Side A vs Side C D&O: What’s the Difference?
Side A protects leaders when the company cannot indemnify them; Side C covers the company for defined claims.
Side A protects an insured individual when the organization cannot indemnify; Side C insures the organization itself for claims described in its grant.
Side C may be limited to securities claims or may use broader private-company wording, so the same label does not establish equivalent scope. The grants may share an aggregate, leaving less for individuals if the entity uses limits first. Review the entity-claim definition, covered defendants, Side A limit and priority clause, and any allocation provision for mixed claims. Check whether the quote includes both grants and any separate Side A-only limit or endorsement.
Coverage Guides Related to D&O Insurance
Sources for This Answer
- The Chubb Primary Directors & Officers and Entity Securities Liability Insurance. Chubb Group of Insurance Companies; hosted by eperils; I.A–C p.1; I.C p.1; I and III.A–B pp.1–2; VI Reporting pp.3–4; XVII Spouses, Domestic Partners, Estates and Legal Representatives; XX Bankruptcy; form version 14-02-18480 (06/2012). Accessed 2026-09-25.
- Private Company Directors and Officers Liability Coverage. Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America; I.A–C p.1; III.A–E pp.1–2; III.J–M pp.2–3; IV Exclusions pp.3–4; VI Defense and Settlement pp.6–7; form version PDO-3001 Ed. 01-09. Accessed 2026-09-25.
- Directors and Officers insurance. Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I); What D&O covers; What’s excluded?; The added value of protecting company leaders. Accessed 2026-09-25.