Answered By
Kyle Jeziorski - Founder Shield
Senior Director

Kyle is the market-facing leader at Founder Shield, with eight years invested in the boutique broker and more than a decade in the insurance industry. Before Founder Shield, Kyle worked at Marsh on the FINPRO team focusing on management liability in the large private and public space. A graduate of Saint Joseph’s University’s Risk Management and Insurance Program, Kyle has focused his entire career helping clients to navigate through an ever changing risk environment.

What Kind Of Additional Insured Would An Investor Be?

Asked by: Benjamin F.

Kyle Jeziorski - Founder Shield
Kyle Jeziorski

In the context of insurance, an "additional insured" refers to a person or entity that is not automatically included as an insured under an insurance policy but for whom the named insured has arranged protection under its policy. This often occurs in business dealings or partnerships where one party requires the other to extend some of its insurance coverage to them.For investors, being named as an "additional insured" on a startup's policy could serve several purposes:

1.  Liability Protection: Investors may want to be added as additional insureds to the startup's general liability insurance to protect against potential lawsuits that could arise from the startup's operations. This is particularly relevant if the investor is closely involved in the operations or decision-making of the startup.
2.  Directors and Officers (D&O) Insurance: Investors who serve on the board of directors of a startup might seek to be added as additional insureds under the startup's D&O policy. This would provide them with personal protection against lawsuits alleging wrongful acts in their capacity as directors or officers of the company.
3.  Professional Liability Insurance: If an investor provides professional advice or services to a startup, becoming an additional insured on the startup’s professional liability (errors and omissions) policy can offer protection against claims related to the advice or services provided.
4.  Property Insurance: If an investor has a financial interest in physical assets of the startup, being named as additional insured on the startup's property insurance could protect their financial stake in the event of damage or loss of those assets.
5.  Completed Operations Coverage: For investors involved in startups that manufacture products or offer certain types of services, being included as additional insureds could protect against liability claims arising from the startup's completed work or products once they are out in the market.

It's crucial for investors to review the terms and coverage limits of being added as an additional insured since the protection provided can vary significantly by policy and insurance provider. It's also worth noting that being named as an additional insured usually only provides coverage for claims that arise out of the named insured's negligence or operations, not for the additional insured's independent negligence or operations.

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