When the lawsuit names you personally.
Directors and officers coverage for private companies, startups, nonprofits and associations, with fiduciary and crime coverage when you need them.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
Protection for the people running it
Directors and officers can be sued personally over decisions they make for a company: by investors, lenders, competitors, customers or regulators. D&O coverage pays defense costs and settlements for those claims, and it's often what investors and board members ask about first.
Management liability packages can add employment practices, fiduciary liability for the people who oversee a retirement or benefit plan, and commercial crime for employee theft, forgery and funds-transfer fraud. I build the package around your company's size, funding and exposures.
- Directors and officersClaims over management decisions, including defense costs.
- Employment practicesHarassment, discrimination and wrongful termination claims.
- Fiduciary liabilityClaims about how a benefit or retirement plan is run.
- Commercial crimeEmployee theft, forgery and funds-transfer fraud.
What underwriters will ask
Having these ready means I can go to market on the first call. The quote form asks for the same things, and anything you don’t know yet can wait.
- Company: entity type, years in business and ownership.
- Financials: revenue, assets and any outside funding.
- People: employees and board members.
- Plans: any 401(k) or benefit plan you sponsor.
- Controls: how payments and wires are approved.
- History: current policies, claims and any pending lawsuits.
D&O insurance, answered
Do small private companies need D&O?
Many do. Directors and officers of private companies are sued by investors, lenders, customers and competitors, and defense costs alone can be significant.
Does general liability cover lawsuits against the board?
No. General liability covers injuries and property damage; claims about management decisions need D&O.
What is fiduciary liability?
Coverage for people who manage an employee benefit or retirement plan, if they're accused of mismanaging it. It's separate from the bond ERISA can require.
Does crime insurance cover wire fraud?
It can, if funds-transfer fraud or social engineering coverage is included. The wording matters, so I'll show you exactly what's covered.
Do you offer directors and officers insurance outside California?
Yes. Clients across the country send the same quote form. California policies are placed directly; outside California the request is handled together with a partner agency in your state, and the shopping across carriers works the same way. Rules, minimums and markets differ by state — see insurance requirements by state.
Tell me about your company. I'll shop it.
Your revenue, headcount and funding are enough to start.
Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, California License #4348151. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage; coverage depends on underwriting and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy actually issued.
Tell me how to reach you. I’ll take it from there.
Takes about 30 seconds. I review every request personally and call you back, usually the same day.
(424) 552-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
Get a reminder before your renewal.
Tell me when your policy renews and I’ll email you about six weeks before, when it’s worth comparing. One email, no calls.