---
title: "Cowbell vs Markel Insurance: Employment Practices Liability Insurance"
description: "Cowbell’s Zurich EPL module targets private firms under 250 employees and $50 million in assets through wholesalers; Markel describes private and nonprofit EPL appetite without those thresholds."
canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-markel/employment-practices"
page-type: "line-comparison"
updated-at: "2026-09-30"
comparison-pair: "cowbell-vs-markel"
provider-a: "cowbell"
provider-b: "markel"
coverage-line: "employment-practices"
---

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

## Agent Guide

**What this page is:** Focused comparison of Cowbell and Markel Insurance for Employment Practices Liability 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 Employment Practices Liability Insurance questions about Cowbell versus Markel Insurance. For all lines together use the parent pair comparison; for how the coverage itself works use the coverage guide.

**Questions this page answers:**
- Cowbell vs Markel Insurance for Employment Practices Liability Insurance: how do they differ?
- Which is better for Employment Practices Liability Insurance, Cowbell or Markel Insurance?
- What does Cowbell or Markel Insurance publish about Employment Practices Liability Insurance (limits, eligibility, claims, add-ons)?
- What should I confirm in a quote for Employment Practices Liability Insurance from Cowbell or Markel Insurance?

**Key facts:**
- Line: Employment Practices Liability Insurance. Providers: Cowbell and Markel Insurance.
- 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 2026-09-30. Editorial policy: /editorial-policy.

**Related pages:**
- [Cowbell vs Markel Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-markel) — parent: all coverage lines for this pair
- [Employment Practices Liability Insurance guide](https://spot.insure/coverage/employment-practices) — coverage explainer for this line
- [Cowbell profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/cowbell) — provider profile (evidence)
- [Markel Insurance profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/markel) — provider profile (evidence)
- [Cowbell vs Markel Insurance Crime Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-markel/crime) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Cowbell vs Markel Insurance Cyber Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-markel/cyber) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Cowbell vs Markel Insurance D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-markel/directors-officers) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Cowbell vs Markel Insurance Fiduciary Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-markel/fiduciary) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [AIG vs Cowbell Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aig-vs-cowbell/employment-practices) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [AIG vs Markel Insurance Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aig-vs-markel/employment-practices) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Alliance Risk vs Cowbell Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-cowbell/employment-practices) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Alliance Risk vs Markel Insurance Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-markel/employment-practices) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Amelia Risk vs Cowbell Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-cowbell/employment-practices) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Amelia Risk vs Markel Insurance Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-markel/employment-practices) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)

# Cowbell vs Markel Insurance: How Do They Compare for Employment Practices Liability Insurance?

Cowbell’s Zurich EPL module targets private firms under 250 employees and $50 million in assets through wholesalers; Markel describes private and nonprofit EPL appetite without those thresholds.

## Research Scope and Use

Use this comparison to evaluate Cowbell and Markel Insurance 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 EPL to private companies under 250 employees and $50 million in assets through appointed wholesalers. Markel lists private companies and nonprofits with risk-specific eligibility. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") [7](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/management-liability/private-and-nonprofit "Private and Nonprofit Management Liability Insurance")

## What Is Cowbell Insurance?

Cowbell suits small and midsize businesses seeking cyber options by company size, with technology E&O and Zurich management-liability options also available; firms needing broad commercial coverage should compare a full-service broker. Some security services cost extra. [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)

## Markel Insurance: Specialty Business and Products

Markel Insurance is Markel Group's specialty and small-business insurance business, with offerings across packages, workers' compensation, cyber, professional and management liability, property, marine, and surety. Products use different insurers and distribution routes, so compare the issuer and terms shown on the specific quote. [5](https://www.markel.com/about-us "About us") [6](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1096343/000109634326000020/mkl-20251231.htm "Markel Group Inc. 2025 Form 10-K")

[Markel Insurance profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/markel)

## What Is Employment Practices Liability Insurance?

EPLI can help pay covered defense costs and losses when applicants or workers allege discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination or other workplace wrongdoing. If you employ people, check the claim definition, defense costs and prior acts. [8](https://www.iii.org/article/employment-practices-liability-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance") [9](https://asset.trvstatic.com/download/assets/epl-3001.pdf/2c354eaa63ca11eeacdd06e978c86228 "Employment Practices Liability Coverage") [10](https://asset.trvstatic.com/download/assets/lia-3001.pdf/e79a6b6c63ca11eeaa7806e978c86228 "Liability Coverage Terms and Conditions")

## Key Differences in Employment Practices Liability Insurance

### Company thresholds and distribution

Cowbell targets its Zurich Select Plus EPL module at private companies with fewer than 250 employees and under $50 million in assets, including retail, hospitality, and manufacturing. Access runs through appointed Zurich E&S wholesalers using Cowbell’s platform API; businesses cannot buy it directly. Markel lists private companies and nonprofits as EPL audiences but does not state comparable employee or asset thresholds. Buyers should establish whether they can access Cowbell through a wholesaler and whether their organization fits its size limits. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") [7](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/management-liability/private-and-nonprofit "Private and Nonprofit Management Liability Insurance")

### Product form and claims

Zurich underwrites Cowbell’s module, which describes discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment, and other employment-practice claims. Markel also names discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and unfair hiring practices. Cowbell’s source labels the coverage “Employment Practices and Third-Party Discrimination Liability,” while Markel’s overview uses EPL for its line; compare whether third-party claims are explicitly included in each proposed form. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") [7](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/management-liability/private-and-nonprofit "Private and Nonprofit Management Liability Insurance")

## What to Confirm in Employment Practices Liability Insurance Quotes

- Ask the Cowbell wholesaler to confirm the Zurich issuer, employee/assets eligibility, and third-party discrimination wording. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises")
- Ask Markel whether third-party claims and the same size thresholds apply to your quote. [7](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/management-liability/private-and-nonprofit "Private and Nonprofit Management Liability Insurance")

## Offering Details

| Criteria | Cowbell / Zurich Select Plus Employment Practices Liability | Markel employment practices (official overview) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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..) | Markel describes offering employment practices for the audience stated on the cited product page. [7](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/management-liability/private-and-nonprofit "Private and Nonprofit Management Liability Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: employment practices marketed by markel; scope is limited to the cited official product overview and described audience. This is not a policy form or a universal eligibility statement..) |
| 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..) | Confirm in your quote. |
| 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..) | Private companies and not-for-profit organizations described on the product page; exact underwriting class and terms remain risk-specific. [7](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/management-liability/private-and-nonprofit "Private and Nonprofit Management Liability Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: employment practices marketed by markel; scope is limited to the cited official product overview and described audience. This is not a policy form or a universal eligibility statement..) |
| 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?'..) | The cited product page describes EPL for named workplace claims such as discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and unfair hiring practices. Marketing description only; actual coverage, exclusions, conditions, limits, and availability depend on the issued policy and jurisdiction. [7](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/management-liability/private-and-nonprofit "Private and Nonprofit Management Liability Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: employment practices marketed by markel; scope is limited to the cited official product overview and described audience. This is not a policy form or a universal eligibility statement..) |
| 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 cited overview does not set a universal limit or retention for this line. Ask for the proposed policy form, limits, retentions, exclusions, and conditions in the quote. [7](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/management-liability/private-and-nonprofit "Private and Nonprofit Management Liability Insurance") (Evidence: Not publicly disclosed; scope: Only the cited marketing page was reviewed for published limit and retention information; no policy-form entitlement is inferred..) |
| 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 page invites prospective customers or brokers to contact Markel or the named underwriting team. The page does not establish a quote, bind, or coverage-effective timeline. [7](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/management-liability/private-and-nonprofit "Private and Nonprofit Management Liability Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: employment practices marketed by markel; scope is limited to the cited official product overview and described audience. This is not a policy form or a universal eligibility statement..) |

## Full Comparison

- [Cowbell vs Markel Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-markel): all coverage lines, business roles, service and claims.
- [What Is Employment Practices Liability Insurance?](https://spot.insure/coverage/employment-practices): EPLI can address covered workplace claims from applicants and workers; claim timing, defense arrangements, limits and exclusions shape your protection.
- [Cowbell vs Markel Insurance Crime Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-markel/crime)
- [Cowbell vs Markel Insurance Cyber Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-markel/cyber)
- [Cowbell vs Markel Insurance D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-markel/directors-officers)
- [Cowbell vs Markel Insurance Fiduciary Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-markel/fiduciary)
- [AIG vs Cowbell Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aig-vs-cowbell/employment-practices)
- [AIG vs Markel Insurance Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aig-vs-markel/employment-practices)
- [Alliance Risk vs Cowbell Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-cowbell/employment-practices)
- [Alliance Risk vs Markel Insurance Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-markel/employment-practices)
- [Amelia Risk vs Cowbell Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-cowbell/employment-practices)
- [Amelia Risk vs Markel Insurance Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-markel/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.

### Markel Insurance

5. [About us](https://www.markel.com/about-us). Markel; Markel at a glance; description of Markel Insurance within Markel Group Inc.. Accessed 2026-09-28.
6. [Markel Group Inc. 2025 Form 10-K](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1096343/000109634326000020/mkl-20251231.htm). U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; filed by Markel Group Inc.; Cover page; Part I, Item 1 Business—Markel Insurance, U.S. Wholesale and Specialty, Programs and Solutions; Part II, Item 7/8 for group and segment risks. Accessed 2026-09-28.
7. [Private and Nonprofit Management Liability Insurance](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/management-liability/private-and-nonprofit). Markel; Employment practices liability section; listed workplace claims; policy highlights.. Accessed 2026-09-30.

### Employment Practices Liability Insurance Guide

8. [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.
9. [Employment Practices Liability Coverage](https://asset.trvstatic.com/download/assets/epl-3001.pdf/2c354eaa63ca11eeacdd06e978c86228). Travelers; I.A/II.A p.1; III.A.4–6 p.7; II.F Employment Claim, PDF p.2; I.B p.1; II.U–V p.5; II.L p.3; III.A.9 and A.13, pp.7–8; III.B.2 p.8; IV.A Settlement, PDF pp.8–9. Accessed 2026-09-16.
10. [Liability Coverage Terms and Conditions](https://asset.trvstatic.com/download/assets/lia-3001.pdf/e79a6b6c63ca11eeaa7806e978c86228). Travelers; III.F–H p.6; III.O pp.8–9; III.F p.6; III.B–D, PDF pp.3–5; III.E–F, PDF pp.5–6. Accessed 2026-09-16.

Updated 2026-09-30. 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.

## Cowbell Reviews

Review Score: 2.0 / 10 from 1 rated source, equally weighted.

Cowbell has one public rating we could find: 1.0 out of 5 on SourceForge from three reviews in 2023. That's too few and too old to say much.

- SourceForge: SourceForge rating 1.0 (out of 5); 3 reviews. SourceForge software directory listing for Cowbell Cyber. Three small-business reviewers describe the cyber insurance product. Small sample, all from 2023. Period: reviews dated Jan to Jul 2023. Checked 2026-09-29. [Cowbell Cyber Reviews](https://sourceforge.net/software/product/Cowbell-Cyber/)

Reviewed 2026-09-29. [Read the sourced review](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/cowbell/reviews).

## Markel Insurance Reviews

Review Score: 7.5 / 10 from 2 rated sources, equally weighted.

There is little public customer feedback on Markel. Trustpilot shows 2.5 out of 5 from just 5 reviews, and BBB lists 12 complaints closed in the last three years.

- J.D. Power: Commercial Lines Insurers agent satisfaction score 726 (out of 1,000). 2022 commercial-lines independent-agent satisfaction study and 2025 small-commercial customer study; these use different populations and measures Period: 2022. Checked 2026-09-29. [2025 U.S. Small Commercial Insurance Study](https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2025-us-small-commercial-insurance-study); [2022 U.S. Independent Agent Satisfaction Study](https://www.jdpower.com/sites/default/files/file/2022-10/2022134%20U.S.%20Independent%20Agent.pdf)
- Trustpilot: TrustScore 2.5 (out of 5); 5 reviews. Trustpilot brand-level page for markel.com. It mixes products and is not mapped to one legal insurer. Checked 2026-09-29. [Markel Reviews](https://www.trustpilot.com/review/markel.com)
- BBB: BBB business grade A+. BBB business profile for Markel Insurance Company headquarters/corporate-owned locations; review and complaint submissions may include other products and affiliates Checked 2026-09-29. [Markel Insurance Company Business Profile](https://www.bbb.org/us/va/glen-allen/profile/insurance-companies/markel-insurance-company-0603-4017547); [Markel Insurance Company Complaints](https://www.bbb.org/us/va/glen-allen/profile/insurance-companies/markel-insurance-company-0603-4017547/complaints)
- BBB: Complaints 12; 12 reviews. BBB profile for Markel Insurance Company; complaints may include other Markel products and affiliates and BBB says not all submissions are displayed. Period: last 3 years, as displayed 2026-09-29. Checked 2026-09-29. [Markel Insurance Company Complaints](https://www.bbb.org/us/va/glen-allen/profile/insurance-companies/markel-insurance-company-0603-4017547/complaints)

Reviewed 2026-09-29. [Read the sourced review](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/markel/reviews).

## Agent and Developer Resources

- [Markdown page](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-markel/employment-practices.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)