ACE Bermuda International (ABI) today launched a Corporate Officers &
Directors Assurance (CODA) executive liability insurance policy in the
Netherlands. The CODA policy form has been protecting the personal
assets of directors and officers (D&O) since its introduction in 1986.
CODA provides premier insurance cover for executive risks when a company
fails or is otherwise unable to protect that individual. ABI launched
CODA in the UK in November 2006 and the demand for CODA and similar
products continues to grow dramatically amongst the boards and senior
executives of FTSE 350 companies.
The Netherlands has knowledgeable D&O insurance purchasers who recognise
the need for specialised protection for directors and officers who are
increasingly exposed to allegations of mismanagement and claims for
breaches of the Dutch Civil Code. Consequently, ACE Bermuda
International is now offering CODA coverage to directors and officers of
Dutch companies with a particular focus on the AMX and AEX index
companies.
Key features of the CODA policy include: primary or excess coverage that
provides extremely broad personal asset protection (Side A coverage)
compared to traditional D&O policies; dedicated limits of liability of
up to €25m for directors and officers that cannot be eroded by claims
against the company; and difference-in-conditions "drop down” coverage
in the event that either an underlying insurer is unable or is unwilling
to pay a covered claim or where an underlying insurer’s policy is more
restrictive than the CODA cover.
Commenting on the launch of CODA in the Netherlands, Anup Seth, Managing
Director, ACE Bermuda International,
said: "There is a
significant need for CODA in the Netherlands as we believe that
directors and officers of Dutch companies are challenged with increasing
regulatory and litigation risks. This launch demonstrates ACE Bermuda
International’s ongoing commitment to innovation, thought leadership and
the provision of coverage that reflects current challenges and client
needs in the Netherlands.”
"We are delighted to extend our tested and proven CODA benefits to
directors and officers of Dutch companies in this milestone year as we
celebrate CODA’s 25th anniversary” said David Gutteridge, Professional
Lines Manager for ACE Bermuda International. All CODA policies are
backed by ACE's recognised financial, strength recently upgraded to AA-
by S&P. CODA has 25 years of unmatched experience in managing complex
and high profile Side A claims and a demonstrated commitment to high
quality service and contract certainty with policies issued at inception.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
CODA
The CODA (Corporate Officers and Directors Assurance) policy is designed
to give comprehensive financial protection to directors and officers
when their company fails to indemnify them or when traditional insurance
programmes fail to respond. The original CODA policy is offered by ACE
Bermuda Insurance Ltd. (ACE Bermuda) to a broad range of directors and
officers of Fortune 1000 corporations, and is widely recognised as the
premier provider of excess/difference-in-conditions insurance in the US
marketplace. In 2006 ACE Bermuda International, a subsidiary of ACE
Bermuda, expanded the CODA brand and launched a CODA product designed
specifically for the UK market.
ACE Bermuda International
ACE Bermuda International is the registered trading name of ACE Bermuda
International Insurance (Ireland) Limited, which is regulated by the
Central Bank of Ireland. ACE Bermuda International operates through its
headquarters in Dublin and branch office in London and follows the same
low frequency, high severity business model as ACE Bermuda with a focus
on large European and other non-US corporations. Additional information
can be found at www.acebermudainternational.com
About ACE
The ACE Group is a global leader in insurance and reinsurance serving a
diverse group of clients. Headed by ACE Limited (NYSE:ACE), a component
of the S&P 500 stock index, the ACE Group conducts its business on a
worldwide basis with operating subsidiaries in more than 50 countries
and commercial and individual customers in more than 170 countries.
Additional information can be found at: www.acegroup.com
