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At-Bay vs Founder Shield

Compare technology liability with Founder Shield’s broader brokerage and the distinct eligibility of its standalone generative AI offering.

Introduction

An AI startup can be both a seller of software and a user of third-party models. Those activities should not be collapsed into one coverage label. At-Bay describes technology liability for delivering products and services. Founder Shield’s standalone generative AI offering is directed at users and excludes businesses selling AI. That distinction should precede any comparison of limits. 2 27

Where Each Provider Shines

Where At-Bay Shines

  • Tech E&O combines professional liability and cyber protection. 2
  • Stance pairs eligible policies with monitoring, training and cyber advisors; MDR costs extra. 7

Where Founder Shield Shines

  • A focus on venture-backed and high-growth businesses spans early funding rounds through an initial public offering. 14,19
  • Founder Shield asks clients to flag new products, business models, offices and territories so its team can review coverage changes. 32

Coverage Comparison

Coverage TypeAt-BayFounder Shield
Cargo and transitNot listedListed 24
Commercial propertyNot listedListed 24
Contract frustrationNot listedListed 24
CrimeNot listedListed 24
Cyber liabilityListed 3Listed 24
Digital assetsNot listedListed 24
Directors and officersNot listedListed 24
Employee health and benefitsNot listedListed 24
Employment practices liabilityNot listedListed 24
Fidelity bondsNot listedListed 24
Fiduciary liabilityNot listedListed 24
General liabilityNot listedListed 24
Generative AI liabilityNot listedListed 27
Hired and non-owned autoNot listedListed 24
Intellectual propertyNot listedListed 24
Key personNot listedListed 24
Last-mile deliveryNot listedListed 24
Media liabilityNot listedListed 41
Product liabilityNot listedListed 24
Professional liability / E&OListed 4Listed 24
Representations and warrantiesNot listedListed 24
Technology errors and omissionsListed 2Not listed
Umbrella and excess liabilityListed 2,3Listed 24
Venture capital asset protectionNot listedListed 24
Virtual care and telehealthNot listedListed 24
Workers’ compensationNot listedListed 24

Listed products and programs, including policies arranged through insurers or partners. Optional endorsements are discussed in the analysis below. “Not listed” means no separate offering appears in the reviewed catalogue; confirm availability and policy terms with the provider.

Key Differences Between at-Bay and Founder Shield

Internal AI Use Is a Different Underwriting Question

Founder Shield’s AI page describes a separate offering with its own audience and exclusions. It is not evidence that every technology client receives that protection, or that it replaces cyber coverage. At-Bay’s current public technology description likewise does not settle every AI activity: the canonical research flags an older appetite document that should not be treated as current acceptance or rejection. Describe the actual model use and products in the submission. 27

A September 2023 Tech E&O appetite PDF still accessible on At-Bay’s site has lower revenue and limit ceilings than the current product page and lists restricted classes including autonomous AI. It should not be treated as current eligibility guidance; ask underwriting for the applicable appetite version. 12,2

Broader Company Risks Remain a Brokerage Task

Founder Shield describes arranging startup coverage from early funding through IPO, including management and other corporate lines. Its role can extend beyond the technology policy being compared with At-Bay. Ask whether one adviser will coordinate the AI-specific offer with those other policies and identify overlaps or gaps. No reviewed public document establishes access to At-Bay through that brokerage. 19 24 1

Intermediary Names Do Not Identify the Risk Bearer

The AI offering involves Testudo, described as an intermediary, with Lloyd’s backing that does not identify the individual proposed issuer. Founder Shield’s own contractual and producer names also require reconciliation. At-Bay’s historical carrier transition is not sufficient to identify today’s California policy either. Obtain the legal names for the exact placement. 30 15 11

What to Confirm in Quotes

Provide separate descriptions of sold technology and internal AI use. Request the operative AI clauses, technology form, exclusions, California route, and all intermediary fees. Founder Shield’s source summaries differ on the number of AI insuring categories; the offered wording must resolve that difference. 27 28

Service Comparison

At-Bay vs Founder Shield Insurance: documented services and availability

CriteriaAt-BayFounder Shield
Business role

At-Bay offers cyber, technology errors and omissions (Tech E&O), and miscellaneous professional liability insurance. Its disclosed producer, At-Bay Insurance Services LLC, is a property and casualty agency and surplus lines broker; its website says coverage is underwritten by non-admitted insurers. 1,5

Founder Shield is a commercial insurance broker: it helps businesses choose coverage and arrange policies with insurers. Its terms say it does not insure the risk or decide whether a claim is covered. 14,15

Founder Shield operates within The Baldwin Group, which lists it among its acquired firms. Founder Shield describes itself as the group’s innovation arm. 16,17

The terms name The Baldwin Group Specialty Solutions, LLC as the contracting company, but the License Status section identifies Foundershield LLC as the producer. The reviewed records do not resolve which entity would appear on a new engagement; ask for its legal name and applicable license. 15,18,37

New York’s Department of Financial Services reported a $36,600 fine against Foundershield LLC for late filing of excess-line documents for recording and stamping during January 2019–March 2023. The consent order was approved on June 26, 2025. The notice concerns filing compliance, not a finding about claims payments. 37

Customer focus

At-Bay markets Tech E&O to technology businesses. Its current product page states primary and excess appetite up to $5 billion in revenue and $10 million in limits; the broker-platform route has lower published ceilings of $100 million in revenue and $3 million in limits. These are appetite ceilings, not guaranteed offers. 2

A September 2023 Tech E&O appetite PDF still accessible on At-Bay’s site has lower revenue and limit ceilings than the current product page and lists restricted classes including autonomous AI. It should not be treated as current eligibility guidance; ask underwriting for the applicable appetite version. 12,2

Founder Shield focuses on venture-backed and high-growth businesses, from early funding rounds through an initial public offering. Its practices include technology, life sciences, financial services, retail and transportation. 14,19

Application process

At-Bay describes a broker workflow of completing an application, adjusting limits and retentions, reviewing documents, selecting an effective date, and satisfying contingencies and signature requirements before binding. Brokers can also email submissions to underwriting. An online quote is not itself bound coverage. 6,4

The Get a Quote link opens a portal with Create Account and Sign In options. Registration offers Google, Microsoft, or an email address and password. 20,21

Founder Shield advertises an application that takes under 15 minutes. That is an application-time claim, not a guaranteed time to receive insurer terms or put coverage in force. 19

To buy coverage, Founder Shield’s FAQ says you approve a proposal, select a payment method and choose the desired start date. Its team then follows up on documents needing electronic signatures and handles the insurer’s paperwork. 22

Fees and compensation

Stance access uses an Embedded Security Fee and Endorsement, while MDR is separately purchased. Security costs should be distinguished from the insurance premium and any broker charges. 7

Commission rates, broker compensation arrangements and a complete placement-fee schedule were not disclosed in the reviewed product, platform and US terms pages. This does not establish that commissions or fees are absent; request an itemized quote and compensation disclosure. 2,6,10

Founder Shield’s pricing FAQ says quotes generally cover one year, unless stated otherwise, and include the fees and charges for that policy period. It describes full payment, carrier installments and financing through premium-finance companies, depending on the policy and payment arrangement. 35

Founder Shield discloses compensation through commissions, fees or interest and invites questions about the amount and nature of that compensation. Its terms say customer charges will be disclosed in advance. 15

The Baldwin Group’s January 2026 disclosure also describes client fees, commissions tied to volume or profitability, compensation for affiliated placement services, and referral fees from providers such as premium-finance companies. These are possible group arrangements, not a finding that each applies to your Founder Shield policy. 36

Sources

At-Bay Official Website

  1. Cyber, Tech E&O & Professional Liability Insurance. At-Bay; Product cards and agency disclosure. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  2. Tech E&O Insurance Coverage and Policy Highlights. At-Bay; Tech E&O Coverage Highlights; Primary & Excess Appetite; footnotes 1–7; state disclaimer. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  3. Cyber Insurance. At-Bay; Cyber Coverage Highlights; Primary & Excess Appetite. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  4. MPL Insurance: Coverage Highlights & Appetite. At-Bay; MPL Coverage Highlights; MPL Appetite; state restrictions. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  5. Licenses. At-Bay; Producer introduction; California row; agency and surplus-lines footer. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  6. Broker Platform. At-Bay; How it works: Create a quote, Customize your quote, Bind your policy, Manage renewals; FAQs. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  7. At-Bay Stance. At-Bay; Real Protection Against Real Threats; Endpoint, Email, MXDR; footnotes 1 and 3–6. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  8. Claims Handling. At-Bay; At-Bay Cyber Incident Roadmap; The At-Bay Claims Team. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  9. Response & Recovery. At-Bay; Minimize Downtime with One Partner; integration with claims process. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  10. Terms of Service. At-Bay; US terms effective April 11, 2023: Insurance Product Terms; Payment Policy; Service. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  11. At-Bay Begins Issuing Policies on its own E&S Paper. At-Bay; August 9, 2023 release: opening paragraph and new-business transition effective August 7, 2023. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  12. At-Bay Surplus Tech E&O Appetite Guide. At-Bay; Pages 1–2; September 2023 copyright; revenue and limit statements; Restricted classes. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  13. At-Bay Doubles Miscellaneous Professional Liability Appetite. At-Bay; September 28, 2023 release: final paragraph before Media Contacts. Accessed 2026-09-16.

Founder Shield Official Website

  1. Founder Shield. Founder Shield; Opening broker description; Specialized Practices; Smart Tech, Smarter People; quote and sign-in links. Accessed 2026-09-15.
  2. Terms of Service. Founder Shield; Opening agreement; License Status; Representations and Disclaimers Related to Products or Services; Fees and Charges; Void Where Prohibited. Accessed 2026-09-15.
  3. About Us. Founder Shield; Opening description and Charting Your path from MVP to IPO. Accessed 2026-09-15.
  4. Partnerships. The Baldwin Group; Brand-change introduction and 2020–2024 acquisitions list, Founder Shield entry. Accessed 2026-09-15.
  5. List of Subsidiaries as of February 26, 2026. The Baldwin Insurance Group, Inc. (SEC filing); Exhibit 21.1, list as of February 26, 2026: The Baldwin Group Specialty Solutions, LLC, Florida. Accessed 2026-09-15.
  6. Startup Insurance. Founder Shield; Why Startups Choose Founder Shield; Industries We Serve; Essential Policies to Consider; What Coverage Does your Startup Need?. Accessed 2026-09-15.
  7. Quote Portal. Founder Shield; Public landing screen, Create Account and Sign In links. Accessed 2026-09-15.
  8. Create Account. Founder Shield; Public registration screen: Google, Microsoft, email and password options. Accessed 2026-09-15.
  9. How Do I Bind Coverage?. Founder Shield; Jonathan Selby answer, November 25, 2024: proposal approval, payment, effective date and electronic signatures. Accessed 2026-09-15.
  10. How Do You Decide Which Carriers to Approach?. Founder Shield; Jonathan Selby answer, November 25, 2024: appetite, stated rating standard and carrier-selection criteria. Accessed 2026-09-15.
  11. Coverage. Founder Shield; Core Coverage and Specialized Coverage lists. Accessed 2026-09-15.
  12. How Do We Purchase “A La Carte” Commercial Insurance?. Founder Shield; Jonathan Selby answer, November 25, 2024: individual coverages, limits, deductibles and endorsements. Accessed 2026-09-15.
  13. Directors & Officers Insurance. Founder Shield; What Does D&O Insurance Cover?; Major Shareholder Exclusion; D&O Insurance Cost and Enhancements. Accessed 2026-09-15.
  14. Generative AI Liability Insurance. Founder Shield; Who Needs coverage; five coverage categories; Generative AI Liability Policy; exclusions; Speak with a Generative AI Liability Insurance Broker. Accessed 2026-09-15.
  15. AI Liability Insurance for Brokers. Testudo; What does the policy cover? (six insuring agreements); Limits & pricing; target customers; application materials via Broker Platform. Accessed 2026-09-15.
  16. About Testudo. Testudo; What we do; Coverage you can rely on when it matters. Accessed 2026-09-15.
  17. Licenses and Regulatory Disclosures. Testudo; United States entity and non-risk-bearing role; United Kingdom entity disclosure. Accessed 2026-09-15.
  18. How Do I Get a Certificates of Insurance?. Founder Shield; Luke Kaltreider answer, November 25, 2024: email requests, contract wording and endorsement needs. Accessed 2026-09-15.
  19. What If Our Company Grows A Lot or Things Change During the Year?. Founder Shield; Carl Niedbala answer, November 25, 2024: operational changes and coverage adjustments. Accessed 2026-09-15.
  20. The Ultimate Business Insurance Renewal Checklist for Startups. Founder Shield; January 12, 2026; Know Your Part in the Renewal Process; The Early Start Advantage (60–90 days). Accessed 2026-09-15.
  21. Claims. Founder Shield; Our Approach; How We Support Claims Management, steps 1–5; Make a claim link. Accessed 2026-09-15.
  22. What Am I Actually Getting For the Price of Business Insurance?. Founder Shield; Carl Niedbala answer, November 25, 2024: policy period, quoted charges, installments and premium financing. Accessed 2026-09-15.
  23. Transparency & Disclosure. The Baldwin Group; Effective January 1, 2026; How The Baldwin Group is Compensated, including client fees, contingent commissions, affiliate services and referral fees. Accessed 2026-09-15.
  24. Disciplinary Actions Issued August 21, 2025. New York State Department of Financial Services; Page 6 of 12, Region: New York, Foundershield LLC; $36,600 fine; consent order approved June 26, 2025. Accessed 2026-09-15.
  25. Insurance License Search. New York State Department of Financial Services; Producer-search entry point; CAPTCHA prevented an entity-specific result during this review. Accessed 2026-09-15.
  26. License. The Baldwin Group; California entity/license table; neither Foundershield LLC nor The Baldwin Group Specialty Solutions, LLC is listed. Accessed 2026-09-15.
  27. Surplus Lines. National Association of Insurance Commissioners; Background, Issue; updated October 27, 2025: nonadmitted specialized insurers cover risks unavailable in the admitted market. Accessed 2026-09-15.
  28. Content Creator Insurance. Founder Shield; What Is Content Creator Insurance? Media liability coverage for creators. Accessed 2026-09-15.

Updated . Spot, a product of Tools for Enlightenment, publishes this research and works in the commercial insurance market. Editorial policy. To suggest a correction, contact Spot with the page URL and supporting source.

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