While D&O insurance provides essential liability protection to directors, officers and companies, the claims process is a minefield for policyholders.  A risk manager needs to know which policy provisions to insist on and which to avoid as well as how countering typical insurance company defenses once a claim is filed, and how to keep an insurance company on board while settling a suit.  This session will cover these essentials.  Key policy language issues include “severability” of coverage for insurers not implicated in wrongdoing; priority of payment provisions when multiple parties are all seeking coverage; and the scope of “bad acts” exclusions.  Settlement issues include satisfying the insurer’s desire for information and right to “participate” in a settlement, as well as whether settling with the primary insurance company can arguably endanger excess coverage.