Cockatoo guide

Indemnity: policy and contract meanings

Indemnity can describe compensation for a covered loss or an obligation to protect another party under a contract.

Indemnity can describe compensation for a covered loss or an obligation to protect another party under a contract.

The distinction that matters

A contractual indemnity may be broader than insurance cover and should not be treated as automatically insured.

What to check

  • Read the obligation and policy separately.
  • Check exclusions and limits.
  • Seek advice before accepting broad contract terms.

Example to discuss

A contractor checks whether a client’s indemnity clause extends beyond the liability accepted by the insurer.

This is a hypothetical comparison, not a customer claim or a determination of cover.

Sources and further reading

General information only. The policy, schedule and applicable rules determine the actual position. For a personal decision, use an appropriately qualified adviser or the relevant provider.

Sources

References used in this guide