Coalition vs 
Cowbell: How Do They Compare for D&O Insurance?
Cowbell’s Zurich D&O module is limited to smaller private companies and distributed through firms Zurich appoints to distribute the module; Coalition offers broker-distributed Executive Risks coverage to private and nonprofit organizations.
Coalition's Executive Risks D&O accepts private companies and nonprofits with up to 1,000 employees and $500 million in assets, with limits up to $10 million per line. Cowbell's Zurich Select Plus D&O module stops at 250 employees and $50 million in assets and publishes no limits. 2,1,3,4
What Are the Key Differences Between Coalition and Cowbell D&O Insurance?
Size Limits: 1,000 Employees vs 250
A 400-employee private company fits Coalition's rules but not Cowbell's. Coalition writes in all 50 states and D.C., and its asset cap also applies to employee-benefit plan assets. 1 Cowbell aims its module at industries such as technology, construction, manufacturing, hospitality and retail. 3 Choose Coalition if you have more than 250 employees, are a nonprofit, or need a published limit up to $10 million; choose Cowbell if you're a smaller private company whose wholesaler already uses Zurich Select Plus. 1 3
How You Buy: Coalition Broker vs Cowbell Wholesaler
Neither sells to you directly. Coalition sells Executive Risks only through appointed brokers. 1 Cowbell gives Zurich-appointed wholesale brokers (specialists your retail broker goes through) platform access to Zurich's Select Plus, and Zurich underwrites the D&O module. 3 4
Built-In HR and Governance Help vs Coverage Only
Coalition includes a risk assessment, a hotline for HR and director issues, employee training, a handbook builder and website compliance tools. 1 Cowbell's page describes only what D&O pays for, such as legal fees, settlements and defense costs, and presents it as a way to attract directors. 3
What Should You Confirm in Coalition and Cowbell D&O Insurance Quotes?
Coalition vs Cowbell D&O Insurance Compared
Coalition vs Cowbell: D&O Insurance: documented features by provider
| Criteria | Coalition Executive Risks — Directors and Officers Liability (D&O) | Cowbell / Zurich Select Plus Private Company D&O |
|---|---|---|
| Who It’s For | Coalition says Executive Risks products, including D&O, are available to private and not-for-profit U.S. organizations in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., with up to $500 million in assets, up to 1,000 employees, and up to $500 million in plan assets. 1Company-reported. Executive Risks FAQ as read on 2026-09-23. | Cowbell targets this D&O module at private companies with under 250 employees and under $50M in assets, in industries such as technology, construction, manufacturing, hospitality, and retail. 3Company-reported. FAQ 'What size accounts are targeted?' and Target industries list. |
| How to Apply | Coalition distributes Executive Risks, including D&O, only through appointed insurance brokers rather than direct to buyers. 1Company-reported. Executive Risks product page as read on 2026-09-23. | This D&O module is accessed only by appointed Zurich E&S wholesalers through the Cowbell platform's API; it is not sold directly to businesses. 3Company-reported. FAQ 'How can I access the Zurich Select Plus management liability product through Cowbell?'. |
| Coverage Features | Coalition says D&O coverage protects company leadership from liability arising from their business decisions, including alleged breaches of duty or financial mismanagement. 1Company-reported. Executive Risks product page as read on 2026-09-23; exclusions and limitations apply per the page footer, and the issued policy controls actual terms. | Cowbell describes D&O liability as protecting the personal assets of directors and officers and the company's financial assets against claims alleging wrongful acts in their capacity as directors and officers. 3Company-reported. FAQ 'What is the difference between management liability and D&O?'. |
| Role in This Line | Coalition designs and distributes D&O as one of four coverages in its Executive Risks product suite, sold through appointed brokers. 1Company-reported. Executive Risks product page as read on 2026-09-23. | Private Company D&O is one module within Cowbell's distribution of Zurich's Select Plus management liability product; Cowbell gives Zurich-appointed E&S wholesalers platform access, and Zurich underwrites the module. Zurich's own page labels this module 'Private Management and Company Liability' rather than plain 'D&O.' 3,4Company-reported. Management liability page intro and module list; Zurich page module-name section. |
| Issuing Insurer | Coalition's disclaimer names Zurich American Insurance Company (NAIC 16535) as the admitted carrier for Executive Risks, and says Coalition Insurance Solutions, Inc. also places Executive Risks with unaffiliated insurers on a non-admitted basis, so the carrier for a specific D&O policy depends on the placement route. 2Company-reported. U.S. Disclaimers page as read on 2026-09-23. | Cowbell and Zurich both say the Select Plus modules, including D&O, are offered on Zurich admitted paper. Zurich's site footer names 'Zurich American Insurance Company' in its copyright notice, but neither page states that entity is the specific policy issuer for this D&O module. 3,4Company-reported. Management liability page intro; Zurich page intro and footer. |
| Risk Services | Coalition says Executive Risks policyholders, including D&O buyers, get a customized risk assessment, a hotline for assistance with HR and director/officer-related issues, employee training, a handbook builder, and website compliance tools. 1Company-reported. Executive Risks page and FAQ as read on 2026-09-23. | Cowbell frames D&O coverage as a way to help attract and retain directors and officers by giving them personal-asset protection, and says the product covers legal fees, settlements, and other defense costs for the company and its management. 3Company-reported. FAQ 'Why does my company need management liability coverage?'. |
