---
title: "Counterpart vs Founder Shield: D&O Insurance"
description: "Founder Shield describes a typical $5–10 million market base layer, not a specific offer; Counterpart publishes separate private-company and nonprofit D&O pages."
canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/counterpart-vs-foundershield/directors-officers"
page-type: "line-comparison"
updated-at: "2026-10-01"
comparison-pair: "counterpart-vs-foundershield"
provider-a: "counterpart"
provider-b: "foundershield"
coverage-line: "directors-officers"
---

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, get_rankings for current provider rankings, search_provider_reliability to filter Spot Scores, search_provider_reviews to filter aggregate review scores, and get_provider_reviews for the original review evidence. The server is read-only and requires no authentication.

[Human-readable page](https://spot.insure/compare/counterpart-vs-foundershield/directors-officers)

## Agent Guide

**What this page is:** Focused comparison of Counterpart and Founder Shield 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 Counterpart versus Founder Shield. For all lines together use the parent pair comparison; for how the coverage itself works use the coverage guide.

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

**Key facts:**
- Line: D&O Insurance. Providers: Counterpart and Founder Shield.
- 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 2026-10-01. Editorial policy: /editorial-policy.

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

# Counterpart vs Founder Shield: How Do They Compare for D&O Insurance?

Founder Shield describes a typical $5–10 million market base layer, not a specific offer; Counterpart publishes separate private-company and nonprofit D&O pages.

## How to Use the Counterpart vs Founder Shield D&O Insurance Comparison

Use this comparison to evaluate Counterpart and Founder Shield 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.

## Counterpart vs Founder Shield D&O Insurance Summary

Founder Shield's page describes a typical $5–10 million combined A/B/C market base layer, not its own limit offer; Counterpart markets distinct private-company and nonprofit D&O pages. [3](https://yourcounterpart.com/products/do "Private Directors & Officers Liability Insurance") [4](https://yourcounterpart.com/products/not-for-profit-do "Not-for-Profit Directors & Officers Insurance") [11](https://foundershield.com/coverage/directors-and-officers-insurance/ "Directors & Officers 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. [1](https://yourcounterpart.com/ "Counterpart | Agentic Insurance™") [2](https://yourcounterpart.com/about "About Counterpart")

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

## What Is Founder Shield Insurance?

Founder Shield is a broker for venture-backed startups: you apply online in under 15 minutes, and an advisor shops its 200+ carrier markets to build a program that changes as your products and locations change. It doesn't insure you itself, so ask which insurer carries each policy. [6](https://foundershield.com/ "Founder Shield") [7](https://foundershield.com/startup-insurance/ "Startup Insurance") [8](https://foundershield.com/insurance-faqs/general-faqs/how-do-you-decide-which-carriers-to-approach/ "How Do You Decide Which Carriers to Approach?") [9](https://foundershield.com/insurance-faqs/general-faqs/what-if-our-company-grows-a-lot-or-things-change-during-the-year/ "What If Our Company Grows A Lot or Things Change During the Year?") [10](https://foundershield.com/terms-of-service/ "Terms of Service")

[Founder Shield profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/foundershield)

## 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. [13](https://www.thehartford.com/business-insurance/glossary-of-business-insurance-terms "Glossary of Business Insurance Terms") [14](https://eperils.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/14-02-18480.pdf "The Chubb Primary Directors & Officers and Entity Securities Liability Insurance") [15](https://asset.trvstatic.com/download/assets/pdo-3001.pdf/d66bd58e63c911ee99d14294a32ecb95 "Private Company Directors and Officers Liability Coverage")

## What Are the Key Differences Between Counterpart and Founder Shield D&O Insurance?

### Market Context and Segment Pages

Founder Shield's D&O page describes a typical market base layer of $5–10 million combined across Side A, B, and C, while stating that actual limits are set on the quote rather than naming an amount it offers. Counterpart publishes separate private-company and nonprofit D&O pages; its private-company page includes illustrative coverage and limit examples. Buyers should keep market context and product illustrations separate from proposed terms and request the actual schedule from each placement. [11](https://foundershield.com/coverage/directors-and-officers-insurance/ "Directors & Officers Insurance") [3](https://yourcounterpart.com/products/do "Private Directors & Officers Liability Insurance") [4](https://yourcounterpart.com/products/not-for-profit-do "Not-for-Profit Directors & Officers Insurance")

### Placement and Carrier Selection

Founder Shield describes Side A, B, and C: direct protection for leaders when the company cannot indemnify them, reimbursement to the company for indemnification, and entity coverage. Counterpart's private-company page describes management-claim protection and illustrative coverage and limit examples, with a separate page marketed to nonprofits. A board should compare the proposed insured-person and entity provisions rather than assume that general program descriptions define its policy. [11](https://foundershield.com/coverage/directors-and-officers-insurance/ "Directors & Officers Insurance") [3](https://yourcounterpart.com/products/do "Private Directors & Officers Liability Insurance") [4](https://yourcounterpart.com/products/not-for-profit-do "Not-for-Profit Directors & Officers Insurance")

## What Should You Confirm in Counterpart and Founder Shield D&O Insurance Quotes?

- What limit will Founder Shield actually place for this risk, and which carrier's rating and name will appear on the declarations? [11](https://foundershield.com/coverage/directors-and-officers-insurance/ "Directors & Officers Insurance") [8](https://foundershield.com/insurance-faqs/general-faqs/how-do-you-decide-which-carriers-to-approach/ "How Do You Decide Which Carriers to Approach?")
- Which Counterpart segment will the wholesale broker submit, and which insurer and limit will the quote identify? [3](https://yourcounterpart.com/products/do "Private Directors & Officers Liability Insurance") [4](https://yourcounterpart.com/products/not-for-profit-do "Not-for-Profit Directors & Officers Insurance") [5](https://knowledge.yourcounterpart.com/en/articles/4438791-how-can-i-get-insurance-through-counterpart "How can I get insurance through Counterpart?")

## Counterpart vs Founder Shield D&O Insurance Compared

| Criteria | Private Company and Nonprofit Directors & Officers Liability | Founder Shield Directors & Officers Insurance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Role in This Line | Counterpart describes itself as distributing insurance through its producer and surplus-lines broker and says businesses access the program through a wholesale broker. [1](https://yourcounterpart.com/ "Counterpart | Agentic Insurance™") [5](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..) | Founder Shield is a retail insurance brokerage, described on its site as “the innovation arm of The Baldwin Group,” and places Founder Shield Directors & Officers Insurance with third-party carriers rather than underwriting the policy itself. [12](https://foundershield.com/about-us/ "About Us") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: About-us page; applies to Founder Shield's brokerage model generally, restated here for this line..) |
| Issuing Insurer | Confirm in your quote. | Founder Shield says it places policies, including Founder Shield Directors & Officers Insurance, only with carriers rated A- or better by AM Best, chosen for the client's industry. It does not name the issuing insurer for this line; that depends on which carrier the policy is placed with. [8](https://foundershield.com/insurance-faqs/general-faqs/how-do-you-decide-which-carriers-to-approach/ "How Do You Decide Which Carriers to Approach?") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: General carrier-selection FAQ, not specific to this line's placements..) |
| Who It’s For | Counterpart publishes a private-company D&O product page and a separate D&O page for not-for-profit organizations. [3](https://yourcounterpart.com/products/do "Private Directors & Officers Liability Insurance") [4](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..) | Founder Shield targets D&O at public and private businesses, venture-backed companies (it says almost every institutional term sheet requires the coverage), and businesses owing more than $1 million to creditors. [11](https://foundershield.com/coverage/directors-and-officers-insurance/ "Directors & Officers Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Directors & Officers Insurance product page..) |
| Coverage Features | The private-company D&O page describes protection for management-liability claims and includes illustrative coverage and limit examples. [3](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. [4](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..) | Founder Shield describes a three-part structure: Side A pays individual directors/officers directly when the company cannot or will not indemnify them, Side B reimburses the company for indemnification it pays, and Side C provides entity coverage for the company itself. [11](https://foundershield.com/coverage/directors-and-officers-insurance/ "Directors & Officers Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Product page; the issued policy and declarations control actual coverage..) |
| Limits and Retentions | Confirm in your quote. | Founder Shield's page describes a typical market base layer of $5 million to $10 million in combined A-B-C coverage, but does not publish a specific limit Founder Shield itself offers; actual limits are set on the quote. [11](https://foundershield.com/coverage/directors-and-officers-insurance/ "Directors & Officers Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: General market description on the product page, not a stated Founder Shield minimum or maximum..) |
| How to Apply | Confirm in your quote. | You request Founder Shield Directors & Officers Insurance through Founder Shield's website or an insurance advisor rather than binding coverage directly; Founder Shield says its placement team then approaches carriers on the client's behalf. [12](https://foundershield.com/about-us/ "About Us") [8](https://foundershield.com/insurance-faqs/general-faqs/how-do-you-decide-which-carriers-to-approach/ "How Do You Decide Which Carriers to Approach?") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: About-us and carrier-selection pages describe the general placement process, not a line-specific application form..) |

## Related Pages for Counterpart vs Founder Shield D&O Insurance

- [Counterpart vs Founder Shield](https://spot.insure/compare/counterpart-vs-foundershield): 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.
- [Counterpart vs Founder Shield Crime Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/counterpart-vs-foundershield/crime)
- [Counterpart vs Founder Shield Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/counterpart-vs-foundershield/employment-practices)
- [Counterpart vs Founder Shield Fiduciary Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/counterpart-vs-foundershield/fiduciary)
- [Counterpart vs Founder Shield General Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/counterpart-vs-foundershield/general-liability)
- [Counterpart vs Founder Shield Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/counterpart-vs-foundershield/professional-errors-omissions)
- [AIG vs Counterpart D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aig-vs-counterpart/directors-officers)
- [AIG vs Founder Shield D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aig-vs-foundershield/directors-officers)
- [Alliance Risk vs Counterpart D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-counterpart/directors-officers)
- [Alliance Risk vs Founder Shield D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-foundershield/directors-officers)
- [Amelia Risk vs Counterpart D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-counterpart/directors-officers)
- [Amelia Risk vs Founder Shield D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-foundershield/directors-officers)

## Sources for Counterpart vs Founder Shield D&O Insurance

### Sources About Counterpart

1. [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.
2. [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.
3. [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.
4. [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.
5. [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.

### Sources About Founder Shield

6. [Founder Shield](https://foundershield.com/). Founder Shield; Opening broker description; Specialized Practices; Smart Tech, Smarter People; quote and sign-in links. Accessed 2026-09-15.
7. [Startup Insurance](https://foundershield.com/startup-insurance/). Founder Shield; What Coverage Does your Startup Need?; Why Startups Choose Founder Shield; Industries We Serve; Essential Policies to Consider section. Accessed 2026-09-15.
8. [How Do You Decide Which Carriers to Approach?](https://foundershield.com/insurance-faqs/general-faqs/how-do-you-decide-which-carriers-to-approach/). Founder Shield; FAQ answer on carrier selection: works exclusively with A-rated (AM Best) carriers, matched by industry appetite. Accessed 2026-09-23.
9. [What If Our Company Grows A Lot or Things Change During the Year?](https://foundershield.com/insurance-faqs/general-faqs/what-if-our-company-grows-a-lot-or-things-change-during-the-year/). Founder Shield; Carl Niedbala answer, November 25, 2024: operational changes and coverage adjustments. Accessed 2026-09-15.
10. [Terms of Service](https://foundershield.com/terms-of-service/). Founder Shield; Opening agreement; License Status; Representations and Disclaimers Related to Products or Services; Fees and Charges; Void Where Prohibited. Accessed 2026-09-15.
11. [Directors & Officers Insurance](https://foundershield.com/coverage/directors-and-officers-insurance/). Founder Shield; What Is D&O Insurance; Who Needs D&O Insurance Coverage; What Does D&O Insurance Cover?. Accessed 2026-09-23.
12. [About Us](https://foundershield.com/about-us/). Founder Shield; “Founder Shield is the innovation arm of The Baldwin Group”; company history and mission. Accessed 2026-09-23.

### Sources for the D&O Insurance Guide

13. [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.
14. [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.
15. [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 2026-10-01. 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.

## Counterpart Review Scores for 2026

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).

## Founder Shield Review Scores for 2026

Review Score: 7.4 / 10 from 1 rated source, equally weighted.

Founder Shield has too little independent customer feedback for a reliable verdict. One positive Trustpilot review does not establish a service track record.

- Trustpilot: TrustScore 3.7 (5 stars); 1 reviews. Trustpilot profile for foundershield.com; one US customer review, categorized as insurance broker/business insurance. Period: Review 2023-03-14; none in prior 12 months. Checked 2026-09-25. [foundershield.com Reviews | Trustpilot](https://www.trustpilot.com/review/foundershield.com)

Reviewed 2026-09-25. [Read the sourced review](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/foundershield/reviews).

## Agent and Developer Resources

- [Markdown page](https://spot.insure/compare/counterpart-vs-foundershield/directors-officers.md)
- [Developer resources](https://spot.insure/developers)
- [Public MCP server](https://spot.insure/mcp)
- [MCP server manifest](https://spot.insure/server.json)
- [OpenAPI description](https://spot.insure/openapi.json)
- [Public page index](https://spot.insure/llms.txt)