Which party is known as the indemnitee in a hold harmless agreement?

In a hold harmless agreement, the indemnitee is the party that is to be protected from loss. This term is central to the purpose of such agreements, which typically aim to allocate risks between parties involved in a transaction or relationship.

The indemnitee benefits from the agreement as it ensures that they will have financial protection against claims or liabilities that may arise. This protection is crucial in many business contexts, such as contracts involving services, construction, or events where one party could be held liable for unforeseen incidents.

While it's important to understand the roles of the other parties involved—like the indemnitor, who is the one assuming the risk and agreeing to provide indemnification—recognizing the status of the indemnitee helps clarify the intent and function of the agreement itself. The indemnitee is effectively the party relying on the terms of the agreement to safeguard against potential financial loss or legal liability.