance — the peace of mind and potential cost savings are well worth the extra work.
If you are involved with a venture-backed startup, you can get market-leading D&O insurance in less than 60 seconds through the Embroker Startup Program – click here to get an instant quote.
Quality D&O coverage, an appropriate D&O insurance cost, and a broker who can help you navigate the terms and conditions and the claims process can save you money and, more importantly, time, which is priceless.
With the Embroker Startup Program, coverage can be bound in less than 60 seconds and at stellar prices. It’s not just better than other options in the marketplace; it’s on an entirely different level.
If you need more help or information, you can reach out to our team of expert brokers.