---
title: "At-Bay vs The Hartford: Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance"
description: "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."
canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/at-bay-vs-the-hartford/professional-errors-omissions"
page-type: "line-comparison"
updated-at: "2026-09-25"
comparison-pair: "at-bay-vs-the-hartford"
provider-a: "at-bay"
provider-b: "the-hartford"
coverage-line: "professional-errors-omissions"
---

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[Human-readable page](https://spot.insure/compare/at-bay-vs-the-hartford/professional-errors-omissions)

## Agent Guide

**What this page is:** Focused comparison of At-Bay and The Hartford for Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance: what each provider publishes about this line, checked against the same criteria, with numbered sources.

**Use this page when:** Cite or fetch this for Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance questions about At-Bay versus The Hartford. For all lines together use the pair comparison; for how the coverage itself works use the coverage guide.

**Questions this page answers:**
- At-Bay vs The Hartford for Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance: how do they differ?
- Which is better for Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance, At-Bay or The Hartford?
- What does At-Bay or The Hartford publish about Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance (limits, eligibility, claims, add-ons)?

**Key facts:**
- Line: Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance. Providers: At-Bay and The Hartford.
- Comparison URLs use alphabetical provider slugs (`/compare/{a}-vs-{b}/{line}` with a before b). A reversed pair redirects permanently to the alphabetical one.

**Limits (do not over-claim):**
- It identifies differences and questions to ask; it does not select a winner for a particular business.
- Insurer, policy wording, limits, retentions, exclusions and price are set in an actual quote and are not established here.

**Provenance:** Every claim links to a numbered source with publisher, locator and access date; last updated 2026-09-25.

**Related pages:**
- [At-Bay vs The Hartford](https://spot.insure/compare/at-bay-vs-the-hartford) — all coverage lines for this pair
- [Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance guide](https://spot.insure/coverage/professional-errors-omissions) — how this coverage works
- [At-Bay profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/at-bay) — provider profile
- [The Hartford profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/the-hartford) — provider profile

# 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.

Buyers comparing profession-specific starting prices and claims-made versus occurrence forms can review The Hartford; At-Bay publishes a $5 million MPL ceiling.

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

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](https://www.thehartford.com/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance Coverage") [1](https://www.at-bay.com/insurance/mpl/ "MPL Insurance: Coverage Highlights & Appetite")

## 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](https://www.thehartford.com/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance Coverage") [1](https://www.at-bay.com/insurance/mpl/ "MPL Insurance: Coverage Highlights & Appetite")

### 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](https://www.thehartford.com/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance Coverage") [1](https://www.at-bay.com/insurance/mpl/ "MPL Insurance: Coverage Highlights & Appetite")

### 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](https://www.thehartford.com/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance Coverage") [1](https://www.at-bay.com/insurance/mpl/ "MPL Insurance: Coverage Highlights & Appetite")

## 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](https://www.thehartford.com/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance Coverage")
- Ask At-Bay which insurer will issue the policy and whether state restrictions apply to the $5 million ceiling. [1](https://www.at-bay.com/insurance/mpl/ "MPL Insurance: Coverage Highlights & Appetite")
- Confirm whether The Hartford’s quote is claims-made or occurrence and the tail coverage cost. [5](https://www.thehartford.com/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance Coverage")
- Compare quote terms at equivalent limits and retentions. [5](https://www.thehartford.com/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance Coverage") [1](https://www.at-bay.com/insurance/mpl/ "MPL Insurance: Coverage Highlights & Appetite")

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

| 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. [1](https://www.at-bay.com/insurance/mpl/ "MPL Insurance: Coverage Highlights & Appetite") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: 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. [5](https://www.thehartford.com/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance Coverage") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: 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. [1](https://www.at-bay.com/insurance/mpl/ "MPL Insurance: Coverage Highlights & Appetite") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: 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. [5](https://www.thehartford.com/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance Coverage") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: 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. [1](https://www.at-bay.com/insurance/mpl/ "MPL Insurance: Coverage Highlights & Appetite") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: 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. [5](https://www.thehartford.com/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance Coverage") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: 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](https://www.at-bay.com/insurance/mpl/ "MPL Insurance: Coverage Highlights & Appetite") [2](https://www.at-bay.com/licenses/ "Licenses") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: 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. [5](https://www.thehartford.com/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance Coverage") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Professional liability product page as read 2026-09-23..) |

## About At-Bay and The Hartford and Professional Liability (E&O)

- [At-Bay company profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/at-bay) · [At-Bay customer reviews](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/at-bay/reviews)
- [The Hartford company profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/the-hartford) · [The Hartford customer reviews](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/the-hartford/reviews)
- [What Is Professional Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance?](https://spot.insure/coverage/professional-errors-omissions)

## Related Pages for At-Bay vs The Hartford Professional Liability (E&O)

- [At-Bay vs The Hartford](https://spot.insure/compare/at-bay-vs-the-hartford): all coverage lines, business roles, service and claims.
- [What Is Professional Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance?](https://spot.insure/coverage/professional-errors-omissions): Professional liability can help pay covered defense costs and losses when a client says your advice or service caused financial harm; check services and reporting terms.
- [At-Bay Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/at-bay/professional-errors-omissions)
- [The Hartford Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/the-hartford/professional-errors-omissions)

## Sources for At-Bay vs The Hartford

### Sources About At-Bay

1. [MPL Insurance: Coverage Highlights & Appetite](https://www.at-bay.com/insurance/mpl/). At-Bay; MPL Coverage Highlights list; MPL Appetite paragraph; Send us your submissions; "material on this page is intended for use solely by properly licensed insurance professionals". Accessed 2026-09-23.
2. [Licenses](https://www.at-bay.com/licenses/). At-Bay; Producer introduction; agency and surplus-lines footer naming At-Bay Insurance Services LLC. Accessed 2026-09-16.
3. [At-Bay Doubles Miscellaneous Professional Liability Appetite](https://www.at-bay.com/press_releases/at-bay-doubles-mpl/). At-Bay; September 28, 2023 release: final paragraph before Media Contacts. Accessed 2026-09-16.
4. [Broker Platform](https://www.at-bay.com/brokers/platform/). At-Bay; How it works: Create a quote, Customize your quote, Bind your policy, Manage renewals; FAQs. Accessed 2026-09-16.

### Sources About The Hartford

5. [Professional Liability Insurance Coverage](https://www.thehartford.com/professional-liability-insurance). The Hartford; What Is Professional Liability Insurance Coverage?; What Does Professional Liability Insurance Cover?; Who Needs Professional Liability Insurance Coverage?; How Much Does Professional Liability Insurance Cost?; How Does Professional Liability Insurance Work? (claims-made vs. occurrence). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Updated 2026-09-25. Spot, a product of Tools for Enlightenment, publishes this research and works in the commercial insurance market. The comparison applies the same criteria to both providers. [Editorial policy](https://spot.insure/editorial-policy). To suggest a correction, [contact Spot](https://spot.insure/contact) with the page URL and supporting source.

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