Directors Insurance the Easy Way.

Directors Insurance is NZ’s trusted insurance broker specializing in directors and officers insurance, professional liability coverage, and comprehensive business insurance solutions for companies of every size across New Zealand. From emerging startups to established enterprises, we protect your business and leadership team with tailored insurance packages that safeguard against the unique risks facing modern companies.

Get your personalised business insurance quote today & see what you can save.

Talk to Us
Our team of insurance advisors offer you a bespoke directors insurance quote to cover you for liability, health, life & much more.
Loved by 1000+ global enterprises
We Proudly Partner With The Following Insurers;

Directors Insurance the Easy Way.

Directors Insurance is NZ’s trusted insurance broker specializing in directors and officers insurance, professional liability coverage, and comprehensive business insurance solutions for companies of every size across New Zealand. From emerging startups to established enterprises, we protect your business and leadership team with tailored insurance packages that safeguard against the unique risks facing modern companies.

Get your personalised business insurance quote today & see what you can save.

Talk to Us

Comprehensive Business Insurance Solutions for New Zealand Companies

✓ Competitive Quotes – We compare multiple insurers to secure the best rates and coverage for your business
✓ Expert Guidance – Specialist knowledge in New Zealand business insurance and regulatory requirements
✓ Ongoing Support – Dedicated account management and claims assistance whenever you need it
✓ Tailored Solutions – Custom insurance packages designed for your industry and risk profile
✓ Fast Turnaround – Quick quotes and policy implementation to protect your business without delay

We’re here to make your insurance research as painless as possible so let us find the best matched insurance to suit your requirements quickly and easily.

Get A Quote Today

Directors Insurance – Essential Protection for New Zealand Business Leaders

Directors insurance in New Zealand provides comprehensive personal liability protection for company directors and officers against lawsuits, regulatory investigations, and legal claims arising from corporate governance decisions. As New Zealand’s specialist directors insurance broker, DirectorsInsurance.co.nz connects business leaders with optimal coverage from multiple A-rated underwriters, ensuring competitive rates and comprehensive protection tailored to your specific industry and risk profile.

With potential personal fines reaching $300,000 from WorkSafe prosecutions and expanding director duties under New Zealand legislation, directors insurance has become essential protection for business leaders across all industries. Our independent brokerage provides unbiased advice, competitive quotes from multiple insurers, and ongoing support to ensure your personal assets remain protected while you focus on business growth and success.

directors insurance

What is Directors Insurance and Why Do You Need It?

Directors insurance (also known as Directors and Officers or D&O insurance) protects the personal assets of company directors, officers, and senior management from financial loss resulting from legal claims made against them in their professional capacity. Unlike other business insurance that protects company assets, directors insurance specifically safeguards your personal wealth—including homes, savings, investments, and retirement funds—from corporate litigation and regulatory penalties.

In New Zealand’s increasingly complex regulatory environment, serving as a company director carries significant personal liability exposure. Directors can face substantial personal fines, legal costs, and damage awards even when acting in good faith and in the company’s best interests. Recent legislation has expanded director responsibilities under the Companies Act, Health and Safety at Work Act, Privacy Act 2020, and Financial Markets Conduct Act, creating unprecedented personal liability exposure for business leaders.

Key reasons New Zealand directors need specialized insurance protection:

  • Personal assets are directly at risk from corporate claims and regulatory penalties
  • Legal defense costs can exceed $500,000 even for unsuccessful claims against directors
  • WorkSafe prosecutions can result in personal fines up to $300,000 for individual directors
  • Employment disputes now represent over 60% of director liability claims in New Zealand
  • Shareholder lawsuits and corporate governance claims are increasing across all industries
  • Regulatory investigations by FMA, Commerce Commission, and other agencies can impose substantial personal costs

We provide access to comprehensive coverage from New Zealand’s leading insurers, ensuring you receive optimal protection at competitive rates while maintaining the independence to choose coverage that best serves your specific needs and circumstances.

 

 

d&o insurance

Comprehensive Directors Insurance Coverage

Our directors insurance policies provide extensive protection across the full spectrum of potential liability exposures facing New Zealand business leaders. Working with multiple underwriters allows DirectorsInsurance.co.nz to offer comprehensive coverage options that address industry-specific risks while maintaining competitive pricing and flexible policy terms.

Employment Practices Liability Coverage: Employment disputes represent the largest category of directors insurance claims in New Zealand. Our policies provide comprehensive protection against wrongful termination claims, workplace discrimination and harassment allegations, wage and hour disputes, breach of employment contracts, sexual harassment and bullying claims, failure to promote disputes, and hiring practice challenges. With New Zealand’s strong employment protection legislation, directors face significant personal exposure from current and former employees, making this coverage essential for all business leaders.

Corporate Governance and Management Liability: Directors insurance covers claims alleging breach of fiduciary duty, shareholder derivative actions and disputes, minority shareholder oppression claims, mismanagement and business judgment challenges, breach of care, skill, and diligence duties, conflicts of interest allegations, and company insolvency-related director liability. These governance-related claims can result in substantial personal financial exposure, particularly for directors of growing companies or those facing business challenges.

Regulatory Investigation and Compliance Coverage: New Zealand’s regulatory environment has become increasingly complex, with multiple agencies having power to investigate and penalize directors personally. Our directors insurance provides comprehensive coverage for WorkSafe prosecutions and health safety violations, FMA investigations and market conduct breaches, Commerce Commission enforcement actions, Privacy Act breach notifications and penalties, Companies Act compliance failures, and environmental regulation violations. This coverage includes both defense costs and penalty payments where legally permissible.

Crisis Management and Reputation Protection: Modern directors insurance includes valuable crisis management support to help protect both personal and corporate reputations during challenging situations. This includes reputation management and public relations support during claims, crisis communication strategy development, media training and spokesperson preparation, stakeholder communication coordination, and access to specialist crisis management consultants who understand the New Zealand business environment.

directors liability insurance nz

Industry-Specific Directors Insurance Solutions

DirectorsInsurance.co.nz provides specialized directors insurance solutions tailored to the unique risks and regulatory requirements facing different industries across New Zealand. Our relationships with multiple underwriters enable us to secure industry-specific coverage enhancements and competitive pricing for businesses across all sectors.

Technology and Software Companies: New Zealand’s growing technology sector faces unique director liability exposures including data protection and cyber security responsibilities, intellectual property disputes and patent litigation, consumer privacy and platform liability issues, rapid growth and venture capital investment complexities, and international expansion regulatory requirements. Our technology-focused directors insurance includes enhanced cyber liability coverage, intellectual property protection, and coverage for regulatory investigations related to data protection and consumer privacy issues.

Healthcare and Medical Services: Healthcare directors face specialized risks including patient safety and medical device liability, Privacy Act compliance for health information, therapeutic goods administration requirements, professional licensing and regulatory oversight, and clinical governance and quality assurance responsibilities. Our healthcare directors insurance provides comprehensive coverage for industry-specific claims while addressing the unique regulatory environment governing New Zealand’s healthcare sector.

Financial Services and Banking: Financial services directors operate in New Zealand’s most heavily regulated industry, facing regulatory scrutiny from RBNZ and FMA, consumer protection compliance requirements, anti-money laundering and financial crime exposure, investment advice and product liability, and market conduct and disclosure obligations. Our financial services directors insurance includes enhanced regulatory investigation coverage and specialized protection for industry-specific risks.

Construction and Engineering: Construction industry directors face significant exposure from health and safety prosecution risks, building consent and compliance issues, subcontractor and supplier payment disputes, environmental liability and resource consent breaches, and workplace safety and employee protection requirements. Our construction-focused directors insurance provides comprehensive WorkSafe prosecution coverage and specialized protection for industry-specific regulatory requirements.

Manufacturing and Distribution: Manufacturing directors must navigate product liability and consumer safety requirements, environmental compliance and resource management obligations, supply chain disruption and contract disputes, workplace safety and employee protection duties, and international trade and export compliance issues. Our manufacturing directors insurance includes enhanced product liability coverage and protection for environmental and workplace safety exposures.

 

directors liability insurance

Get Your Directors Insurance Quote Today

Whether you’re a sole director seeking personal protection or a large corporation requiring comprehensive coverage, our experienced team of experts is here to help. Contact us for a free, no-obligation quote and discover how Directors Insurance can provide the protection and peace of mind your business deserves.

Protecting New Zealand businesses and their leaders with comprehensive, competitively-priced insurance solutions backed by expert advice and unwavering support.

Get a Quote

Directors Insurance Claims and Real New Zealand Examples

Understanding how directors insurance responds to real claims helps illustrate the value and necessity of comprehensive coverage for New Zealand business leaders. DirectorsInsurance.co.nz has supported clients through numerous complex claims, providing expert guidance and advocacy throughout the claims process.

Employment Dispute Case Study – Auckland Technology Startup: A rapidly growing software company director faced a $350,000 employment claim from a former senior developer alleging discrimination, wrongful termination, and failure to provide promised equity compensation. The case involved complex employment law issues and required 18 months of litigation with defense costs exceeding $180,000. The director’s insurance policy provided full coverage for both defense costs and the eventual $240,000 settlement, protecting the director’s personal assets and enabling the company to continue operations without disruption.

WorkSafe Prosecution – Canterbury Manufacturing Company: Following a workplace accident resulting in serious employee injury, WorkSafe prosecuted both the company and individual directors for health and safety violations. The directors faced personal fines totaling $280,000 plus $420,000 in legal defense costs. The directors insurance policy covered all penalties and legal expenses under its regulatory investigation coverage, preventing personal bankruptcy and enabling the directors to implement comprehensive safety improvements while maintaining business operations.

Shareholder Dispute – Wellington Professional Services Firm: A minority shareholder in a professional services firm initiated oppression proceedings against the directors, alleging mismanagement and breach of fiduciary duties while seeking $2.1 million in damages. The complex dispute required extensive legal representation, forensic accounting, and business valuation experts over 30 months. The directors insurance policy covered $680,000 in defense costs and a $580,000 settlement, allowing the business to resolve the dispute while protecting the directors’ personal assets.

Regulatory Investigation – Hamilton Construction Company: Commerce Commission investigated directors for alleged competition law violations related to tender pricing practices. Although no violations were ultimately found, the investigation required 14 months of legal representation and compliance consulting, costing $240,000 in defense expenses. The directors insurance policy covered all investigation costs, demonstrating the value of coverage even when claims are ultimately unsuccessful.

These real examples demonstrate the critical importance of comprehensive directors insurance for New Zealand business leaders across all industries and company sizes. Without proper coverage, each of these situations could have resulted in personal financial devastation for the directors involved.

 

company liability insurance

Take Action – Protect Your Personal Assets Today

Don’t wait for a claim to discover the importance of comprehensive directors insurance. Every day without proper protection puts your personal assets at risk from employment disputes, regulatory investigations, shareholder claims, and other director liability exposures. New Zealand’s complex regulatory environment and increasing litigation trends make directors insurance essential protection for responsible business leaders.

DirectorsInsurance.co.nz makes securing optimal protection simple and efficient. Our specialist expertise, multiple underwriter relationships, and independent approach ensure you receive the best possible coverage at competitive rates. We handle all aspects of the process from initial risk assessment through ongoing policy management, allowing you to focus on business leadership while maintaining confidence in your personal asset protection.

Immediate Next Steps: Contact DirectorsInsurance.co.nz today for a free, no-obligation risk assessment and competitive quote comparison. Our experienced team will evaluate your specific circumstances, explain coverage options clearly, and provide recommendations tailored to your needs and budget. Professional guidance ensures optimal protection while avoiding coverage gaps or unnecessary expenses.

Free Directors Insurance Assessment:

  • Comprehensive risk evaluation for your specific circumstances
  • Competitive quotes from multiple A-rated underwriters
  • Expert coverage recommendations and policy comparison
  • Professional guidance throughout the selection process
  • Ongoing support and advocacy when you need it most

 

directors liability insurance alternatives

The Benefits Outweigh The Cost

The cost-benefit analysis is compelling: annual directors insurance premiums typically represent just 0.1-0.5% of company revenue, while potential claim costs can exceed 10-50% of company assets. Legal defense costs alone often exceed annual premium costs in single incidents, making directors insurance one of the most cost-effective risk management investments available. Forward-thinking companies recognize that directors insurance demonstrates professional management, commitment to proper corporate governance, and preparedness for modern business challenges. Don’t wait for a claim to realize its importance—by the time a lawsuit arrives, it’s too late to secure coverage for that incident. Contact our experienced team today for a comprehensive risk assessment and competitive directors insurance quote to protect your company’s leadership and ensure your business can focus on what matters most: sustainable growth and success.

Get Started

Where we’re located

Directors Insurance FAQs

  • What is Directors and Officers (D&O) Insurance?
  • Do I Need Directors Insurance if I'm the Only Director?
  • What Does Directors Insurance Actually Cover?
  • What is NOT Covered by Directors Insurance?
  • How Much Does Directors Insurance Cost in New Zealand?
  • What Directors Insurance Coverage Limit Should I Choose?
  • When Should I Buy Directors Insurance?
  • Does Company Directors Insurance Cover Past Acts?
  • What's the Difference Between D&O Insurance and Professional Indemnity?
  • How Do I Make a Claim on Directors Insurance?
  • Can the Company Pay for Directors Insurance Premiums?
  • What Industries Have the Highest Risk for Directors?
  • Does Directors Insurance Cover Regulatory Investigations?
  • What Happens if My Company Goes into Liquidation?
  • How Often Should I Review My Directors Insurance?

Some Latest Articles For You

See all articles