Cowbell vs
Gallagher: How Do They Compare for Employment Practices Liability Insurance?
Cowbell distributes Zurich-written EPL to private companies under 250 employees through firms Zurich appoints to distribute the module. Gallagher places EPL with outside carriers and uses predictive models and benchmarking to assess exposure.
Cowbell's Zurich-backed EPL module only covers private companies under 250 employees and $50 million in assets, and you can reach it only through your broker's wholesaler. Gallagher is a broker with no size cap that sizes your limit from EPL and wage-and-hour loss data. 1,2,3
What Are the Key Differences Between Cowbell and Gallagher Employment Practices Liability Insurance?
Small Private Companies Only vs Any Size
Cowbell's EPL module, part of Zurich Select Plus, is for private companies under 250 employees and under $50 million in assets, and only appointed Zurich wholesalers can access it through Cowbell's platform, so you'll need a broker who works with one. Gallagher places EPL with outside insurers and sizes limits using your headcount, employee mix and locations. Choose Cowbell if you're a small private company and your broker can reach it; choose Gallagher if you're over 250 employees or want a broker to shop and size the program. 1 2 3
Third-Party Cover in Cowbell's Module vs Gallagher's Loss Data
Zurich names the module "Employment Practices and Third-Party Discrimination Liability," so customer and vendor discrimination claims are built in. Gallagher describes EPL that responds to class actions and single-plaintiff claims, and benchmarks your limit against EPL and wage-and-hour loss databases, including losses above $1 million going back to 1997. Neither publishes EPL limits. 1 2 3
What Should You Confirm in Cowbell and Gallagher Employment Practices Liability Insurance Quotes?
- Ask Gallagher which insurers it would approach; Cowbell's module is written by Zurich on an admitted basis, meaning state guaranty-fund protection applies. 3 2
- If you're near 250 employees or $50 million in assets, check Cowbell eligibility before you apply. 1 3
- Ask Gallagher how class-action and single-plaintiff claims are treated on the placed form. 3 1
- Get actual limits and the insurer on both quotes. 1 3
Cowbell vs Gallagher Employment Practices Liability Insurance Compared
Cowbell vs Gallagher: Employment Practices Liability Insurance: documented features by provider
| Criteria | Cowbell / Zurich Select Plus Employment Practices Liability | Gallagher Employment Practices Liability (EPL) Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Who It’s For | 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. 1Company-reported. FAQ 'What size accounts are targeted?' and Target industries list. | Gallagher says its EPL exposure modeling accounts for an organization's employee count, employee type and mix, and location of operations, reflecting that EPL claim size correlates with organization size and diversity. 3Company-reported. Group-level executive-and-financial-risk practice page. |
| Coverage Features | Cowbell describes EPL as covering claims related to employment practices, including discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment, and other employment-related issues. 1Company-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. 1Company-reported. FAQ 'What is the most common management liability claim?'. | Gallagher describes EPL coverage as responding to claims such as sexual harassment and wrongful termination, protecting against both class actions and single-plaintiff claims. 3Company-reported. Group-level executive-and-financial-risk practice page; a service description, not a specific policy's insuring agreement or exclusions. |
| Role in This Line | 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. 1,2Company-reported. Management liability page intro and module list; Zurich page module-name section. | Gallagher's Executive and Financial Risk practice places EPL insurance with outside carriers and advises on limits and program design; it does not underwrite the policy. 3Company-reported. Group-level executive-and-financial-risk practice page. |



