---
title: "Cowbell vs Relm Insurance Fiduciary Liability Insurance"
description: "Cowbell’s Zurich fiduciary module is sold to wholesalers; Relm markets the line for brokers placing cover for startups that add benefits early."
canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-relm/fiduciary"
page-type: "line-comparison"
updated-at: "2026-09-23"
---

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[Human-readable page](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-relm/fiduciary)

# Cowbell vs Relm Insurance Fiduciary Liability Insurance

Cowbell’s Zurich fiduciary module is sold to wholesalers; Relm markets the line for brokers placing cover for startups that add benefits early.

## Research Scope and Use

Use this comparison to evaluate Cowbell and Relm Insurance for Fiduciary 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’s fiduciary product is a Zurich Select Plus module for private companies under 250 employees, reached only through appointed wholesalers. Relm markets fiduciary liability for brokers to place for companies that manage pensions or health plans, including growth-stage firms that add benefits to hire. [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") [7](https://relminsurance.com/lines-of-business/financial-lines-insurance/ "Financial Lines Insurance")

## 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 Relm Insurance?

Relm is a specialty insurance business serving emerging industries. Its AI range distinguishes developer liability, gaps in existing liability insurance and losses from third-party AI failures. [5](https://relminsurance.com/relm-launches-us-mga/ "Relm Launches US MGA") [6](https://relminsurance.com/relm-insurance-launches-ai-suite/ "Relm Launches AI Liability Solutions")

[Relm Insurance profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/relm)

## What Is Fiduciary Liability Insurance?

Fiduciary liability insurance addresses covered claims alleging breaches of duties in managing employee benefit plans. [8](https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ebsa/employers-and-advisers/guidance/field-assistance-bulletins/erisa-fidelity-bonding-requirements.pdf "Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2008-04: Guidance Regarding ERISA Fidelity Bonding Requirements") [9](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/fiduciary-liability "Fiduciary Liability Insurance")

## Key Differences in Fiduciary Liability Insurance

### How Each Sits in the Market

Cowbell operates Zurich’s Select Plus platform; Zurich underwrites the fiduciary module. Relm markets fiduciary liability as coverage brokers can place for clients that manage employee benefit plans; its reviewed page does not name an issuing insurer. Both reach buyers through intermediaries rather than a direct consumer checkout. [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") [7](https://relminsurance.com/lines-of-business/financial-lines-insurance/ "Financial Lines Insurance")

### Who They Say Should Buy It

Cowbell’s appetite is private companies under 250 employees and $50 million in assets, including manufacturing and technology. Relm targets companies that manage pensions or health insurance and specifically calls out startups and growth-stage companies that introduce benefits early to attract talent. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") [7](https://relminsurance.com/lines-of-business/financial-lines-insurance/ "Financial Lines Insurance")

### Insured Roles Versus a One-Line Definition

Cowbell describes claims from breaches of fiduciary duties on plans such as a 401(k) or health plan. Relm says the cover protects plan sponsors, trustees, administrators, investment committees, and directors and officers with discretionary authority under ERISA, including legal fees, settlements, and judgments. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") [7](https://relminsurance.com/lines-of-business/financial-lines-insurance/ "Financial Lines Insurance")

### Services Around the Form

Neither Cowbell’s nor Relm’s reviewed fiduciary pages describe dedicated plan-administration review. Cowbell and Zurich mention Zurich Claims service for Select Plus generally; Relm’s page stays at a coverage description. [3](https://www.zurichna.com/insurance/excess-and-surplus/small-business-management-liability "Small and Midsize Business Management Liability | Zurich Select Plus") [7](https://relminsurance.com/lines-of-business/financial-lines-insurance/ "Financial Lines Insurance")

## What to Confirm in Fiduciary Liability Insurance Quotes

- Ask who issues the policy: Cowbell’s pages say Zurich admitted paper; Relm’s page leaves the insurer to the placement. [3](https://www.zurichna.com/insurance/excess-and-surplus/small-business-management-liability "Small and Midsize Business Management Liability | Zurich Select Plus") [7](https://relminsurance.com/lines-of-business/financial-lines-insurance/ "Financial Lines Insurance")
- Check whether a startup with early benefits still fits Cowbell’s employee and asset caps, or whether Relm’s broker is placing a different market. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") [7](https://relminsurance.com/lines-of-business/financial-lines-insurance/ "Financial Lines Insurance")
- Confirm which roles are named insureds on Relm’s form versus Cowbell’s module declarations. [7](https://relminsurance.com/lines-of-business/financial-lines-insurance/ "Financial Lines Insurance") [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises")
- Get limits; both reviewed sources leave amounts unpublished. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") [7](https://relminsurance.com/lines-of-business/financial-lines-insurance/ "Financial Lines Insurance")

## Offering Details

| Criteria | Cowbell / Zurich Select Plus Fiduciary Liability | Relm Fiduciary Liability Insurance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Role in This Line | Fiduciary liability is one module within Cowbell's distribution of Zurich's Select Plus management liability product; Cowbell operates the platform, Zurich underwrites the module. Zurich's own page lists 'Fiduciary Liability' as one of the four modules a buyer can combine. [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..) | Relm markets fiduciary liability as a coverage brokers can place for clients that manage employee benefit plans. [7](https://relminsurance.com/lines-of-business/financial-lines-insurance/ "Financial Lines Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Relm line-of-business page (Relm sells through brokers); not a statement identifying the issuing insurer for a given placement..) |
| Issuing Insurer | Cowbell and Zurich both say the Select Plus modules, including fiduciary liability, 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 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 page does not name a specific issuing insurer for fiduciary liability placements. [7](https://relminsurance.com/lines-of-business/financial-lines-insurance/ "Financial Lines Insurance") (Evidence: Not publicly disclosed; scope: Line-of-business page as read on 2026-09-23; a specific placement's insurer is product- and jurisdiction-specific..) |
| Who It’s For | Cowbell targets this fiduciary module at private companies with under 250 employees and under $50M in assets, across the same target industries listed for the broader Select Plus product, such as manufacturing and technology. [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..) | Relm targets companies that manage employee benefit plans such as pensions or health insurance, specifically calling out startups and growth-stage companies that introduce benefits early to attract talent. [7](https://relminsurance.com/lines-of-business/financial-lines-insurance/ "Financial Lines Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Financial Lines page framing; not a guarantee of eligibility for a particular company..) |
| Coverage Features | Cowbell describes fiduciary liability as protecting against claims arising from breaches of fiduciary duties related to employee benefit plans, such as a company's 401(k) or health plan. [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?'..) | Relm says fiduciary liability protects plan sponsors, trustees, administrators, investment committees, and directors and officers with 'discretionary authority' under ERISA, covering legal fees, settlement and judgment costs tied to employee benefit plans. [7](https://relminsurance.com/lines-of-business/financial-lines-insurance/ "Financial Lines Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Financial Lines page general description; the issued policy and declarations control..) |
| Limits and Retentions | Neither the Cowbell page nor Zurich's own Select Plus page, both read in full, publishes fiduciary-liability 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. |
| Risk Services | Both Cowbell and Zurich describe the Select Plus product generally as backed by 'the reputable Zurich Claims service'; neither reviewed page describes a fiduciary-specific service such as plan-compliance consulting. [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: Management liability page intro; Zurich page intro, both read on 2026-09-23..) | The reviewed fiduciary liability page does not describe dedicated plan-administration review or risk-control services beyond the general coverage description. [7](https://relminsurance.com/lines-of-business/financial-lines-insurance/ "Financial Lines Insurance") (Evidence: Not found in reviewed sources; scope: Financial Lines page as read on 2026-09-23..) |
| How to Apply | This fiduciary 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?'..) | Relm sells fiduciary liability coverage through insurance brokers; its reviewed pages do not describe a direct online quote. [7](https://relminsurance.com/lines-of-business/financial-lines-insurance/ "Financial Lines Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Financial Lines page framing; consistent with Relm's broader broker-distribution model..) |

## Full Comparison

- [Cowbell vs Relm Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-relm): all coverage lines, business roles, service and claims.
- [What Is Fiduciary Liability Insurance?](https://spot.insure/coverage/fiduciary): Fiduciary liability insurance can help with covered claims alleging that your business or its people breached duties in managing an employee benefit plan.
- [Cowbell vs Relm Insurance Crime Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-relm/crime)
- [Cowbell vs Relm Insurance Cyber Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-relm/cyber)
- [Cowbell vs Relm Insurance D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-relm/directors-officers)
- [Cowbell vs Relm Insurance Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-relm/employment-practices)
- [Cowbell vs Relm Insurance Tech E&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-relm/technology-errors-omissions)
- [Alliance Risk vs Cowbell Fiduciary Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-cowbell/fiduciary)
- [Alliance Risk vs Relm Insurance Fiduciary Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-relm/fiduciary)
- [Beazley vs Cowbell Fiduciary Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/beazley-vs-cowbell/fiduciary)
- [Beazley vs Relm Insurance Fiduciary Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/beazley-vs-relm/fiduciary)
- [Chubb vs Cowbell Fiduciary Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/chubb-vs-cowbell/fiduciary)
- [Chubb vs Relm Insurance Fiduciary Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/chubb-vs-relm/fiduciary)

## 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 'Fiduciary Liability'; FAQ 'What is the difference between management liability and D&O?' (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?' (Fiduciary Liability definition); Target industries list; FAQ on access and account size. Accessed 2026-09-23.

### Relm Insurance

5. [Relm Launches US MGA](https://relminsurance.com/relm-launches-us-mga/). Relm Insurance; Opening paragraphs describing US MGA and distribution partners. Accessed 2026-09-16.
6. [Relm Launches AI Liability Solutions](https://relminsurance.com/relm-insurance-launches-ai-suite/). Relm Insurance; NOVAAI, PONTAAI and RESCAAI: Applicable Users and Coverage Highlights. Accessed 2026-09-16.
7. [Financial Lines Insurance](https://relminsurance.com/lines-of-business/financial-lines-insurance/). Relm Insurance; Fiduciary Liability Insurance: What Is Fiduciary Liability Insurance?; Make Sure Benefits Don't Backfire; What Does Fiduciary Insurance Cover?. Accessed 2026-09-23.

### Fiduciary Liability Insurance Guide

8. [Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2008-04: Guidance Regarding ERISA Fidelity Bonding Requirements](https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ebsa/employers-and-advisers/guidance/field-assistance-bulletins/erisa-fidelity-bonding-requirements.pdf). U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration; Q2 pp.2–3. Accessed 2026-09-16.
9. [Fiduciary Liability Insurance](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/fiduciary-liability). Travelers; What Is Fiduciary Liability Insurance?. Accessed 2026-09-16.

Updated 2026-09-23. 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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