---
title: "Cowbell vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Employment Practices Liability Insurance"
description: "Cowbell’s Zurich EPL module is wholesale-only for smaller private companies; Heffernan places EPL for home-care and family offices."
canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-heffernan/employment-practices"
page-type: "line-comparison"
updated-at: "2026-09-23"
---

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[Human-readable page](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-heffernan/employment-practices)

# Cowbell vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Employment Practices Liability Insurance

Cowbell’s Zurich EPL module is wholesale-only for smaller private companies; Heffernan places EPL for home-care and family offices.

## Research Scope and Use

Use this comparison to evaluate Cowbell and Heffernan Insurance Brokers for Employment Practices Liability 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

Cowbell distributes Zurich’s Employment Practices and Third-Party Discrimination Liability module on admitted paper through appointed E&S wholesalers, for private companies under 250 employees and $50 million in assets. Heffernan brokers EPL inside general business, home-care and family-office programs, and a 2016 article discusses wage-and-hour coverage, a 100% hammer clause and immigration endorsements. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") [3](https://www.zurichna.com/insurance/excess-and-surplus/small-business-management-liability "Small and Midsize Business Management Liability | Zurich Select Plus") [7](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage") [8](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/health-care/homecare/ "Home Care Business Insurance") [9](https://www.heffins.com/family-office/ "Family Office") [11](https://www.heffins.com/employment-practices-liability-101-what-you-need-know/ "Employment Practices Liability 101: What You Need to Know")

## What Is Cowbell Insurance?

Cowbell is a specialty-insurance platform and agency focused on cyber risk for small and midsize businesses. Its U.S. catalogue also includes combined Technology E&O and cyber products and a Zurich management-liability offering distributed through appointed wholesalers. [1](https://cowbell.insure/ "Cowbell") [2](https://cowbell.insure/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/CB-US-PrimeTech-Overview-1.pdf "Prime Tech Product Overview") [3](https://www.zurichna.com/insurance/excess-and-surplus/small-business-management-liability "Small and Midsize Business Management Liability | Zurich Select Plus")

[Cowbell profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/cowbell)

## What Is Heffernan Insurance Brokers?

Heffernan Insurance Brokers is an independent, Walnut Creek–headquartered retail brokerage that arranges business insurance, employee benefits, and related services. Its technology practice markets to mid- and late-stage companies, including venture-funded and pre-IPO firms. [5](https://www.heffins.com/about-us/our-story/ "Our Story") [6](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/technology/ "Technology Company Insurance") [7](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage")

[Heffernan Insurance Brokers profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/heffernan)

## What Is Employment Practices Liability Insurance?

Employment practices liability insurance addresses claims alleging workplace wrongdoing, such as discrimination, harassment and wrongful termination. [12](https://www.iii.org/article/employment-practices-liability-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance")

## Key Differences in Employment Practices Liability Insurance

### Who Underwrites and How You Reach the Market

Cowbell distributes Zurich Select Plus; Zurich underwrites the EPL module, and appointed Zurich E&S wholesalers access it through Cowbell’s API. Heffernan shops and places EPL with insurers rather than underwriting, and its reviewed materials describe no EPL-specific online quote—buyers use the general business-insurance contact route. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") [3](https://www.zurichna.com/insurance/excess-and-surplus/small-business-management-liability "Small and Midsize Business Management Liability | Zurich Select Plus") [7](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage")

### Industries and Size

Cowbell lists retail, hospitality and manufacturing among target industries for private companies under 250 employees and $50 million in assets. Heffernan lists EPL for general business, home-care agencies and family offices and financial firms, without publishing that same size band. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") [7](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage") [8](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/health-care/homecare/ "Home Care Business Insurance") [9](https://www.heffins.com/family-office/ "Family Office")

### Coverage Language in Current Materials

Zurich names the Cowbell-distributed module “Employment Practices and Third-Party Discrimination Liability,” and Cowbell’s FAQs describe discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment and other employment-related issues. Heffernan’s current brokerage listings do not publish a matching insuring-agreement list for EPL it places now. [3](https://www.zurichna.com/insurance/excess-and-surplus/small-business-management-liability "Small and Midsize Business Management Liability | Zurich Select Plus") [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") [7](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage")

### 2016 Heffernan Commentary (Not a Current Form)

A 2016 Heffernan article says EPL policies are modular and recommends asking for wage-and-hour coverage, a 100% hammer clause and an immigration endorsement, with wage-and-hour sublimits then often around $100,000. That is historical commentary, not a current Heffernan or Cowbell policy. Cowbell’s FAQs do not discuss hammer clauses or immigration endorsements. [11](https://www.heffins.com/employment-practices-liability-101-what-you-need-know/ "Employment Practices Liability 101: What You Need to Know") [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises")

## What to Confirm in Employment Practices Liability Insurance Quotes

- Ask Heffernan whether current EPL forms still offer wage-and-hour, 100% hammer and immigration wording. [11](https://www.heffins.com/employment-practices-liability-101-what-you-need-know/ "Employment Practices Liability 101: What You Need to Know")
- Confirm Select Plus is available only via an appointed Zurich E&S wholesaler, and which Zurich company would appear on the policy. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") [3](https://www.zurichna.com/insurance/excess-and-surplus/small-business-management-liability "Small and Midsize Business Management Liability | Zurich Select Plus")
- If you are a home-care agency or family office, ask Heffernan about those practices versus Cowbell’s retail, hospitality and manufacturing targeting. [8](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/health-care/homecare/ "Home Care Business Insurance") [9](https://www.heffins.com/family-office/ "Family Office") [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises")
- Get limits from both quotes; Cowbell, Zurich and Heffernan’s current brokerage materials do not publish EPL limits. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") [11](https://www.heffins.com/employment-practices-liability-101-what-you-need-know/ "Employment Practices Liability 101: What You Need to Know")

## Offering Details

| Criteria | Cowbell / Zurich Select Plus Employment Practices Liability | Heffernan Employment Practices Liability Insurance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") [3](https://www.zurichna.com/insurance/excess-and-surplus/small-business-management-liability "Small and Midsize Business Management Liability | Zurich Select Plus") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Management liability page intro and module list; Zurich page module-name section..) | Heffernan places employment practices liability (EPL) coverage as part of its corporate and executive-protection lineup within its general business-insurance brokerage. It shops and places the policy with insurers rather than underwriting it. [7](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Business Insurance Brokerage page listing; no policy form or dedicated EPL product page was found..) |
| 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](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") [3](https://www.zurichna.com/insurance/excess-and-surplus/small-business-management-liability "Small and Midsize Business Management Liability | Zurich Select Plus") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Management liability page intro; Zurich page intro and footer..) | The reviewed pages do not name the insurer or insurers that issue EPL policies Heffernan places. [7](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage") (Evidence: Not publicly disclosed; scope: Business Insurance Brokerage page as read on 2026-09-23..) |
| 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. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: FAQ 'What size accounts are targeted?' and Target industries list..) | EPL appears in three separate parts of Heffernan's site: the general business-insurance page, the home-care agency practice, and the family-office/financial-firm practice, indicating it is offered to a range of business types rather than one narrow niche. [7](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage") [8](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/health-care/homecare/ "Home Care Business Insurance") [9](https://www.heffins.com/family-office/ "Family Office") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Direct practice-page listings; the pages do not publish a minimum size or industry restriction for EPL specifically..) |
| Coverage Features | Cowbell describes EPL as covering claims related to employment practices, including discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment, and other employment-related issues. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: FAQ 'What is the difference between management liability and D&O?'..)<br><br>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. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: FAQ 'What is the most common management liability claim?'..) | In a 2016 article, Heffernan advisor Tanner Fornesi says EPL policies are modular and recommends buyers specifically request wage-and-hour coverage, a 100% hammer clause (so the insurer, not the policyholder, bears settlement costs above an offer the policyholder declines), and an immigration claim endorsement. [11](https://www.heffins.com/employment-practices-liability-101-what-you-need-know/ "Employment Practices Liability 101: What You Need to Know") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: 2016 educational article about EPL coverage generally, not a current Heffernan product specification; endorsement availability depends on the carrier and current market terms..) |
| Limits and Retentions | Neither the Cowbell page nor Zurich's own Select Plus page, both read in full, publishes EPL limit or retention amounts. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") [3](https://www.zurichna.com/insurance/excess-and-surplus/small-business-management-liability "Small and Midsize Business Management Liability | Zurich Select Plus") (Evidence: Not publicly disclosed; scope: Cowbell page and Zurich page, both read on 2026-09-23..) | The same 2016 article says wage-and-hour EPL sublimits were then commonly $100,000, with some carriers offering $150,000 to $250,000 for additional premium. [11](https://www.heffins.com/employment-practices-liability-101-what-you-need-know/ "Employment Practices Liability 101: What You Need to Know") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Market commentary in a 2016 article, not a current quote or a limit Heffernan guarantees today..) |
| How to Apply | 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. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: FAQ 'How can I access the Zurich Select Plus management liability product through Cowbell?'..) | The reviewed pages describe no EPL-specific application or online quote process; buyers reach the coverage through Heffernan's general business-insurance brokerage contact route. [7](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage") (Evidence: Not found in reviewed sources; scope: Business Insurance Brokerage page as read on 2026-09-23..) |
| Claims Support | Not described in the reviewed sources. | Heffernan's published claims-advocacy services cover workers' compensation, general liability, auto, and property claims; the page does not list employment-related claims handling as part of that service. [10](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/claims-advocacy/ "Claims Advocacy") (Evidence: Not found in reviewed sources; scope: Claims Advocacy page as read on 2026-09-23; does not establish that EPL claims receive no support, only that this page does not describe it..) |

## Full Comparison

- [Cowbell vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-heffernan): all coverage lines, business roles, service and claims.
- [What Is Employment Practices Liability Insurance?](https://spot.insure/coverage/employment-practices): Employment practices liability insurance can help defend your business against covered claims of discrimination, harassment and wrongful termination.
- [Cowbell vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Crime Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-heffernan/crime)
- [Cowbell vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Cyber Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-heffernan/cyber)
- [Cowbell vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Fiduciary Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-heffernan/fiduciary)
- [Alliance Risk vs Cowbell Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-cowbell/employment-practices)
- [Alliance Risk vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-heffernan/employment-practices)
- [Amelia Risk vs Cowbell Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-cowbell/employment-practices)
- [Amelia Risk vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-heffernan/employment-practices)
- [Beazley vs Cowbell Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/beazley-vs-cowbell/employment-practices)
- [Beazley vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/beazley-vs-heffernan/employment-practices)

## Sources

### Cowbell

1. [Cowbell](https://cowbell.insure/). Cowbell; What We Do; Assess, Insure, Respond and Improve; U.S. navigation; footer legal disclosure. Accessed 2026-09-15.
2. [Prime Tech Product Overview](https://cowbell.insure/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/CB-US-PrimeTech-Overview-1.pdf). Cowbell; PDF pp. 1–4: non-admitted combined Technology E&O and cyber for technology businesses up to $1 billion; up to $5 million; surplus lines in 50 states; edition PRIME TECH US0001 1025. Accessed 2026-09-16.
3. [Small and Midsize Business Management Liability | Zurich Select Plus](https://www.zurichna.com/insurance/excess-and-surplus/small-business-management-liability). Zurich North America; Intro on the Zurich/Cowbell collaboration; module name 'Employment Practices and Third-Party Discrimination Liability'; FAQ 'What is the difference between management liability and D&O?' and 'What is the most common management liability claim?' (identical to Cowbell's page); Targeted industries list; footer copyright. Accessed 2026-09-23.
4. [Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/). Cowbell; FAQ 'What is the difference between management liability and D&O?' (EPL definition); FAQ 'What is the most common management liability claim?' (EPL claim types); Target industries list. Accessed 2026-09-23.

### Heffernan Insurance Brokers

5. [Our Story](https://www.heffins.com/about-us/our-story/). Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Headquartered in Walnut Creek; nationwide presence; founded 1988; employee owned; niche practices including technology. Accessed 2026-09-16.
6. [Technology Company Insurance](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/technology/). 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. Accessed 2026-09-16.
7. [Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/). Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Corporate and executive protection, such as employment practices liability, directors and officers liability, fiduciary responsibility, cyber liability, and kidnap and ransom are also available through our comprehensive business insurance programs.. Accessed 2026-09-23.
8. [Home Care Business Insurance](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/health-care/homecare/). Heffernan Insurance Brokers; We offer comprehensive coverage for: Workers' Compensation Insurance, General and Professional Liability, Employment Practice Liability, Business/Owned Auto, Non-owned and Hired Auto, and more. Accessed 2026-09-23.
9. [Family Office](https://www.heffins.com/family-office/). Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Coverage for Family Offices, Trustees & Financial Firms: Family office liability, D&O, Professional liability, Employment practices liability insurance, Workers' compensation, Employee benefits, Trustee liability, Property and auto, Fiduciary liability, Fidelity/financial institution bond, Cyber, Crime, General liability, Excess liability. Accessed 2026-09-23.
10. [Claims Advocacy](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/claims-advocacy/). Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Services We Offer: Workers' Compensation Claims Expertise; Medical Triage Services; General Liability, Auto & Property Claims Support; Online Risk Management & HR Support; Streamlined Vendor Compliance. Accessed 2026-09-23.
11. [Employment Practices Liability 101: What You Need to Know](https://www.heffins.com/employment-practices-liability-101-what-you-need-know/). Heffernan Insurance Brokers; May 18, 2016 article by Tanner Fornesi, Assistant Vice President, Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Wage and Hour coverage, 100% Hammer Clause, Immigration Claim Endorsement. Accessed 2026-09-23.

### Employment Practices Liability Insurance Guide

12. [Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://www.iii.org/article/employment-practices-liability-insurance). Insurance Information Institute; Opening; What EPLI covers; Steps to limit employment liability risk. 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). To suggest a correction, [contact Spot](https://spot.insure/contact) with the page URL and supporting source.

## Agent and Developer Resources

- [Markdown page](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-heffernan/employment-practices.md)
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- [MCP server manifest](https://spot.insure/server.json)
- [OpenAPI description](https://spot.insure/openapi.json)
- [Public page index](https://spot.insure/llms.txt)