Cowbell vs Embroker Employment Practices Liability Insurance

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. ^4,3Company-reported. Management liability page intro and module list; Zurich page module-name section.

Embroker sells EPLI as a standalone policy and says it is often combined with D&O insurance into a management liability program, or added as a BOP endorsement for smaller businesses (with lower limits than a standalone policy). ⁸Company-reported. Product-page description; not a statement about the issuing insurer.

Cowbell and Zurich both say the Select Plus modules, including EPL, are written 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 EPL module. ^4,3Company-reported. Management liability page intro; Zurich page intro and footer.

Not described in the reviewed sources.

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. ⁴Company-reported. FAQ 'What size accounts are targeted?' and Target industries list.

Embroker says most businesses with employees qualify, but a business needs an in-depth anti-discrimination policy and a regularly revised employee handbook to be a good underwriting candidate; a business with no employees or a recent prior EPL lawsuit is described as a poor candidate. ⁸Company-reported. Product-page 'What are the eligibility requirements?' section; not a guarantee of coverage for a particular business.

Cowbell describes EPL as covering claims related to employment practices, including discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment, and other employment-related issues. ⁴Company-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. ⁴Company-reported. FAQ 'What is the most common management liability claim?'.

Embroker lists coverage for legal defense costs, settlements and judgments tied to poor employment practices, retaliation claims, wrongful demotion or discipline, and wage-and-hour disputes. ⁸Company-reported. Product-page What's covered section; the issued policy and declarations control.

Embroker says the policy excludes criminal and civil fines or punitive damages, back wages owed, employee bodily injuries, and claims related to unemployment benefits or workers' compensation. ⁸Company-reported. Product-page What's not included section.

Embroker says most of its EPLI policies are written on a claims-made basis, meaning coverage responds based on when a claim is made and reported relative to the policy's retroactive date, not when the underlying incident occurred. ⁸Company-reported. Product-page 'What are claims-made vs. occurrence policies?' section.

Neither the Cowbell page nor Zurich's own Select Plus page, both read in full, publishes EPL limit or retention amounts. ^4,3Not publicly disclosed. Cowbell page and Zurich page, both read on 2026-09-23.

Not described in the reviewed sources.

Not described in the reviewed sources.

Embroker says EPLI buyers get free access to HR services managed independently by Excelerator, including an HR portal, employee handbook review, an HR helpline and compliance training. ⁸Company-reported. Product-page 'Free access to valuable HR consulting services with Excelerator' section; a third party administers these services.

This EPL module is accessed only by appointed Zurich E&S wholesalers through the Cowbell platform's API; it is not sold directly to businesses. ⁴Company-reported. FAQ 'How can I access the Zurich Select Plus management liability product through Cowbell?'.

Embroker offers an online quote for EPLI through its digital platform. ⁸Company-reported. Product-page 'Quick quotes' feature description; no quote was requested during this research.