---
title: "Cowbell vs Marsh Employment Practices Liability Insurance"
description: "Cowbell’s Zurich EPL module is capped under 250 employees; Marsh’s Leaders Preferred and Global Leaders endorsements start at 250 and 4,000 employees."
canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-marsh/employment-practices"
page-type: "line-comparison"
updated-at: "2026-09-24"
---

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

# Cowbell vs Marsh Employment Practices Liability Insurance

Cowbell’s Zurich EPL module is capped under 250 employees; Marsh’s Leaders Preferred and Global Leaders endorsements start at 250 and 4,000 employees.

## Research Scope and Use

Use this comparison to evaluate Cowbell and Marsh 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 targets Select Plus EPL at private companies with under 250 employees and under $50 million in assets, via appointed Zurich E&S wholesalers. Marsh places EPLI with a Leaders Preferred Endorsement for companies with 250 to 4,000 employees and a Global Leaders Endorsement for companies with more than 4,000 employees. [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") [9](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/employment-practices-liability.html "Employment Practices Liability")

## 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 Marsh?

Marsh is a global insurance broker and risk advisor. In the United States it places coverage through core Marsh teams and through Marsh McLennan Agency for many middle-market buyers, including technology, cyber, property, casualty and benefits programs. [5](https://www.marsh.com/en/home.html "Marsh | Leader in risk, strategy, people, and investments") [6](https://www.marsh.com/content/dam/marsh/Documents/PDF/US-en/us-client-compensation-guide.pdf "Compensation guide for US clients") [7](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/marsh-mclennan-agency.html "Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA)") [8](https://www.marsh.com/en/industries/technology.html "Technology | Insurance Broking & Risk Management")

[Marsh profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/marsh)

## What Is Employment Practices Liability Insurance?

Employment practices liability insurance addresses claims alleging workplace wrongdoing, such as discrimination, harassment and wrongful termination. [11](https://www.iii.org/article/employment-practices-liability-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance")

## Key Differences in Employment Practices Liability Insurance

### Headcount Bands That Do Not Overlap on Named Products

Cowbell’s published Select Plus screen is under 250 employees and under $50 million in assets for private companies. Marsh’s named EPL endorsements start at 250 employees (Leaders Preferred, up to 4,000) and over 4,000 employees (Global Leaders). [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") [9](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/employment-practices-liability.html "Employment Practices Liability") [10](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/executive-and-professional-liability.html "Expert Executive and Professional Liability Insurance")

### Who Issues Versus Who Negotiates Endorsements

Cowbell and Zurich say Select Plus modules are written on Zurich admitted paper. Marsh’s reviewed pages do not name a specific EPLI insurer; the named endorsements appear to be Marsh-negotiated policy features rather than a Marsh-underwritten product. [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") [9](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/employment-practices-liability.html "Employment Practices Liability")

## What to Confirm in Employment Practices Liability Insurance Quotes

- Match your headcount to Cowbell’s under-250 screen versus Marsh’s 250–4,000 and 4,000-plus endorsement bands, or ask MMA about other middle-market forms. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") [9](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/employment-practices-liability.html "Employment Practices Liability") [10](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/executive-and-professional-liability.html "Expert Executive and Professional Liability Insurance")
- Ask Marsh which insurer would write Leaders Preferred or Global Leaders, versus Zurich paper on Cowbell. [9](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/employment-practices-liability.html "Employment Practices Liability") [3](https://www.zurichna.com/insurance/excess-and-surplus/small-business-management-liability "Small and Midsize Business Management Liability | Zurich Select Plus")
- Confirm third-party and negligent-evaluation grants on the actual forms. [9](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/employment-practices-liability.html "Employment Practices Liability") [3](https://www.zurichna.com/insurance/excess-and-surplus/small-business-management-liability "Small and Midsize Business Management Liability | Zurich Select Plus")
- Get limits from both quotes; neither public page publishes EPL figures. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") [9](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/employment-practices-liability.html "Employment Practices Liability")

## Offering Details

| Criteria | Cowbell / Zurich Select Plus Employment Practices Liability | Marsh Employment Practices Liability (EPLI) 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..) | 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. [9](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/employment-practices-liability.html "Employment Practices Liability") [10](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/executive-and-professional-liability.html "Expert Executive and Professional Liability Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Marsh EPL page and MMA executive and professional liability page..) |
| 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 a specific EPLI insurer; the named endorsements appear to be Marsh-negotiated policy features rather than a Marsh-underwritten product. [9](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/employment-practices-liability.html "Employment Practices Liability") [10](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/executive-and-professional-liability.html "Expert Executive and Professional Liability Insurance") (Evidence: Not publicly disclosed; scope: Marsh EPL page and MMA executive and professional liability 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..) | 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. [9](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/employment-practices-liability.html "Employment Practices Liability") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: 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. [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?'..) | 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. [9](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/employment-practices-liability.html "Employment Practices Liability") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Marsh EPL page; illustrative policy description, not a specific policy form..)<br><br>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. [9](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/employment-practices-liability.html "Employment Practices Liability") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Marsh EPL page, Marsh's EPL services section..) |
| 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..) | Not described in the reviewed sources. |
| 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?'..) | Not described in the reviewed sources. |

## Full Comparison

- [Cowbell vs Marsh](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-marsh): 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 Marsh Crime Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-marsh/crime)
- [Cowbell vs Marsh Cyber Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-marsh/cyber)
- [Cowbell vs Marsh D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-marsh/directors-officers)
- [Cowbell vs Marsh Fiduciary Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-marsh/fiduciary)
- [Cowbell vs Marsh Management Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-marsh/management-liability)
- [Cowbell vs Marsh Tech E&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-marsh/technology-errors-omissions)
- [Alliance Risk vs Cowbell Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-cowbell/employment-practices)
- [Alliance Risk vs Marsh Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-marsh/employment-practices)
- [Amelia Risk vs Cowbell Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-cowbell/employment-practices)
- [Amelia Risk vs Marsh Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-marsh/employment-practices)
- [Beazley vs Cowbell Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/beazley-vs-cowbell/employment-practices)
- [Beazley vs Marsh Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/beazley-vs-marsh/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.

### Marsh

5. [Marsh | Leader in risk, strategy, people, and investments](https://www.marsh.com/en/home.html). Marsh; Hero and capability tiles; FAQ: What does Marsh do?; industries served; Is Marsh the same as Marsh McLennan? January 2026 brand change. Accessed 2026-09-16.
6. [Compensation guide for US clients](https://www.marsh.com/content/dam/marsh/Documents/PDF/US-en/us-client-compensation-guide.pdf). Marsh; US broking segments; broker role; retail commissions, client fees, wholesale, insurer consulting, contingent and supplemental commissions; Marsh LLC and Marsh USA LLC; page 3: broker role and Marsh & McLennan Agency segment; page 7: copyright © 2024 Marsh LLC. Accessed 2026-09-16.
7. [Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA)](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/marsh-mclennan-agency.html). Marsh; Middle-market US organizations; wholly-owned subsidiary; business insurance, employee health and benefits, retirement, private client. Accessed 2026-09-16.
8. [Technology | Insurance Broking & Risk Management](https://www.marsh.com/en/industries/technology.html). Marsh; Opening Technology Practice description; practice links including data center insurance, fintech and Stratus; Talk to us. Accessed 2026-09-16.
9. [Employment Practices Liability](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/employment-practices-liability.html). Marsh; Opening positioning; allegation list (discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, retaliation, and more); What we offer: EPLI initiatives; Marsh's EPL services: Global Leaders Endorsement, Leaders Preferred Endorsement. Accessed 2026-09-23.
10. [Expert Executive and Professional Liability Insurance](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/executive-and-professional-liability.html). Marsh McLennan Agency; Employment Practices Liability subsection: covers defense costs and damages related to employment-related claims, including discrimination, harassment, failure to provide equal opportunity of employment. Accessed 2026-09-23.

### Employment Practices Liability Insurance Guide

11. [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 2026-09-24. 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.

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