Cowbell vs HUB International: How Do They Compare for D&O Insurance?

Cowbell routes its D&O for private companies under 250 employees module only through Zurich-appointed wholesalers; HUB International brokers for private, public, and nonprofit organizations and offers a specialist claims support group.

HUB's ProEx practice brokers D&O for private, nonprofit and public companies, and its attorneys help from reviewing policy wording to recovering on a claim. Cowbell's private-company D&O is a Zurich-underwritten module that businesses can't buy directly; only appointed wholesalers reach it. ^1,^2,^3,⁴

What Are the Key Differences Between Cowbell and HUB International D&O Insurance?

Broker You Call vs Module Your Broker Must Reach

You reach HUB through its "Connect With a Broker" page, and its ProEx Professional & Executive Risk practice shops your D&O with insurers it describes only as "top-rated." ³ ⁴ Cowbell's module is part of Zurich's Select Plus product; Cowbell provides platform access to Zurich-appointed wholesalers, so you'd need a broker who works with one. ¹ ² Choose HUB if you're public, a nonprofit, or want a broker with claims attorneys; ask your broker about Cowbell's module if you're a private company under 250 employees and $50 million in assets in technology, construction, manufacturing, hospitality or retail. ³ ¹

Claims Attorneys vs Standard Coverage Description

HUB's ProEx practice adds analytics, litigation support and risk-management services, and its Claims & Legal Risks Group is a team of attorneys. ⁴ Cowbell describes D&O covering legal fees, settlements and defense costs, pitched as a way to attract and retain directors, and doesn't describe dedicated claims help beyond the policy. ¹

What Should You Confirm in Cowbell and HUB International D&O Insurance Quotes?

Ask HUB which insurer would issue your policy. ⁴
Check your headcount and assets against Cowbell's targets before your broker applies. ¹
Ask how HUB's claims attorneys would handle a D&O notice compared with Zurich's own claims process on a Cowbell module. ⁴ ²
Get limits and retentions on both quotes; neither publishes them. ³ ¹

Cowbell vs HUB International D&O Insurance Compared

Cowbell vs HUB International: D&O Insurance: documented features by provider

Criteria	Cowbell / Zurich Select Plus Private Company D&O	HUB International Directors and Officers Insurance Brokerage
Who It’s For	Cowbell targets this D&O module at private companies with under 250 employees and under $50M in assets, in industries such as technology, construction, manufacturing, hospitality, and retail. ¹Company-reported. FAQ 'What size accounts are targeted?' and Target industries list.	HUB markets D&O brokerage to three segments: private companies with customer and supplier relationships, nonprofits with advisory boards or committees, and public companies with shareholders. ³Company-reported. D&O product page target-market description; not an underwriting appetite statement.
How to Apply	This D&O module is accessed only by appointed Zurich E&S wholesalers through the Cowbell platform's API; it is not sold directly to businesses. ¹Company-reported. FAQ 'How can I access the Zurich Select Plus management liability product through Cowbell?'.	HUB directs D&O prospects to "Connect With a Broker" rather than an online quote or bind flow. ³Company-reported. D&O product page call to action.
Coverage Features	Cowbell describes D&O liability as protecting the personal assets of directors and officers and the company's financial assets against claims alleging wrongful acts in their capacity as directors and officers. ¹Company-reported. FAQ 'What is the difference between management liability and D&O?'.	HUB describes D&O coverage it arranges as addressing three areas: personal asset protection for monetary judgments and settlements from an alleged breach of duty, loyalty or care; defense in civil, criminal, judicial, administrative, regulatory or arbitration proceedings; and workplace and employment protection for breach-of-fiduciary-duty and employment-related suits. ³Company-reported. Product-page marketing description; the issued policy's insuring agreements, conditions and exclusions control an actual claim. HUB says D&O claims it sees can come from regulators, donors, clients or customers, suppliers, competitors, employees, shareholders and creditors. ³Company-reported. Product-page list of potential claim sources; not a guarantee of coverage for any specific claimant.
Role in This Line	Private Company D&O is one module within Cowbell's distribution of Zurich's Select Plus management liability product; Cowbell gives Zurich-appointed E&S wholesalers platform access, and Zurich underwrites the module. Zurich's own page labels this module 'Private Management and Company Liability' rather than plain 'D&O.' ^1,²Company-reported. Management liability page intro and module list; Zurich page module-name section.	HUB brokers D&O liability coverage for private, nonprofit and public-company clients as part of its ProEx Professional & Executive Risk practice, rather than underwriting the policy itself. ^3,⁴Company-reported. D&O product page and ProEx coverage list, read 2026-09-23. Neither page names an issuing insurer.
Risk Services	Cowbell frames D&O coverage as a way to help attract and retain directors and officers by giving them personal-asset protection, and says the product covers legal fees, settlements, and other defense costs for the company and its management. ¹Company-reported. FAQ 'Why does my company need management liability coverage?'.	HUB says its ProEx practice, which lists D&O among its Executive Liability coverages, provides analytics, litigation support and risk-management services to clients of all sizes, led by a named ProEx practice leader. ⁴Company-reported. ProEx page team and services description; not specific to a single D&O engagement.