ACE Bermuda has launched a new CODA (corporate officers & director’s assurance) premier directors and officers liability policy, addressing SOX and Dodd-Frank-incurred expenses, defence costs advancement and UK Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide defence costs coverage.

The CODA Premier policy gives personal asset protection to directors and officers through ACE’s commercial property and casualty insurance businesses in North America.

ACE Bermuda, announcing the new policy, said significant enhancements include limits reinstatement; longer claims reporting periods; funds for public relations purposes, to contest extradition and to pursue policy access when challenged by others; broadened coverage for preliminary investigations, extradition proceedings and detention; and automatic renewal.

“We proactively look for ways to improve and create value for our clients, and we developed the new CODA policy with the aim of providing the most robust D&O coverage in the market,” said Robert Wolfe, who is senior vice president, ACE USA Professional Risk. “Providing directors and officers with the coverage they need is a priority of ACE. The policy contains several market-leading enhancements in response to an evolving business and regulatory environment.”

Jeffrey Jabon, senior vice president, ACE Bermuda Professional Lines is quoted in the announcement as saying: “ACE’s CODA Premier policy has been the market standard for almost 30 years. That is a meaningful differentiator for clients who not only demand innovation but who also care about consistency and sustainability.

“With this revolutionary coverage, our global network, and our offering of up to $100 million in combined capacity through our businesses in Bermuda, the US and Canada, directors and officers can focus on effectively and efficiently managing their businesses with the security of knowing that they are ACE insured.”

New features of the CODA Premier policy include:

• Two free reinstatements of the limits

• Additional free six year insolvency reporting period

• Additional, free automatic reporting period of unlimited duration for former directors and officers

• Separate funds established, including CODA Access Fund limit, Public Relations Fund sublimit and Enforcement Fund sublimit

• Broadened definition of claim and insurers

• Coverage for expenses incurred by executive officers in connection with SOX Section 304(a) or Dodd-Frank Sections 210 and 954

• Expanded recognition of underlying limit erosion

• Automatic policy renewal capabilities

• UK. Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide defence costs coverage

• Defense cost advancement within 60 days