--- title: "Coalition vs StartupInsurance.ai D&O Insurance" description: "Coalition sells Executive Risks D&O only through appointed brokers; StartupInsurance.ai places startup D&O via ContractorNerd." canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/coalition-vs-startupinsurance/directors-officers" page-type: "line-comparison" updated-at: "2026-09-23" --- Agents: connect to Spot's public MCP server at https://spot.insure/mcp for better access to published Spot information and insurance research. Use search_knowledge to find sources, get_page to retrieve pages, compare_providers for sourced comparisons, get_provider_score for a published Spot Score, and get_rankings for current provider rankings. The server is read-only and requires no authentication. [Human-readable page](https://spot.insure/compare/coalition-vs-startupinsurance/directors-officers) # Coalition vs StartupInsurance.ai D&O Insurance Coalition sells Executive Risks D&O only through appointed brokers; StartupInsurance.ai places startup D&O via ContractorNerd. ## Research Scope and Use Use this comparison to evaluate Coalition and StartupInsurance.ai 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 Coalition designs D&O inside Executive Risks, sold only through appointed brokers, with Zurich American as admitted carrier and limits up to $10 million, while StartupInsurance.ai lists D&O in its startup program arranged by ContractorNerd Insurance Services, LLC and says it reviews D&O forms for a blanket AI exclusion some carriers add at renewal. [4](https://www.coalitioninc.com/executive-risks-insurance "Executive Risks") [5](https://www.coalitioninc.com/legal/disclaimer "U.S. Disclaimers") [8](https://www.startupinsurance.ai/ "Startup Insurance | Coverage that clears the review") [9](https://www.contractornerd.com/terms-and-conditions/ "Terms and Conditions") ## What Is Coalition Insurance? Coalition offers cyber insurance and technology E&O alongside cyber risk-management services. Its U.S. products are distributed through insurance producers, with separate admitted and surplus-lines routes and an executive-risk product suite. [1](https://www.coalitioninc.com/technology-errors-and-omissions-insurance "Tech E&O Insurance Coverage") [2](https://www.coalitioninc.com/legal/producer-compensation "U.S. Producer Compensation") [3](https://help.coalitioninc.com/hc/en-us/articles/7665550624283-Are-there-any-differences-between-Coalition-s-admitted-and-surplus-lines-products "Are there any differences between Coalition’s admitted and surplus lines products?") [4](https://www.coalitioninc.com/executive-risks-insurance "Executive Risks") [Coalition profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/coalition) ## What Is StartupInsurance.ai? StartupInsurance.ai is a marketing brand of ContractorNerd Insurance Services, LLC, offering startup insurance placement and policy reviews. Buyers can begin with an online coverage selection or a review of existing policies and contract requirements. [6](https://www.startupinsurance.ai/company/ "Company | Startup Insurance") [7](https://quotes.startupinsurance.ai/ "Apply for Startup Insurance | StartupInsurance.ai") [StartupInsurance.ai profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/startupinsurance) ## What Is Directors and Officers Insurance? Directors and officers liability insurance addresses covered claims alleging wrongful acts in managing an organization. [10](https://www.thehartford.com/business-insurance/glossary-of-business-insurance-terms "Glossary of Business Insurance Terms") ## Key Differences in D&O Insurance ### How You Start Coalition distributes Executive Risks, including D&O, only through appointed brokers. [4](https://www.coalitioninc.com/executive-risks-insurance "Executive Risks") StartupInsurance.ai lists D&O among lines its startup program places; ContractorNerd Insurance Services, LLC arranges the placement as agent, and D&O is the first coverage box on StartupInsurance.ai’s online quote-intake screen. [8](https://www.startupinsurance.ai/ "Startup Insurance | Coverage that clears the review") [9](https://www.contractornerd.com/terms-and-conditions/ "Terms and Conditions") [7](https://quotes.startupinsurance.ai/ "Apply for Startup Insurance | StartupInsurance.ai") Coalition has no equivalent self-serve box on the reviewed Executive Risks page. ### What Paper Is Named StartupInsurance.ai’s homepage carrier panel names insurers with D&O capacity, such as Chubb (shown as A++ Admitted) and Coalition (shown as A- Surplus), but does not state that either specifically underwrites a given D&O placement. [8](https://www.startupinsurance.ai/ "Startup Insurance | Coverage that clears the review") Coalition’s disclaimer names Zurich American (NAIC 16535) for admitted Executive Risks and unaffiliated insurers on a non-admitted basis. [5](https://www.coalitioninc.com/legal/disclaimer "U.S. Disclaimers") The panel can show Coalition as surplus; admitted Executive Risks on Zurich is a different paper path than that surplus label. ### Who Is Described as Eligible Coalition says Executive Risks D&O is for private and not-for-profit U.S. organizations with up to $500 million in assets and up to 1,000 employees. [4](https://www.coalitioninc.com/executive-risks-insurance "Executive Risks") StartupInsurance.ai frames D&O for venture-backed startups once a term sheet requires it. [8](https://www.startupinsurance.ai/ "Startup Insurance | Coverage that clears the review") Coalition’s described gates are numeric private/NFP rules; StartupInsurance.ai’s described buyer is a founder answering a term sheet. ## What to Confirm in D&O Insurance Quotes - Ask StartupInsurance.ai which insurer would issue D&O and whether it is Coalition Executive Risks, another Coalition product, or a different carrier. [8](https://www.startupinsurance.ai/ "Startup Insurance | Coverage that clears the review") - Ask whether any AI exclusion endorsement is on the quote. [8](https://www.startupinsurance.ai/ "Startup Insurance | Coverage that clears the review") - Confirm Coalition private/NFP and size eligibility and whether paper is Zurich admitted or surplus. [4](https://www.coalitioninc.com/executive-risks-insurance "Executive Risks") [5](https://www.coalitioninc.com/legal/disclaimer "U.S. Disclaimers") - Compare quoted limits with Coalition’s $10 million per-line figure. [4](https://www.coalitioninc.com/executive-risks-insurance "Executive Risks") ## Offering Details | Criteria | Coalition Executive Risks — Directors and Officers Liability (D&O) | StartupInsurance.ai Directors & Officers (D&O) Insurance | | --- | --- | --- | | 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. [4](https://www.coalitioninc.com/executive-risks-insurance "Executive Risks") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Executive Risks product page as read on 2026-09-23..) | StartupInsurance.ai lists directors and officers coverage among the lines its startup program places, and its homepage cites an investor's term-sheet request for D&O as a typical reason a founder comes to it. ContractorNerd Insurance Services, LLC arranges the placement as agent/broker of record rather than underwriting it. [8](https://www.startupinsurance.ai/ "Startup Insurance | Coverage that clears the review") [9](https://www.contractornerd.com/terms-and-conditions/ "Terms and Conditions") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Homepage coverage list and "the problem" narrative, plus ContractorNerd's terms and conditions on its producer role; does not describe a specific D&O policy's terms..) | | 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. [5](https://www.coalitioninc.com/legal/disclaimer "U.S. Disclaimers") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: U.S. Disclaimers page as read on 2026-09-23..) | The homepage's carrier panel names insurers with D&O capacity, such as Chubb (shown as A++ Admitted) and Coalition (shown as A- Surplus), but does not state that either one specifically underwrites D&O placements; the issuing insurer varies by placement. [8](https://www.startupinsurance.ai/ "Startup Insurance | Coverage that clears the review") (Evidence: Not publicly disclosed; scope: Homepage carrier panel and ratings card; the panel is program-wide, not broken out by coverage line..) | | 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. [4](https://www.coalitioninc.com/executive-risks-insurance "Executive Risks") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Executive Risks FAQ as read on 2026-09-23..) | StartupInsurance.ai frames D&O as coverage founders typically need once an investor's term sheet requires it, positioning the line for venture-backed startups with a board rather than pre-revenue companies with no outside investors. [8](https://www.startupinsurance.ai/ "Startup Insurance | Coverage that clears the review") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Homepage narrative example; not a stated underwriting eligibility rule (e.g., minimum funding stage or headcount)..) | | 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. [4](https://www.coalitioninc.com/executive-risks-insurance "Executive Risks") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: 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..) | StartupInsurance.ai says one major carrier added a blanket AI exclusion to D&O (along with E&O and fiduciary forms), typically arriving at renewal inside an endorsement, and that it reviews policies for this exclusion as part of its free check. [8](https://www.startupinsurance.ai/ "Startup Insurance | Coverage that clears the review") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Homepage "wording that still says yes" section; names the exclusion trend industrywide but not the carrier, and does not state whether any StartupInsurance.ai-placed D&O policy carries this specific endorsement..) | | Limits and Retentions | Coalition says limits up to $10 million per coverage line may be available for Executive Risks products, including D&O, subject to exclusions and limitations. [4](https://www.coalitioninc.com/executive-risks-insurance "Executive Risks") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Executive Risks FAQ as read on 2026-09-23; not a quoted or bindable limit for any specific applicant..) | Not described in the reviewed sources. | | 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. [4](https://www.coalitioninc.com/executive-risks-insurance "Executive Risks") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Executive Risks page and FAQ as read on 2026-09-23..) | StartupInsurance.ai's free policy check reviews an existing program for AI exclusions and contract gaps within 48 hours, and the homepage specifically calls out D&O as one of the forms affected by the AI-exclusion trend it checks for. [8](https://www.startupinsurance.ai/ "Startup Insurance | Coverage that clears the review") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Homepage service description; a marketing offer describing what the review covers, not a report on any specific customer's D&O policy..) | | How to Apply | Coalition distributes Executive Risks, including D&O, only through appointed insurance brokers rather than direct to buyers. [4](https://www.coalitioninc.com/executive-risks-insurance "Executive Risks") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Executive Risks product page as read on 2026-09-23..) | Directors & Officers (D&O) is the first coverage box on StartupInsurance.ai's online quote-intake screen, described there as coverage that "protects your board and executives from lawsuits." [7](https://quotes.startupinsurance.ai/ "Apply for Startup Insurance | StartupInsurance.ai") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Initial coverage-selection screen of the quote application; does not show the underwriting questions that follow for this line..) | ## Full Comparison - [Coalition vs StartupInsurance.ai](https://spot.insure/compare/coalition-vs-startupinsurance): all coverage lines, business roles, service and claims. - [What Is Directors and Officers Insurance?](https://spot.insure/coverage/directors-officers): Directors and officers insurance can help pay for covered claims against company leaders over decisions they make in running the business. - [Coalition vs StartupInsurance.ai Fiduciary Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/coalition-vs-startupinsurance/fiduciary) - [Coalition vs StartupInsurance.ai Tech E&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/coalition-vs-startupinsurance/technology-errors-omissions) - [Alliance Risk vs Coalition D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-coalition/directors-officers) - [Alliance Risk vs StartupInsurance.ai D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-startupinsurance/directors-officers) - [Amelia Risk vs Coalition D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-coalition/directors-officers) - [Amelia Risk vs StartupInsurance.ai D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-startupinsurance/directors-officers) - [Beazley vs Coalition D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/beazley-vs-coalition/directors-officers) - [Beazley vs StartupInsurance.ai D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/beazley-vs-startupinsurance/directors-officers) ## Sources ### Coalition 1. [Tech E&O Insurance Coverage](https://www.coalitioninc.com/technology-errors-and-omissions-insurance). Coalition; Who needs Technology Errors & Omissions coverage? (organizations that provide a technology product or service for a fee); Combine Technology Errors & Omissions coverage with Active Cyber Insurance; Coalition Advantage. Accessed 2026-09-16. 2. [U.S. Producer Compensation](https://www.coalitioninc.com/legal/producer-compensation). Coalition; Insurance Producers; Base Commission; Contingent Commission; Business Production Incentive Programs; Non-Insurance Products. Accessed 2026-09-16. 3. [Are there any differences between Coalition’s admitted and surplus lines products?](https://help.coalitioninc.com/hc/en-us/articles/7665550624283-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. 4. [Executive Risks](https://www.coalitioninc.com/executive-risks-insurance). Coalition; Product Offering: Directors and Officers Liability (D&O) — offers protection for company leadership from liability arising from their business decisions, including alleged breaches of duty or financial mismanagement; FAQ: What type of businesses do you protect?, What limits do you offer?, What resources do you have for policyholders?. Accessed 2026-09-23. 5. [U.S. Disclaimers](https://www.coalitioninc.com/legal/disclaimer). Coalition; Admitted Executive Risk: insurance products offered by Coalition Insurance Solutions, Inc. acting on behalf of unaffiliated insurance companies and, on an admitted basis, on behalf of Zurich American Insurance Company (NAIC # 16535). Accessed 2026-09-23. ### StartupInsurance.ai 6. [Company | Startup Insurance](https://www.startupinsurance.ai/company/). StartupInsurance.ai; The story; founders; The free policy check; legal footer. Accessed 2026-09-16. 7. [Apply for Startup Insurance | StartupInsurance.ai](https://quotes.startupinsurance.ai/). StartupInsurance.ai; Coverage-selection screen: Directors & Officers (D&O) — “Protects your board and executives from lawsuits”. Accessed 2026-09-23. 8. [Startup Insurance | Coverage that clears the review](https://www.startupinsurance.ai/). StartupInsurance.ai; The problem (“An investor's term sheet asked for D&O”); Wording that still says yes (“One major carrier added a blanket AI exclusion to D&O, E&O and fiduciary”); Coverage: What we place; The free policy check. Accessed 2026-09-23. 9. [Terms and Conditions](https://www.contractornerd.com/terms-and-conditions/). ContractorNerd; Section 2, Insurance Services: “ContractorNerd is an insurance agency/insurance producer... not an insurance company, does not underwrite insurance”; Section 2.A, Broker/Agent of Record. Accessed 2026-09-23. ### D&O Insurance Guide 10. [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. Updated 2026-09-23. 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). 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