---
title: "Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance vs Counterpart: D&O Insurance"
description: "Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance details investigation and defense features, while Counterpart distributes separate private-company and nonprofit D&O offerings through brokers."
canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance-vs-counterpart/directors-officers"
page-type: "line-comparison"
updated-at: "2026-09-30"
comparison-pair: "berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance-vs-counterpart"
provider-a: "berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance"
provider-b: "counterpart"
coverage-line: "directors-officers"
---

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[Human-readable page](https://spot.insure/compare/berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance-vs-counterpart/directors-officers)

## Agent Guide

**What this page is:** Focused comparison of Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance and Counterpart for D&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 D&O Insurance questions about Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance versus Counterpart. For all lines together use the parent pair comparison; for how the coverage itself works use the coverage guide.

**Questions this page answers:**
- Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance vs Counterpart for D&O Insurance: how do they differ?
- Which is better for D&O Insurance, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance or Counterpart?
- What does Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance or Counterpart publish about D&O Insurance (limits, eligibility, claims, add-ons)?
- What should I confirm in a quote for D&O Insurance from Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance or Counterpart?

**Key facts:**
- Line: D&O Insurance. Providers: Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance and Counterpart.
- Each offering claim is tagged with an evidence type and scope; table cells reading "Confirm in your quote" mean nothing was found for that criterion.
- Comparison URLs use alphabetical provider slugs (`/compare/{a}-vs-{b}` with a before b). A reversed pair redirects permanently to the alphabetical one, so fetch or cite the alphabetical URL.

**Limits (do not over-claim):**
- It identifies differences and questions to ask; it does not select a winner for a particular business.
- "Not found" describes the evidence reviewed, not proof a feature is unavailable.
- 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 in the Sources section; last updated 2026-09-30. Editorial policy: /editorial-policy.

**Related pages:**
- [Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance vs Counterpart](https://spot.insure/compare/berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance-vs-counterpart) — parent: all coverage lines for this pair
- [D&O Insurance guide](https://spot.insure/coverage/directors-officers) — coverage explainer for this line
- [Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance) — provider profile (evidence)
- [Counterpart profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/counterpart) — provider profile (evidence)
- [Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance vs Counterpart Crime Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance-vs-counterpart/crime) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance vs Counterpart Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance-vs-counterpart/employment-practices) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance vs Counterpart Fiduciary Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance-vs-counterpart/fiduciary) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance vs Counterpart General Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance-vs-counterpart/general-liability) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance vs Counterpart Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance-vs-counterpart/professional-errors-omissions) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [AIG vs Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aig-vs-berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance/directors-officers) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [AIG vs Counterpart D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aig-vs-counterpart/directors-officers) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Alliance Risk vs Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance/directors-officers) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Amelia Risk vs Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance/directors-officers) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Aon vs Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aon-vs-berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance/directors-officers) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Aon vs Counterpart D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aon-vs-counterpart/directors-officers) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)

# Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance vs Counterpart: How Do They Compare for D&O Insurance?

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance details investigation and defense features, while Counterpart distributes separate private-company and nonprofit D&O offerings through brokers.

## Research Scope and Use

Use this comparison to evaluate Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance and Counterpart for D&O Insurance against the same documented criteria. It identifies differences and questions to confirm; it does not select a winner for a particular business. Offering claims are what each provider publishes about this line unless marked otherwise. “Not found” describes the evidence reviewed, not proof that a feature is unavailable. Confirm the insurer, policy wording, limits, retentions, exclusions and cost in an actual quote.

## Summary

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance describes investigation and defense counsel terms; Counterpart offers separate private-company and nonprofit D&O products accessed through wholesale brokers. [5](https://www.bhspecialty.com/us-products/us-executive-and-professional-lines/public-company/do-liability-insurance/ "Executive First Directors & Officers Liability Insurance") [9](https://yourcounterpart.com/products/do "Private Directors & Officers Liability Insurance") [10](https://yourcounterpart.com/products/not-for-profit-do "Not-for-Profit Directors & Officers Insurance")

## What Is Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance?

BHSI provides commercial and specialty insurance in the U.S., with product-specific industry lists that include healthcare, energy and technology. Online quote and application submissions are nonbinding. [1](https://www.bhspecialty.com/wp-content/uploads/marketing/Interactive-AAG.pdf "At A Glance") [2](https://www.bhspecialty.com/about-us/ "About Us") [3](https://www.bhspecialty.com/terms-conditions/ "Terms of Service") [4](https://www.bhspecialty.com/asia/singapore-products/berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance-singapore-branch/ "Public Disclosure — Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Singapore Branch")

[Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance)

## What Is Counterpart Insurance?

Counterpart describes a broker-focused platform for small businesses and lists management and professional liability programs. Buyers should compare the named profession, carrier, state, policy wording and any package component on the actual quote. [7](https://yourcounterpart.com/ "Counterpart | Agentic Insurance™") [8](https://yourcounterpart.com/about "About Counterpart")

[Counterpart profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/counterpart)

## What Is Directors and Officers Insurance?

D&O insurance can help pay covered defense costs and losses from claims against company leaders over management decisions. If your organization has a board or executives, check whether the company itself is insured and whether legal bills reduce the limit. [12](https://www.thehartford.com/business-insurance/glossary-of-business-insurance-terms "Glossary of Business Insurance Terms") [13](https://eperils.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/14-02-18480.pdf "The Chubb Primary Directors & Officers and Entity Securities Liability Insurance") [14](https://asset.trvstatic.com/download/assets/pdo-3001.pdf/d66bd58e63c911ee99d14294a32ecb95 "Private Company Directors and Officers Liability Coverage")

## Key Differences in D&O Insurance

### Broker channel and organization type

Counterpart distributes its insurance through producers and surplus-lines brokers, with businesses accessing the program through a wholesale broker. Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance presents Executive First D&O for large commercial and financial firms. A company evaluating these markets should identify the broker relationship and issuing insurer for Counterpart, then confirm whether BHSI’s target-account profile fits its size and sector. [7](https://yourcounterpart.com/ "Counterpart | Agentic Insurance™") [9](https://yourcounterpart.com/products/do "Private Directors & Officers Liability Insurance") [5](https://www.bhspecialty.com/us-products/us-executive-and-professional-lines/public-company/do-liability-insurance/ "Executive First Directors & Officers Liability Insurance")

### What is stated about investigations

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance specifies government-investigation coverage, including informal inquiries without sublimits, plus derivative-action costs and choice of defense counsel. Counterpart describes management-liability claims on its private-company page and maintains a separate D&O offering for nonprofits, but its reviewed record does not give comparable investigation detail. Ask Counterpart’s broker to identify the policy terms for regulatory inquiries and compare them with BHSI’s stated features. [5](https://www.bhspecialty.com/us-products/us-executive-and-professional-lines/public-company/do-liability-insurance/ "Executive First Directors & Officers Liability Insurance") [5](https://www.bhspecialty.com/us-products/us-executive-and-professional-lines/public-company/do-liability-insurance/ "Executive First Directors & Officers Liability Insurance") [9](https://yourcounterpart.com/products/do "Private Directors & Officers Liability Insurance") [10](https://yourcounterpart.com/products/not-for-profit-do "Not-for-Profit Directors & Officers Insurance")

## What to Confirm in D&O Insurance Quotes

- Ask the wholesale broker which insurer and D&O form Counterpart proposes for your company or nonprofit; compare BHSI’s stated large-account appetite. [7](https://yourcounterpart.com/ "Counterpart | Agentic Insurance™") [9](https://yourcounterpart.com/products/do "Private Directors & Officers Liability Insurance")
- Have Counterpart identify whether its selected policy covers informal government inquiries and derivative-demand expenses; ask BHSI how defense counsel choice and investigation costs appear in the final wording. [9](https://yourcounterpart.com/products/do "Private Directors & Officers Liability Insurance") [5](https://www.bhspecialty.com/us-products/us-executive-and-professional-lines/public-company/do-liability-insurance/ "Executive First Directors & Officers Liability Insurance")

## Offering Details

| Criteria | Executive First D&O Liability Insurance | Private Company and Nonprofit Directors & Officers Liability |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Role in This Line | Confirm in your quote. | Counterpart describes itself as distributing insurance through its producer and surplus-lines broker and says businesses access the program through a wholesale broker. [7](https://yourcounterpart.com/ "Counterpart | Agentic Insurance™") [11](https://knowledge.yourcounterpart.com/en/articles/4438791-how-can-i-get-insurance-through-counterpart "How can I get insurance through Counterpart?") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: The cited pages do not map a particular insurer to a D&O quote or state..) |
| Who It’s For | The D&O page names large commercial and financial firms as target accounts. [5](https://www.bhspecialty.com/us-products/us-executive-and-professional-lines/public-company/do-liability-insurance/ "Executive First Directors & Officers Liability Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: U.S. target-account description, not a complete eligibility rule or acceptance commitment..) | Counterpart publishes a private-company D&O product page and a separate D&O page for not-for-profit organizations. [9](https://yourcounterpart.com/products/do "Private Directors & Officers Liability Insurance") [10](https://yourcounterpart.com/products/not-for-profit-do "Not-for-Profit Directors & Officers Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Separate product pages show different marketed segments; eligibility depends on the proposed risk and insurer review..) |
| Coverage Features | The U.S. Executive First D&O page describes coverage for government investigations, including informal investigations of insured individuals without sublimits. [5](https://www.bhspecialty.com/us-products/us-executive-and-professional-lines/public-company/do-liability-insurance/ "Executive First Directors & Officers Liability Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: U.S. D&O product-page summary; the actual policy, definitions, exclusions, conditions, insureds, and state forms control..)<br><br>BHSI says its D&O product covers plaintiffs’ attorney fees and costs for shareholder derivative actions and company costs to investigate derivative demands or actions where no demand is made. [5](https://www.bhspecialty.com/us-products/us-executive-and-professional-lines/public-company/do-liability-insurance/ "Executive First Directors & Officers Liability Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: U.S. D&O product-page summary; do not read as all derivative-action costs covered under every issued policy..) | The private-company D&O page describes protection for management-liability claims and includes illustrative coverage and limit examples. [9](https://yourcounterpart.com/products/do "Private Directors & Officers Liability Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Illustrations and summaries are not policy terms or an available limit commitment..)<br><br>Counterpart separately markets D&O for not-for-profit organizations. [10](https://yourcounterpart.com/products/not-for-profit-do "Not-for-Profit Directors & Officers Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: The retained page summary does not establish a particular nonprofit’s eligibility or the terms of its policy..) |
| Risk Services | BHSI describes full choice of defense counsel for the D&O product. [5](https://www.bhspecialty.com/us-products/us-executive-and-professional-lines/public-company/do-liability-insurance/ "Executive First Directors & Officers Liability Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Company-reported product feature; applicable policy terms and any state-specific requirements remain controlling..) | Confirm in your quote. |

## Full Comparison

- [Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance vs Counterpart](https://spot.insure/compare/berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance-vs-counterpart): all coverage lines, business roles, service and claims.
- [What Is Directors and Officers Insurance?](https://spot.insure/coverage/directors-officers): D&O insurance can protect leaders and, in some policies, the company from covered management claims; company coverage, defense costs and limits differ by quote.
- [Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance vs Counterpart Crime Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance-vs-counterpart/crime)
- [Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance vs Counterpart Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance-vs-counterpart/employment-practices)
- [Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance vs Counterpart Fiduciary Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance-vs-counterpart/fiduciary)
- [Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance vs Counterpart General Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance-vs-counterpart/general-liability)
- [Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance vs Counterpart Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance-vs-counterpart/professional-errors-omissions)
- [AIG vs Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aig-vs-berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance/directors-officers)
- [AIG vs Counterpart D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aig-vs-counterpart/directors-officers)
- [Alliance Risk vs Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance/directors-officers)
- [Amelia Risk vs Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance/directors-officers)
- [Aon vs Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aon-vs-berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance/directors-officers)
- [Aon vs Counterpart D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aon-vs-counterpart/directors-officers)

## Sources

### Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance

1. [At A Glance](https://www.bhspecialty.com/wp-content/uploads/marketing/Interactive-AAG.pdf). Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance; United States section, zero-based PDF pages 49–53 (viewer pages 50–54): product/industry lists on pages 49–50; U.S. disclosure/version footer on page 53 is 2026-8-03 A. The 2026-09-14 A footer is on preceding European page 48, not the U.S. section.. Accessed 2026-09-29.
2. [About Us](https://www.bhspecialty.com/about-us/). Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance; About BHSI; company profile page re-opened through official site on 2026-09-28; company says it is part of National Indemnity group. Accessed 2026-09-28.
3. [Terms of Service](https://www.bhspecialty.com/terms-conditions/). Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance; Important Information Concerning Use of this Web Site, paragraphs 2–4; nonbinding submissions, contracted-agent authority, state variation, product availability and policy-specific terms. Accessed 2026-09-28.
4. [Public Disclosure — Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Singapore Branch](https://www.bhspecialty.com/asia/singapore-products/berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance-singapore-branch/). Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance; Singapore branch public disclosure, Company Profile ¶¶ 1–2; direct page opened 2026-09-28. ¶ 1 identifies BHSIC as a Nebraska-domiciled direct P&C insurer; ¶ 2 states BHSIC is wholly owned by National Indemnity Company, itself wholly owned by Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated.. Accessed 2026-09-28.
5. [Executive First Directors & Officers Liability Insurance](https://www.bhspecialty.com/us-products/us-executive-and-professional-lines/public-company/do-liability-insurance/). Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance; Product Highlights: government investigations, shareholder derivative actions, late-notice qualification, defense counsel selection; Top Targets: large commercial and financial firms, lines 6–19.. Accessed 2026-09-28.
6. [Executive First Private Company Portfolio](https://www.bhspecialty.com/us-products/us-executive-and-professional-lines/public-company/private-company-portfolio/). Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance; Product Highlights: D&O, EPL, Fiduciary, Commercial Crime and Employed Lawyers in one comprehensive form; shared or separate limits to $50m; EPL First services. Top Targets: private companies at $10m+ revenues and listed industries, lines 11–25. Portfolio limit is not a separate line limit.. Accessed 2026-09-28.

### Counterpart

7. [Counterpart | Agentic Insurance™](https://yourcounterpart.com/). Counterpart, Inc.; Current homepage: Quote Online CTA; brokers/small-business audiences; product list; performance claims; legal/footer qualifications, rendered lines 2–52, 55–70, 98–100, 282–287.. Accessed 2026-09-29.
8. [About Counterpart](https://yourcounterpart.com/about). Counterpart, Inc.; Carrier disclosure and Our Story; underwriters named at line 13; company focus lines 22–36. Financial-strength note says ratings are as of 2024-02-26.. Accessed 2026-09-29.
9. [Private Directors & Officers Liability Insurance](https://yourcounterpart.com/products/do). Counterpart, Inc.; Retained provider source: product page sections on covered organizations, coverage, example limits/retentions and capacity; prior access 2026-09-28. Direct reopen failed in this session.. Accessed 2026-09-28.
10. [Not-for-Profit Directors & Officers Insurance](https://yourcounterpart.com/products/not-for-profit-do). Counterpart, Inc.; Retained provider source: product page sections on nonprofit eligibility, coverage and underwriting partners; prior access 2026-09-28. Direct reopen failed in this session.. Accessed 2026-09-28.
11. [How can I get insurance through Counterpart?](https://knowledge.yourcounterpart.com/en/articles/4438791-how-can-i-get-insurance-through-counterpart). Counterpart Knowledge Center; Retained source: article describes wholesale-broker referral route; prior access 2026-09-28.. Accessed 2026-09-28.

### D&O Insurance Guide

12. [Glossary of Business Insurance Terms](https://www.thehartford.com/business-insurance/glossary-of-business-insurance-terms). The Hartford; Directors and Officers Liability Insurance; Errors and Omissions Insurance; Employment Practices Liability Insurance. Accessed 2026-09-16.
13. [The Chubb Primary Directors & Officers and Entity Securities Liability Insurance](https://eperils.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/14-02-18480.pdf). Chubb Group of Insurance Companies; hosted by eperils; I.A–C p.1; I.C p.1; I and III.A–B pp.1–2; VI Reporting pp.3–4. Accessed 2026-09-16.
14. [Private Company Directors and Officers Liability Coverage](https://asset.trvstatic.com/download/assets/pdo-3001.pdf/d66bd58e63c911ee99d14294a32ecb95). Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America; I.A–C p.1; I.C p.1; Header p.1 and VI.A pp.6–7. Accessed 2026-09-16.

Updated 2026-09-30. 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.

## Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Reviews

Review Score: not enough ratings.

The public ratings for Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance are low but thin: Trustpilot shows 2.1 out of 5 from 9 reviews and BBB shows 1 out of 5 from 6. Both mix travel and commercial customers, so we don't count them in a score.

- Trustpilot: TrustScore 2.1 (out of 5); 9 reviews. Trustpilot profile for bhspecialty.com, accessed 2026-09-29. Its small review set mixes travel-policy and other customer accounts; it is user-generated and unverified, and does not establish commercial-policy outcomes or representativeness. Period: Displayed when checked 2026-09-29. Checked 2026-09-29. [Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Reviews](https://www.trustpilot.com/review/bhspecialty.com)
- BBB: Customer review average 1 (out of 5 stars); 6 reviews. BBB page for BHSI headquarters and corporate-owned locations, accessed 2026-09-29. The page’s six customer reviews mix travel and commercial narratives; BBB says third-party information is not verified. BBB’s business letter grade is separate from these customer reviews. Period: Displayed when checked 2026-09-29. Checked 2026-09-29. [Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance — BBB Reviews](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/boston/profile/insurance-agency/berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance-0021-439678/customer-reviews)

Reviewed 2026-09-29. [Read the sourced review](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/berkshire-hathaway-specialty-insurance/reviews).

## Counterpart Reviews

Review Score: not enough ratings.

We found no independent customer rating of Counterpart, so it has no Review Score. Its Trustpilot page shows no reviews, and BBB has no matching business.



Reviewed 2026-09-29. [Read the sourced review](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/counterpart/reviews).

## Agent and Developer Resources

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- [MCP server manifest](https://spot.insure/server.json)
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- [Public page index](https://spot.insure/llms.txt)
