Coalition vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers

Compare Heffernan’s growth-stage risk-financing advice with Coalition’s cyber and Tech E&O products.

Introduction

A company considering larger deductibles or self-insurance is asking a broader question than which cyber policy to buy. Heffernan’s technology practice markets services for mid- and late-stage firms and discusses self-insurance strategies. Coalition offers digital-risk policies and monitoring. Compare how the policy fits the company’s capacity to absorb losses before comparing the premium alone. 25 24 1 8

Where Each Provider Shines

Where Coalition Shines

  • Combines Tech E&O and cyber coverage for technology businesses. 1
  • Control provides policyholders with monitoring, alerts and remediation guidance. 8

Where Heffernan Insurance Brokers Shines

  • The technology practice markets brokerage to mid- and late-stage companies, including VC-funded, pre-IPO, and globally expanding firms. 19,25,26,20
  • Heffernan describes full-service claims consulting, including workers’ compensation carrier liaison and medical triage. 28,34

Coverage Comparison

Coverage TypeCoalitionHeffernan Insurance Brokers
Builders riskNot listedListed 33
Business owner’s policyNot listedListed 26
Cargo and transitNot listedListed 34,35
Commercial autoNot listedListed 24
Commercial propertyNot listedListed 24
CrimeListed 5Listed 37
Cyber liabilityListed 7Listed 24,27,26
Directors and officersListed 5Listed 24
Employee health and benefitsNot listedListed 29
Employment practices liabilityListed 5Listed 24
Fidelity bondsNot listedListed 37
Fiduciary liabilityListed 5Listed 24
General liabilityNot listedListed 24,26
Hired and non-owned autoNot listedListed 37
Kidnap and ransomNot listedListed 24
Last-mile deliveryNot listedListed 35
Management liabilityNot listedListed 35
Media liabilityListed 18Not listed
Medical malpracticeNot listedListed 36
Professional liability / E&OListed 6Listed 26
Representations and warrantiesNot listedListed 38
Surety bondsNot listedListed 34,31
Technology errors and omissionsListed 1Not listed
TruckingNot listedListed 35
Umbrella and excess liabilityListed 14Listed 35
Workers’ compensationNot listedListed 24,26

Listed products and programs, including policies arranged through insurers or partners. Optional endorsements are discussed in the analysis below. “Not listed” means no separate offering appears in the reviewed catalogue; confirm availability and policy terms with the provider.

Key Differences Between Coalition and Heffernan Insurance Brokers

Alternative Risk Needs a Funding Decision

For buyers trying to control total cost of risk, Heffernan describes loss-sensitive and alternative arrangements including self-insurance, partial self-insurance, large deductibles, and captives. The technology page separately discusses self-insurance strategies for later-stage companies. These are options to evaluate in a proposal, not a standard policy form. 24,25,36

Coalition’s coverage proposal can be one input to that analysis, but its published product description is not a captive or self-insurance feasibility study. Ask the advisor to distinguish insured losses, retentions and separately funded obligations, and to show how the cyber/E&O structure fits the balance sheet. 1

The Fast-Quote Channel Is Not the Technology Practice

Heffernan’s Quick Insure page offers selected personal and short-term business routes; its growth-stage technology process is specialist-led. Coalition’s technology application likewise requires product and contract information and may need underwriting review. Do not use a fast-quote tile to set the expected timeline for a complex software program. 31 25 12

Claims Authority Must Stay Within the Named Program

Heffernan’s marine-cargo page describes a claims division with settlement authority, while its general claims practice describes consulting and advocacy. That cargo-specific authority should not be applied to a technology placement. Coalition describes in-house cyber triage and a shared cyber/Tech E&O claims team. Ask who adjusts each proposed policy, who advocates for the company and whose approval is needed for vendors. 34 28 9 1

What to Confirm in Quotes

Identify whether Heffernan’s small-business or technology team will own the account, the fee for risk-financing work and the losses retained under the proposal. Obtain the full contracting producer name and California authority, plus cyber insurer and claims instructions. A London office or a specialty program’s authority does not establish the route for your California technology policy. 26 19 40 11

Service Comparison

Coalition vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers: documented services and availability

CriteriaCoalitionHeffernan Insurance Brokers
Business role

Coalition combines commercial insurance offerings with cyber risk-management services. In the United States, Coalition Insurance Solutions, Inc. (CIS) is the disclosed insurance producer and surplus lines broker; the issuing insurer is responsible for policy obligations. 2,7

Coalition lists CIS’s California producer and surplus lines license as 0L76155. This is a company disclosure; current license status has not been independently checked with the California regulator. 2

Coalition’s legal page identifies Coalition Incident Response, Inc., doing business as Coalition Security, or independent third parties as security-service providers. Coalition Security does not provide insurance. 2

Heffernan describes itself as an insurance broker and risk manager that shops markets, presents options, and places coverage with insurance carriers. It is not identified in the reviewed pages as the insurer that issues or pays claims on a buyer’s policy. Privacy language says it may share underwriting information with non-affiliated parties to solicit quotations from insurance carriers. 24,27,23,19

Public pages and a 26 August 2026 company release use the name Heffernan Insurance Brokers and display California license number 0564249. They identify F. Michael Heffernan as President and CEO. The reviewed official pages do not print a longer corporate legal name such as an “Inc.” suffix. Confirm the contracting producer name on the engagement agreement and policy. 19,42,20

Heffernan’s current site says it has been independent and employee-owned since 1988. A 2019 SkyKnight Capital announcement described a minority investment that recapitalized Heffernan’s ESOP while management said the firm would retain a culture of employee ownership. Current ownership percentages were not disclosed in the 2026 pages reviewed. 19,20,43

Heffernan Network Insurance Brokers is described as a wholly owned subsidiary, formerly OLI Insurance Services, that acquires or partners with independent agencies. Costero Brokers Ltd. appears as Heffernan’s London location listing. Heffernan Benefit Advisors is the name used on the employee-benefits page. These related names do not by themselves identify the producer or insurer on a California technology policy. 39,40,29,21

Application process

Coalition directs buyers to an appointed insurance broker and offers help finding access if their broker does not offer Coalition. It describes underwriting that considers industry, finances, operations and security posture. 13

Coalition’s broker instructions describe adding Tech E&O during the cyber quote process, supplying a product or service description and answering contract-related questions. Some quotes require review before a price is released. 12

The public commercial path starts with a Contact Us inquiry. The empty form inspected on 16 September 2026 asks for first and last name, email, optional phone, insurance needed, and a description of operations, plus a required choice among Need A Quote, Other, or Would like to speak with someone. Submitting the form does not display a premium or bind coverage. 30

Heffernan tells technology buyers to work with a specialized broker who assesses the business and gathers quotes from insurers. Its cyber team says it determines exposure, shops the market, presents options, and guides coverage selection. Quick Insure is a separate path that markets faster quotes for selected personal and short-term business products. The reviewed pages do not promise a universal quote or binding turnaround for a growth-stage technology program. 25,27,31,30

Access to insurers

Coalition identifies Coalition Insurance Company (NAIC 29530) for admitted cyber and describes CIS as acting for unaffiliated insurers on non-admitted placements. The reviewed sources do not assign a single insurer to every California Tech E&O quote; confirm the named carrier on the quote and policy. 3,2

Heffernan describes shopping multiple insurers rather than issuing policies itself. Named partners on reviewed pages include Thimble Insurance Services for short-term on-demand general liability and a third-party Propeller portal for some surety bonds. Transportation, healthcare, and marine-cargo pages refer to top, major, or exclusive carriers without naming them. Ask for the issuing insurer, admitted or surplus-lines status, and proposed forms on any quote. 27,35,36,34,32,19

Claims assistance

Coalition describes in-house cyber claims triage and assistance attempting to recover stolen funds. Its Tech E&O page says the same claims team manages cyber and Tech E&O claims. These service descriptions do not establish response quality or payment of a particular loss. 9,1

Heffernan describes full-service claims consulting from intake through resolution, including workers’ compensation strategy, carrier liaison, and experience-mod analysis; 24/7 medical triage; and advocacy on general liability, auto, and property claims, including litigation support. The marine-cargo program separately describes a claims division with authority to adjust, settle, and issue payments on that program. These statements document claimed assistance. They do not establish that a claim will be paid or that reported speed or savings figures are independently verified. 28,34

Sources

Coalition Official Website

  1. Tech E&O Insurance Coverage. Coalition; Who needs Technology Errors & Omissions coverage?; Coalition Advantage. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  2. Licenses and Carriers. Coalition; Insurance Licenses: California row; Insurance Carriers; concluding disclosures. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  3. U.S. Disclaimers. Coalition; Non-Admitted Cyber; Admitted Cyber; Admitted and Non-admitted Cyber. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  4. U.S. Producer Compensation. Coalition; Insurance Producers; Base Commission; Contingent Commission; Business Production Incentive Programs; Non-Insurance Products. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  5. Executive Risks. Coalition; Product Offering; FAQ: What type of businesses do you protect?; What resources do you have for policyholders?. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  6. Miscellaneous Professional Liability. Coalition; Why Miscellaneous Professional Liability?; MPL Advantage; Broker Benefits. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  7. Active Cyber Insurance. Coalition; Coverage Advantage: breach response, cyber extortion, business interruption. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  8. Coalition Control. Coalition; How We Help; Policyholder Features; Wirespeed ADR. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  9. Cyber Insurance Claims Experience. Coalition; Pre-Claims Assistance; Claims Advantage. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  10. Where does Coalition offer cyber insurance coverage?. Coalition; United States. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  11. Are there any differences between Coalition’s admitted and surplus lines products?. Coalition; Cyber insurance coverage offered by Coalition: Coverage availability; Coverage offering. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  12. How to add Tech E&O coverage to a Coalition quote. Coalition; Opening; Step 1; Step 2; Last Step. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  13. How do I qualify for and buy cyber insurance from Coalition?. Coalition; Eligibility; broker contact; underwriting paragraphs. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  14. Does Coalition offer Excess coverage?. Coalition; What excess products does Coalition offer, and in what regions?; submissions; claims. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  15. How do Cyber renewals work at Coalition?. Coalition; Opening renewal-path table; Automatic; Express; Standard. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  16. How does Coalition make money?. Coalition; Premium retention and carrier payments paragraphs. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  17. Active Cyber Insurance for Enterprises. Coalition; Introduction; closing eligibility disclaimer. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  18. Coalition AI Coverage. Coalition; Coverage in Action; Deepfake Response; final disclaimers. Accessed 2026-09-16.

Heffernan Insurance Brokers Official Website

  1. Heffernan Insurance Brokers. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; What we offer; Independent since 1988; Built for what’s next; footer copyright and License #0564249; Quick Insure; Get a quote; Propeller bond-portal disclaimer. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  2. Our Story. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Headquartered in Walnut Creek; nationwide presence; founded 1988; employee owned; niche practices including technology. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  3. Our Locations. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Nationwide coverage heading; Walnut Creek corporate headquarters; Bay Area and other California offices; Pacific Northwest, Mountain West, Northeast, Southeast, Honolulu; London Costero listing; footer License #0564249. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  4. Walnut Creek. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Corporate headquarters; founded 1988 in Walnut Creek. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  5. Privacy Statement. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Collection for professional services; disclosure to non-affiliated third parties to solicit quotations from insurance carriers; website content developed in the United States and intended for U.S. users except where otherwise specified. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  6. Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Basic coverages list; corporate and executive protection list; alternative risk capabilities; claims, loss control and risk-management services; industry practice links including Technology and Claims Advocacy. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  7. Technology Company Insurance. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Pre-IPO and venture-funded heading; mid to late stage specialization; global expansion copy; self-insurance strategies; Key Markets list; Why heffernan broker history; Joseph Talmadge practice leader. FAQ treated as educational, not a product catalogue.. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  8. Small Business Insurance. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Sole proprietors to fast-growing companies; types of coverage we can provide; industry list including Technology. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  9. Cyber Security Insurance. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Cyber risk team that determines exposure, shops the market, presents options, and guides coverage selection. FAQ cost ranges treated as educational, not a price schedule.. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  10. Claims Advocacy. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Full-service claims consulting; workers’ compensation strategy and carrier liaison; medical triage; general liability, auto and property advocacy; vendor compliance tools. Outcome and speed claims are company-reported.. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  11. Health Insurance services. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Heffernan Benefit Advisors; large and small group employee benefits, dental, vision, life and disability, voluntary benefits, Medicare; Administration and Advocacy. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  12. Contact Us. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Unsubmitted Contact Form 7: First Name, Last Name, Email, Phone, Insurance Needed, Description of Operations; Select Need A Quote / Other / Would like to speak with someone; Submit. No premium displayed.. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  13. Quick Insure. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Fast quotes for personal and business insurance; business tiles including Short Term General Liability, Surety, Special Event Insurance, Peer-to-Peer Car Rental; Trusted Providers copy without named carriers. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  14. Short-Term General Liability. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Partnership with Thimble Insurance Services for on-demand general liability; eligibility, pricing and coverage may vary by state; non-binding indication disclaimer. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  15. Construction & Contractor Liability Insurance. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; We offer customized builders risk coverage; contractor sectors served. FAQ cost percentages treated as educational.. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  16. Marine Cargo. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Coverage options including marine cargo, E&O and surety bonds; in-house underwriting authority; exclusive access to major insurance carriers (unnamed); dedicated claims division with settlement authority. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  17. Transportation Insurance. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Appointed with top transportation carriers (unnamed); trucking and final mile delivery subsectors; exclusive and sponsored products including auto liability, motor truck cargo, umbrella, workers’ compensation, cyber and management liability. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  18. Healthcare Insurance for Health Care Services. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Medical Malpractice listed among healthcare services; relationships with the nation’s top insurance carriers (unnamed); captives and self-insurance options. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  19. Home Care Business Insurance. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; We offer comprehensive coverage for list including workers’ compensation, general and professional liability, EPL, owned auto, non-owned and hired auto, crime, employee dishonesty bond, cyber, medical billing E&O, and property. “Covering all states” is company-reported, not a verified eligibility schedule.. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  20. Private Equity and M&A. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Representation & Warranty (RWI) Insurance; transactional risk list including contingent, environmental, tax and litigation buyout; HIB Private Equity and M&A Practice. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  21. Heffernan Network Insurance Brokers. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Formerly OLI Insurance Services; wholly owned subsidiary; agency acquisition and perpetuation; exclusive carrier access described for partner agencies. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  22. London, UK – Costero Brokers. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Costero Brokers Ltd. London office listing; full-service London brokerage; link to costerobrokers.com. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  23. Modern Brokerage Solutions. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Independent brokerage; digital document access and service activity status; TrustLayer and Quick Insure mentions; AI workflow claims for claims administration. Outcome claims are company-reported.. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  24. Heffernan Insurance Brokers Acquires Kristin Manwaring Insurance Associates, Inc.. Heffernan Insurance Brokers via PR Newswire; 26 August 2026 release; Walnut Creek; independent brokerage; F. Michael Heffernan, President and CEO; License #0564249 in about block. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  25. SkyKnight Invests in Heffernan Insurance Brokers to Support the Platform’s Continued Growth. InsuranceNewsNet reprint of SkyKnight Capital BusinessWire; 22 July 2019 announcement; minority investment; ESOP recapitalization; Mike Heffernan quote on retaining employee ownership. Historical ownership event; current cap table not independently verified.. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  26. California License Number Search. California Department of Insurance; Search form inspected 16 September 2026; no license-number query submitted; page showed empty search results (“No data”). No status or legal-name conclusion drawn from the empty form.. Accessed 2026-09-16.

Updated . Spot, a product of Tools for Enlightenment, publishes this research and works in the commercial insurance market. Editorial policy. To suggest a correction, contact Spot with the page URL and supporting source.

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