Practical Guide · 7 min read
Startup Insurance Checklist by Funding Stage
This is the checklist version of the foundational stage guide — a working document you can hand to your COO or counsel before your next round.
About the author
Written by Amir.
Pre-seed / Seed
General Liability + Cyber baseline. IP assignment in every contractor + employee agreement. Confirm landlord-required certificates if you have leased space.
Series A
D&O at $3M–$5M. EPLI as headcount approaches 15–25 across multiple states. Tech E&O if customers rely on your product to operate theirs. Workers' Comp wherever you have W-2 employees.
Series B / Growth
Crime / Employee Dishonesty (funds-transfer fraud). Increase cyber limits to match enterprise customer requirements. Coordinate with executive Personal Umbrella + Private Client.
Pre-IPO / IPO-Track
Restructure D&O into ABC + Side A DIC tower. IPO-window endorsements + run-off provisions. Coordinate with counsel on disclosure requirements.
When does this checklist actually need to be revisited?
Any time you raise, double headcount, sign a meaningfully larger customer, or open a new state. Those four events drive almost every coverage gap we see.
Can we skip D&O until Series B?
Most priced equity rounds will require D&O at closing. Plan for $3M–$5M at Series A; trying to add it mid-round usually delays closing.
Frequently asked questions
When does this checklist actually need to be revisited?
Any time you raise, double headcount, sign a meaningfully larger customer, or open a new state. Those four events drive almost every coverage gap we see.
Can we skip D&O until Series B?
Most priced equity rounds will require D&O at closing. Plan for $3M–$5M at Series A; trying to add it mid-round usually delays closing.
This material is general educational information, not legal, tax, or insurance advice. Coverage availability, policy terms, and regulatory requirements vary by state, carrier, and applicant.