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

Cowbell's D&O for private companies under 250 employees module is available only through Zurich-appointed wholesalers, while Relm Insurance targets fast-changing industries and sells D&O through insurance brokers.

Cowbell's D&O is written by Zurich for private companies under 250 employees and $50 million in assets, reached through wholesale brokers. Relm sells D&O through your broker and pitches it to startups recruiting executives, but names no insurer and sets no published size limits. ^1,^2,³

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

Clear Size Limits vs Open Appetite

Cowbell's D&O targets private companies in listed industries, and only appointed Zurich wholesale brokers can reach it through Cowbell's API. ¹ Relm says its D&O protects directors' and officers' personal assets from claims by shareholders, regulators, competitors or employees, and that startups especially need it to attract executives. Brokers use Relm to protect their clients' leadership teams; there's no direct online quote. ³ Choose Cowbell if you are a small private company inside its caps and want a well-known insurer behind the policy; choose Relm if you are a startup outside those caps whose broker already works with Relm.

Who Stands Behind the Policy

Zurich writes Cowbell's Select Plus modules, including D&O, on an admitted basis, so state guaranty funds back the policy. ² Relm's Financial Lines page names no issuer for D&O; its separate legal pages describe Relm Insurance Ltd. and an outside fronting insurer in general terms. Find out who issues your policy before you bind. ³

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

Ask Relm which entity issues the policy and whether a fronting insurer is involved. ³
Give Cowbell's wholesaler your headcount and assets first to confirm you're inside its targets. ¹
Ask your broker whether it can reach Relm, or is an appointed Zurich wholesaler for Cowbell. ³ ¹
Get limits and retentions in writing; neither publishes them. ² ³

Cowbell vs Relm Insurance D&O Insurance Compared

Cowbell vs Relm Insurance: D&O Insurance: documented features by provider

Criteria	Cowbell / Zurich Select Plus Private Company D&O	Relm Directors and Officers Liability Insurance
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.	Relm targets companies in disruptive or fast-changing sectors, naming Web3 founders, biotechnology leaders and AI pioneers as examples, and says any company with a board benefits, with startups especially needing it to attract executives. ³Company-reported. Financial Lines page framing; not a guarantee of eligibility for a particular company.
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?'.	Relm sells D&O through insurance brokers (its page says brokers can use Relm to protect clients' leadership teams); it does not describe a direct online quote. ³Company-reported. Financial Lines page framing; consistent with Relm's broader broker-distribution model described on its legal-information and US MGA pages.
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?'.	Relm says D&O coverage generally protects directors and officers' personal assets by covering legal fees, settlements and financial losses when they are held liable for decisions made managing the company, including claims from shareholders, regulators, competitors or employees. ³Company-reported. Financial Lines page general description; Relm notes coverage can differ by carrier, and the issued policy and declarations control.
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.	Relm markets D&O liability as a line brokers can place through Relm for their clients, describing custom coverage rather than a one-size-fits-all policy. ³Company-reported. Relm line-of-business page (Relm sells through brokers); not a statement identifying the issuing insurer for a given placement.