Side A vs Side C D&O: What’s the Difference?

Side A is the individual-protection grant when corporate indemnification is unavailable. Side C, also called entity coverage, pays the organization for certain claims against it; the scope can be limited to securities claims or broader in a private-company form. Triple-I describes Side C around securities suits, while Chubb and Travelers specimens show that wording differs across forms. Ask whether the entity grant is included, which claims qualify, and whether entity payments compete with individual protection for one aggregate limit.

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.