How Aviva GCS’s new Management Liability insurance helps brokers simplify cover for complex risks

In today’s environment of heightened corporate accountability, legal scrutiny, and regulatory oversight, Canadian business executives are under pressure like never before. It’s a challenge that’s top of mind for commercial brokers as they help clients navigate escalating risk — and Aviva Canada’s Global Corporate & Specialty (GCS) Financial Lines team is solutioning these concerns with the launch of its new Management Liability coverage.

“Business leaders are facing a multitude of complex pressures, particularly large corporate and commercial clients” says Andrew Cadogan, Underwriting Manager, Management Liability at Aviva GCS. “From tariff uncertainty and potential exposure to ESG greenwashing to a rapidly evolving legal landscape, executives are making increasingly high-stakes decisions — and every one of those decisions can have consequences.”

Cadogan highlights four key exposures increasingly leaving organizations – and their directors and officers – vulnerable: trade uncertainty, regulatory changes, greenwashing risk, and a surge in corporate litigation. Each has the potential to trigger shareholder, employee, or regulator action — and lead to costly legal defence or settlement expenses.

“Today’s corporations face greater scrutiny and regulations,” Cadogan adds. “And even if a company or executive ultimately wins a case, the cost of defending it can be significant — especially as cases often drag on far longer than expected. Our Management Liability product helps clients prepare for that risk.”

Built for clarity and confidence

Aviva’s new solution is designed to protect businesses and their leadership teams from today’s evolving risks. Available to both public and private companies, the product offers a flexible, modular wording that includes coverage for Directors & Officers Liability (D&O), Employment Practices Liability (EPL), and Fiduciary Liability / Pension Trust Liability (PTL) — with options to bundle or customize, and to choose shared or separate limits.

“We know brokers are managing increasingly complex risks on behalf of their clients,” says Cadogan. “Our goal was to simplify that process for brokers — to provide coverage that’s easy to understand, easy to explain, and built for the realities Canadian businesses are facing.”

That’s why Aviva built key features directly into its wording, avoiding the patchwork of endorsements often seen in the market. “We wanted brokers to know exactly what’s covered — and for their clients to have the same level of clarity,” Cadogan says. “Less complexity, fewer grey areas, and best-in-class value built right in.”

Those built-in features include Emergency Defense Cost coverage for fast access to legal support when it’s needed most, and full severability for insured persons, protecting individual leaders from being penalized for the actions of others. Under PTL, Voluntary Compliance Loss coverage helps businesses proactively address compliance issues before they escalate. And when legal disputes threaten a client’s reputation, Aviva’s solution includes coverage for public relations expenses, employed lawyer costs, and third-party EPL claims — exposures that can often catch organizations off guard.

“Whether it’s a lawsuit against directors and officers, a wrongful dismissal claim, or a fiduciary liability dispute over employee benefits, this product protects decision-makers,” Cadogan says. “At the end of the day, it’s about helping brokers deliver a better solution to their clients: one that’s clear, comprehensive, and ready to respond when it matters most.”

Expanding solutions for evolving risks

The new coverage is a key part of Aviva GCS’ larger strategy to grow its Financial Lines offerings.

“We’re seeing increasing demand for large risk and multinational solutions, both inbound and outbound, and our goal is to create a full suite of financial products for brokers to offer their clients,” says Cadogan.

“The new coverages complement Aviva’s existing suite of products and enhances its ability to serve brokers and customers.”

Beyond its increased appetite, Aviva backs its offering with financial strength, deep underwriting expertise, a defensible claims philosophy, technical underwriter support, and a dedicated litigation panel, Cadogan says.

“Our trusted Client Relationship Management team is now embedded in this new solution as well. We’re committed to providing clarity, capacity, and a client-first service — so brokers are equipped with the right coverage, tools, and expertise to help their clients manage today’s growing exposures with confidence.”

This is just the beginning, he adds. “It’s one step in our bigger journey to deliver the evolving solutions brokers need, and the trusted support their clients expect.”

If you’d like to find out more about Aviva’s GCS Management Liability solutions, please reach out to your broker or visit GCS Financial Lines.