CFC vs 
Cowbell: How Do They Compare for Employment Practices Liability Insurance?
CFC includes EPL and lists a California eligibility limit; Cowbell makes EPL available to private companies only through Zurich-appointed wholesalers.
You can’t buy EPL alone from either: CFC includes it only in its US management liability package and declines California-based and public companies. Cowbell’s EPL module is limited to private companies under 250 employees and $50 million in assets. 1,5,6
What Are the Key Differences Between CFC and Cowbell Employment Practices Liability Insurance?
Who Qualifies: California and Public Companies vs a 250-Employee Cap
CFC declines California-based companies and US public companies for the package that carries EPL. Cowbell’s module targets private companies under 250 employees and $50 million in assets, in industries such as retail, hospitality and manufacturing. If you’re headquartered in California, CFC is out; if you have more than 250 employees, Cowbell is out. 1 5
A Package Bought Through Your Broker vs a Module Only Wholesalers Can Quote
CFC writes EPL only inside its US Management Liability package, never on its own. Cowbell runs the platform for Zurich’s Select Plus product, which Zurich underwrites; only appointed Zurich wholesalers can quote it through Cowbell, not businesses directly. Choose CFC if you’re a larger private company outside California that wants EPL with D&O; choose Cowbell if you’re under 250 employees and your broker can reach Zurich’s wholesalers. 1 5 6
Optional Extras vs Third-Party Discrimination Built In
CFC covers the company, directors, officers, managers and employees for employee or third-party claims, with optional wage-and-hour, immigration-investigation and workplace-violence costs. Cowbell’s module is named Employment Practices and Third-Party Discrimination Liability, so it covers discrimination claims from customers and other non-employees as well as staff. Neither publishes EPL limits or retentions. 1 6 5
What Should You Confirm in CFC and Cowbell Employment Practices Liability Insurance Quotes?
- Ask your broker whether it can reach a Zurich wholesaler for Select Plus; CFC needs a management liability submission instead. 5 1
- Ask which company issues each policy. Cowbell’s module is written by Zurich as a standard, state-licensed insurer; CFC doesn’t name its US issuer. 6 3
- Ask whether CFC’s package shares one limit across its coverages, which leaves less for an employee claim after a D&O loss. 1
- Get wage-and-hour terms and dollar limits from both; neither public page prints them. 1 5
CFC vs Cowbell Employment Practices Liability Insurance Compared
CFC vs Cowbell: Employment Practices Liability Insurance: documented features by provider
| Criteria | CFC Employment Practices Liability | Cowbell / Zurich Select Plus Employment Practices Liability |
|---|---|---|
| Who It’s For | CFC's brochure lists California-domiciled business and US publicly traded companies among the risks it declines for the package that carries this EPL coverage. 1Company-reported. Brochure's 'What we decline' list; underwriting still applies to any individual business. | Cowbell targets this EPL module at private companies with under 250 employees and under $50M in assets, across industries such as retail, hospitality, and manufacturing. 5Company-reported. FAQ 'What size accounts are targeted?' and Target industries list. |
| Coverage Features | CFC says its employment practices liability section gives cover to the entity, directors, officers, management personnel and employees for claims brought by employees or third parties. 1Company-reported. Brochure's 'Employment practices liability' description; the issued policy wording determines who and what is actually covered. CFC says it can include cover for wage and hour violations, immigration investigations, and costs following a workplace violence event as part of employment practices liability. 1Company-reported. Brochure's 'Employment practices liability' description and 'What else is in the policy?' list; availability of each extension depends on underwriting. | Cowbell describes EPL as covering claims related to employment practices, including discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment, and other employment-related issues. 5Company-reported. FAQ 'What is the difference between management liability and D&O?'. Cowbell says EPL claims are the most common type of management liability claim overall, most frequently alleging discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment, or retaliation for a legally protected activity such as filing a complaint or whistleblowing. 5Company-reported. FAQ 'What is the most common management liability claim?'. |
| Role in This Line | CFC includes employment practices liability only inside its US Management Liability package. Its brochure lists 'standalone EPL' among the risks it declines, so a business cannot buy this coverage from CFC on its own. 1Company-reported. Brochure's 'What we decline' list, which pairs standalone EPL with California-domiciled business as declined risks. | Employment practices liability (EPL) is one module within Cowbell's distribution of Zurich's Select Plus management liability product; Cowbell operates the platform, Zurich underwrites. Zurich's own page names this module 'Employment Practices and Third-Party Discrimination Liability,' broader than the plain 'EPL' shorthand Cowbell's FAQ uses. 5,6Company-reported. Management liability page intro and module list; Zurich page module-name section. |
