What Is Indemnification Agreement (Explained: All You Need To Know)

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What Is An Indemnification Agreement

An indemnification agreement is a type of agreement where one or more parties to a contract look to be compensated for losses or damages in certain contractually defined events.

Businesses and individuals negotiating commercial contracts should understand indemnification agreements to better protect themselves from business risk and liability.

An indemnity agreement is a contract designed to help protect your organization from exposure to the contracting party’s breach of contract or failure. 

Indemnity agreements are sophisticated business contracts, so it’s a good idea to ensure you understand the indemnification’s extent and scope. 

Every indemnity agreement has two parties:

• The indemnitee is the person or organization protected from exposure or liability
• The indemnifier is the person or organization that guarantees reimbursement to the indemnitee for any negligence or breach of contract

When an indemnity agreement is signed, the indemnitee is protected against lawsuits. 

Indemnification Agreement Definition

An indemnification agreement is a written document that gives one or more contracting parties protection against loss, burdens, or damages. 

Its primary purpose is to let businesses offer their services and products without liabilities for future problems. 

Indemnification agreements give organizations supplementary protection by guaranteeing they’re not held accountable for losses or damages outside their control. 

“Indemnity” is a term used to refer to a form of compensation against possible damages or losses.

An “indemnification agreement”, as a result, is an agreement where one party agrees to pay for the potential losses or damages suffered by another party.

Risky Activities

Indemnification agreements are needed when transferring risk from one party to another. 

Indemnity agreements are signed particularly when a contracting party engages in a risky activity.  

Some risky activities include:

• Allowing risky ventures on your property
• Employing a company or intermediary to work for your business
• Letting someone operate your tools and equipment
• Providing dangerous services 

What Is Included In An Indemnification Agreement

The primary purpose of an indemnification agreement is for a party to indemnify another party against certain losses or damages.

The contract can provide that both parties provide a mutual indemnification to one another or it can be asymmetric where one party benefits from the indemnification only.

The parties can also choose to include indemnification provisions that has a different scope, extent, and timeframe in their agreement.

In general, indemnification agreements include the following parts:

• Description of the parties
• Indemnification scope
• Indemnification triggers
• Nature of damages or losses indemnified
• Party indemnifying and party indemnified 
• Indemnification period 
• Governing law
• Agreement date and signature 

When Do You Need Indemnification Agreements

Every business in any industry and of any size can enter into an indemnification agreement.

An indemnification agreement can also be entered into by individuals as well.

Let’s look at some examples of instances when you may use indemnification agreements.

Construction Companies

It’s common practice that a construction company requests intermediaries sign an indemnification agreement before employing a contractor. 

This protects the business against legal actions if a contractor suffers an accident due to negligence of the hired contractor.

Pet Shelters

Pet shelters can request owners to sign an indemnity contract before accepting their pet overnight. 

This protects the company against lawsuits if one animal harms another. 

Rental Cars

Drivers must sign an indemnity agreement to rent a car. 

The rental company is essentially asking the car driver to indemnify it for any damages or losses due to the driver’s actions or conduct.

Rental Properties

Individuals who rent a property might sign an indemnification agreement with the landlord. 

Landlords protect themselves from loss or damages that tenants might cause to the property. 

Surety Bond Business

It’s prevalent for obligees to sign an indemnity agreement before getting a surety bond to protect surety companies from losses or surety bond claims. 

Indemnity clauses are prevalent in most insurance contracts. 

Depending on the particular arrangement, a person can know what is protected and to what extent. 

Government Contracts

Indemnity agreements are also used in deals between governments and companies. 

For example, a company bidding on a public contract may need to enter into an indemnification agreement to compensate the government in case it causes the government harm.

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• Tortious interference 

How Does Indemnification Agreement Work

Indemnification agreements vary by state law and purpose. 

Some contracts are straightforward, while others are sophisticated and complex. 

Extent of Compensation

Usually, the indemnity agreement defines when a party may need to indemnify another for economic damages or losses. 

The compensation is typically in the form of monetary compensation. 

The contract will also describe the particular terms and conditions under which a party will have to compensate the other party. 

A properly drafted indemnification agreement will include the proper scope and extent of the indemnification.

Exclusions 

An indemnification agreement can also include exclusions. 

For instance, in many commercial contracts, the parties will exclude the negligence or fault of the indemnitee.

You can include other types of exclusions such as limiting the indemnification to third-party claims only or claims not exceeding a certain amount.

Remember, each clause must fit your purpose when writing an indemnification agreement. 

Nature of Indemnification

The nature of indemnification is generally defined by the parties.

Although most of the time the indemnification will be in cash, it could also be in kind, through repairs, or the replacement of the thing damaged.  

For instance, when you pay home insurance premiums, the insurance company pays an indemnification if the house is damaged from natural disasters, fire, or other risks detailed in the insurance contracts. 

If the house is seriously damaged, the insurance company must restore the property either through repairs or reimbursement to the owner for payments provoked for such maintenance. 

Indemnification Agreements And Governing Laws

When entering into an indemnification agreement, you should consider the laws applicable to your agreement.

In most states, indemnification agreements are enforceable, although there are exceptions.

However, you may have to observe certain legal requirements.

For instance, some states, like New York, don’t allow indemnity contracts in construction agreements as, according to state laws, they’re “void and unenforceable.” 

In Missouri, you should outline indemnification conditions in “clean and unequivocal terms.” 

The same applies in Nevada, where clauses must be “very clearly intended.”

State courts usually enforced indemnification agreements. 

However, there are some exceptions. 

Indemnity agreements that force a party to compensate another party for any demand irrespective of fault are traditionally denied as they’ve been found to breach public policy. 

Some states also do not enforce indemnification agreements that tend to be punitive in nature. 

Keep in mind that courts have typically sustained that a complainant can’t restore damages under an indemnification agreement to the scope that the damages are the unexpected and improbable result of the other party’s misconduct, negligence, or breach. 

To ensure that your indemnification agreement will be legally enforceable, it’s best to consult a qualified business attorney for advice. 

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• What are punitive damages

Indemnification Agreement Scope

Indemnification agreements are typically complex documents. 

It’s vital to read them thoroughly and carefully to ensure your accountability is limited to the triggers that are acceptable and reasonable. 

A well-drafted contract must avoid broad terms so you are not required to indemnify the other party with very low triggers.

The scope of your indemnification should be defined.

For instance, you can limit it only to third-party claims or for claims that relate to the infringement of intellectual property rights.

You can also limit the scope of your indemnification by capping the total amount.

For instance, you can set a fixed cap for indemnification (not to exceed a certain amount).

You can also use a formula to set the cap, like the amount that was paid by the other party under the contract for one year prior to the event triggering the indemnification. 

Before agreeing to an indemnity agreement, it’s important that you understand the scope of what you are indemnifying. 

You can also put a time limit on your indemnification obligation.

For example, you can indicate that the indemnification will only last one year or two years from the moment the contract is signed.

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• What are compensatory damages 

Types of Indemnification Agreements

Different types of indemnification contracts depend on the protection they offer to the indemnitee. 

Broad Form 

A broad form indemnification agreement is used when a party is compensated from responsibility even when that party is the one and only cause of the damage. 

It’s essential to note that this indemnity contract may not be enforceable in several states, like California, particularly in construction agreements. 

Comparative Form

A type of indemnification agreement where each party is liable for actions provoked by its own negligence or misconduct. 

Its primary purpose is for each entity to hold the other guiltless for issues caused by its carelessness. 

Comparative form indemnity agreements typically used the term “only to the extent.” 

Intermediate Form 

Intermediate form indemnification agreements compensate a party for negligence, except the party is entirely at fault. 

This means that the indemnifier protects a somewhat negligent indemnitee. 

Takeaways 

So there you have it folks!

An indemnification agreement is a type of agreement where a contracting party is given protection against liability, losses, or damages caused by the other party.

In commercial contracts, the indemnification provision is highly negotiated as the parties have an interest in limiting their liability and transferring risk to the other party.

Indemnification contracts can be complex to negotiate and challenging.

If you are dealing with an indemnification agreement, be sure to consult a lawyer who can advise you on it.

Now that you know what is an indemnification agreement and how it works, good luck with your research!

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