Cowbell vs 
Marsh: 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. Marsh places EPL for employers of all sizes and names Global Leader and Workplace Harassment Liability policy add-ons.
Cowbell's Select Plus EPL is for private companies with under 250 employees and under $50 million in assets, sold through appointed wholesale brokers; Marsh's Leaders Preferred and Global Leaders endorsements pick up where Cowbell stops, at 250 to 4,000 and 4,000-plus employees. 1,2,3
What Are the Key Differences Between Cowbell and Marsh Employment Practices Liability Insurance?
Under 250 Employees vs 250 and Up
Cowbell's Select Plus EPL screens for private companies with under 250 employees and under $50 million in assets. Marsh's named EPL endorsements start where that stops: Leaders Preferred for 250 to 4,000 employees and Global Leaders for more than 4,000. Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA) also places EPL for middle-market clients outside those bands. Your headcount largely decides this for you. Choose Cowbell if you're a private company under 250 staff; choose Marsh if you have 250 or more. 1 3 4
Known Insurer vs Broker-Negotiated Endorsements
Cowbell and Zurich say Select Plus modules are written by Zurich, so you know who pays claims before you quote. Marsh's endorsements are policy features Marsh negotiates, not a Marsh-issued product, and its pages don't name the insurer behind them. 2 1 3
What Should You Confirm in Cowbell and Marsh Employment Practices Liability Insurance Quotes?
- If you're close to 250 employees, ask both whether you qualify, or ask MMA about other middle-market forms. 1 3 4
- Ask Marsh which insurer would issue Leaders Preferred or Global Leaders. 3 2
- Ask both whether third-party and negligent-evaluation claims are covered on the actual forms. 3 2
- Get EPL limits from both quotes; neither publishes them. 1 3
Cowbell vs Marsh Employment Practices Liability Insurance Compared
Cowbell vs Marsh: Employment Practices Liability Insurance: documented features by provider
| Criteria | Cowbell / Zurich Select Plus Employment Practices Liability | Marsh Employment Practices Liability (EPLI) 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. | Marsh says employers of all sizes face potential EPL liability, but its named endorsements target companies by size band: over 4,000 employees for the Global Leaders Endorsement and 250 to 4,000 employees for the Leaders Preferred Endorsement. 3Company-reported. Marsh EPL 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?'. | Marsh says EPLI can respond to allegations including discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, retaliation, failure to employ or promote, negligent evaluation, and violation of an employee's civil rights, brought by past, present or prospective employees or third parties. 3Company-reported. Marsh EPL page; illustrative policy description, not a specific policy form. Marsh names two proprietary EPL endorsements: the Global Leaders Endorsement, built for large and multinational companies with more than 4,000 employees, and the Leaders Preferred Endorsement, for midsize companies with 250 to 4,000 employees. 3Company-reported. Marsh EPL page, Marsh's EPL services section. |
| 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. | Marsh's financial and professional liability practice places employment practices liability insurance (EPLI); MMA also places EPL coverage within its executive and professional liability practice for middle-market clients. 3,4Company-reported. Marsh EPL page and MMA executive and professional liability page. |
