On April 28, 2020, Tesla filed with the SEC an amendment to its annual 10-K filing (here). The amendment addresses a number of corporate governance and executive compensation issues. In a section of the filing with the heading “Director Independence,” the company discloses that:
Tesla determined not to renew its directors and officers liability insurance policy for the 2019-2020 year due to disproportionately high premiums quoted by insurance companies. Instead, Elon Musk agreed with Tesla to personally provide coverage substantially equivalent to such a policy for a one-year period, and the other members of the Board are third-party beneficiaries thereof. The Board concluded that because such arrangement is governed by a binding agreement with Tesla as to which Mr. Musk does not have unilateral discretion to perform, and is intended to replace an ordinary course insurance policy, it would not impair the independent judgment of the other members of the Board.
via In Lieu of D&O Insurance, Musk Agrees to Provide Tesla with “Coverage” | The D&O Diary.
