At-Bay vs The Hartford: How Do They Compare for Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance?

The Hartford publishes average minimum monthly premiums, from $38 to $239 depending on the product, for accountants, consultants and technology firms. At-Bay publishes a limit: miscellaneous professional liability up to $5 million, aimed at licensed insurance professionals.

The Hartford publishes profession-specific minimum E&O premiums and describes claims-made and occurrence forms; At-Bay publishes a $5 million MPL ceiling without a price. ^5,¹

What Are the Key Differences Between At-Bay and The Hartford Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance?

Compare Starting Prices by Profession

The Hartford publishes minimum monthly premiums for five E&O products, from $38 for healthcare professionals to $239 for architects and engineers. At-Bay publishes a limit ceiling of up to $5 million instead of a price. The Hartford’s figures provide a starting budget, not your quote; compare actual prices at the same limits. ⁵ ¹

Claims-Made or Occurrence

The Hartford says many of its professional-liability policies are claims-made with a retroactive date and extended reporting period, while some are occurrence-based. At-Bay describes its MPL as claims-made-and-reported. Your prior work and the cost to report claims after cancellation can make this distinction material. ⁵ ¹

Get the Quote-Specific Terms

The Hartford sets limits and retentions at quote time. At-Bay’s page gives a ceiling but does not name the insurer for a new policy. Request actual limits, retentions, premium and issuing insurer from both. ⁵ ¹

What Should You Confirm in At-Bay and The Hartford Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance Quotes?

Ask The Hartford which product fits your profession and the actual premium, limit and retention. ⁵
Ask At-Bay which insurer will issue the policy and whether state restrictions apply to the $5 million ceiling. ¹
Confirm whether The Hartford’s quote is claims-made or occurrence and the tail coverage cost. ⁵
Compare quote terms at equivalent limits and retentions. ⁵ ¹

At-Bay vs The Hartford Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance Compared

At-Bay vs The Hartford: Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance: documented features by provider

Criteria	At-Bay Miscellaneous Professional Liability (MPL) Insurance	The Hartford Professional Liability Insurance (Errors & Omissions)
Limits and Retentions	At-Bay publishes an MPL limit ceiling of up to $5 million, with state restrictions that are not detailed on the product page itself. ¹Company-reported. Current appetite paragraph; this is an advertised ceiling, not a guaranteed available limit for any specific applicant.	The Hartford publishes average minimum monthly premiums by product: Misc. Professional Liability Standalone $62, Misc. Professional Liability Endorsement $41, Architects and Engineers Professional Liability $239, Healthcare Professionals Professional Liability $38, and Errors & Omissions Insurance for Technology Companies $146. The page does not publish standard coverage limits or retentions; cost and limits are set at quote. ⁵Company-reported. Company-reported pricing as of 2026-09-23 (page last updated by The Hartford May 4, 2026); premiums are not coverage limits.
Who It’s For	At-Bay says it provides primary MPL for businesses of all revenue sizes with limits up to $5 million, subject to state restrictions and eligibility requirements detailed in a separate MPL appetite guide. ¹Company-reported. Current MPL appetite paragraph; the linked appetite guide's specific eligibility requirements were not independently opened for this record.	The Hartford targets professional liability at businesses that sign contracts requiring coverage, offer professional services directly to customers, or regularly give advice to clients, and lists industries it covers: accountants, consultants, interior designers, advertising agencies, graphic designers, technology professionals and healthcare professionals. ⁵Company-reported. Professional liability product page as read 2026-09-23.
Coverage Features	At-Bay lists MPL coverage highlights including automatic coverage for acquired subsidiaries, claims-made-and-reported coverage, coverage for independent contractors, disciplinary-proceedings defense, a duty-to-defend contract, personal-injury coverage (including emotional distress), punitive damages where insurable, a professional-services definition written for each insured, and an 80/20 hammer clause. ¹Company-reported. Product-page coverage-highlights list; an 80/20 hammer clause is a settlement provision where the insurer pays 80% and the insured pays 20% of costs after the insured declines a recommended settlement. The issued policy and declarations control actual wording, limits and exclusions.	The Hartford says the policy can cover claims of negligence, misrepresentation, inaccurate advice, personal injury (libel/slander) and copyright infringement, plus defense costs. Many of its professional liability policies are written on a claims-made basis with a retroactive date and an extended reporting period (typically 30-60 days, extendable to a year or more for an added cost), though some are written on an occurrence basis. ⁵Company-reported. Professional liability product page as read 2026-09-23. General coverage and policy-form description; the issued policy controls.
Role in This Line	At-Bay markets MPL as one of its own named insurance products, sold through its disclosed producer, At-Bay Insurance Services LLC, with the product page directed at "properly licensed insurance professionals" submitting business rather than at direct retail buyers. ^1,²Company-reported. Current MPL product page and license disclosures; this describes the distribution channel, not who bears the underwriting risk.	The Hartford's professional liability insurance, also called errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, protects businesses when they make mistakes in the professional services provided to clients, including claims that turn out to be baseless. ⁵Company-reported. Professional liability product page as read 2026-09-23.