D&O Insurance

Term from Insurance industry explained for recruiters

D&O Insurance (Directors and Officers Insurance) is a type of business insurance that protects company leaders when making management decisions. Think of it as a safety net that covers executives if they're sued for decisions they make while running the company. Insurance professionals work with this product to help protect businesses and their leadership teams from lawsuits related to management choices, financial reporting, or regulatory compliance. Similar types of coverage include Professional Liability Insurance or Errors & Omissions Insurance, but D&O specifically focuses on protecting company leadership.

Examples in Resumes

Managed a portfolio of D&O Insurance clients with total premiums exceeding $5M

Developed underwriting guidelines for Directors and Officers Insurance products

Led successful renewal negotiations for D&O coverage with Fortune 500 companies

Typical job title: "D&O Insurance Professionals"

Also try searching for:

D&O Underwriter Management Liability Underwriter D&O Claims Specialist Executive Risk Insurance Broker Management Liability Insurance Specialist D&O Product Manager Corporate Insurance Advisor

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you handle a complex D&O claim involving multiple parties and jurisdictions?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of claims management process, ability to coordinate with legal teams, understanding of different policy triggers, and experience in managing stakeholder expectations.

Q: What factors do you consider when pricing D&O coverage for a newly public company?

Expected Answer: Should discuss company financials, industry risk factors, management experience, corporate governance structure, and market conditions affecting IPO companies.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What are the key differences between Side A, Side B, and Side C coverage in D&O policies?

Expected Answer: Should explain that Side A covers directors directly when company can't indemnify, Side B reimburses the company for indemnifying directors, and Side C covers securities claims against the company itself.

Q: How do you evaluate a company's risk profile for D&O coverage?

Expected Answer: Should mention reviewing financial statements, corporate governance practices, industry trends, past claims history, and regulatory compliance record.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is the basic purpose of D&O insurance?

Expected Answer: Should explain that it protects company executives from personal financial loss due to their management decisions and actions on behalf of the company.

Q: What are common D&O claim scenarios?

Expected Answer: Should mention examples like shareholder lawsuits, regulatory investigations, misrepresentation claims, and employment-related issues.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic understanding of insurance policies
  • Policy documentation and processing
  • Client communication
  • Understanding of basic financial terms

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Risk assessment and evaluation
  • Policy renewal negotiations
  • Claims handling process
  • Understanding of corporate governance

Senior (5+ years)

  • Complex risk underwriting
  • Program structure design
  • Strategic client relationships
  • Market trend analysis

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No knowledge of basic insurance principles
  • Lack of understanding about corporate governance
  • Unable to explain different coverage types
  • No experience with policy documentation

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