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

Cowbell's D&O module for private companies under 250 employees is reached only through Zurich-appointed wholesalers; RiskCube compares carrier policies for startups raising institutional capital and includes a short online intake.

RiskCube takes a roughly 10-minute online application, compares D&O quotes across insurers in one to two business days, and checks every AI company's policy for AI exclusions before binding. Cowbell offers one Zurich D&O module for private companies under 250 employees, reached only through wholesale brokers. ^1,^2,³

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

Quote Comparison for Funded Startups vs One Insurer's Module

RiskCube targets startups raising institutional money or adding board members, plus regulated sectors such as AI, fintech, govtech, defense and space. Its intake asks about fundraising, capitalization, board, revenue and prior litigation. ³ Cowbell isn't sold to you directly: your broker reaches Zurich's Select Plus module through a Zurich-appointed wholesaler, and it targets private companies under $50 million in assets in industries such as technology, construction and retail. ¹ ² Choose RiskCube if you're an AI, fintech or defense startup raising a round and want quotes compared; choose Cowbell if you're a small private company whose broker already uses a Zurich wholesaler. ³ ¹

AI-Washing Protection

If you market AI features, investors can sue over "AI washing," claims that you overstated your AI. RiskCube checks AI companies' policies for AI exclusions or sublimits that would block that cover before you bind. ³ Cowbell lists technology as a target industry but describes no such check. ¹

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

Ask RiskCube which insurer would issue your policy and whether any AI exclusion or sublimit survived its review. ³ ⁴
Ask RiskCube how each quote handles insured-versus-insured and prior-litigation exclusions. ³
Neither publishes limits; get amounts from RiskCube's quotes and from Cowbell's module through your broker. ³ ²

Cowbell vs RiskCube D&O Insurance Compared

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

Criteria	Cowbell / Zurich Select Plus Private Company D&O	RiskCube Directors and Officers (D&O) 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.	RiskCube targets D&O at startups raising institutional funding rounds or adding board members, and at regulated sectors such as AI, fintech, govtech, defense and space, saying investors and boards increasingly require D&O as a closing condition. ³Company-reported. D&O product page "Who needs D&O insurance" section.
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?'.	RiskCube describes a roughly 10-minute digital intake covering fundraising history, capitalization, board structure, revenue and prior litigation, then says its AI agents and licensed brokers compare carrier quotes, typically returning D&O quotes within one to two business days and proof of coverage in about 24 hours after a policy is selected. ³Company-reported. D&O product page process steps and "How fast can we get D and O insurance quotes" FAQ.
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?'.	RiskCube describes a typical private-company D&O program as combining Side A coverage (individual directors and officers when the company can't indemnify them), Side B coverage (reimbursing the company after it indemnifies leadership) and Side C coverage (protecting the company itself). ³Company-reported. D&O product page coverage explanation. RiskCube lists common D&O exclusions including intentional fraud, prior known litigation, insured-versus-insured disputes and illegal profit, and notes that exclusions vary by carrier and policy wording. ³Company-reported. D&O product page "Common Exclusions" section.
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.	RiskCube compares D&O policies across carriers and describes itself as an independent brokerage rather than the underwriter of the policy. ³Company-reported. D&O product page footer and general framing of the coverage as "tailored D&O coverage" it provides access to, not a self-underwritten product.
Issuing Insurer	Cowbell and Zurich both say the Select Plus modules, including D&O, are offered 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 D&O module. ^1,²Company-reported. Management liability page intro; Zurich page intro and footer.	RiskCube's disclosures say it is not an insurance carrier and that its insurance products, including D&O, are underwritten and issued by third-party carriers it does not name; the D&O page itself does not identify an issuing insurer. ^4,³Company-reported. Company-wide entity and licensing disclosure and the D&O product page as read on 2026-09-23.
Risk Services	Cowbell frames D&O coverage as a way to help attract and retain directors and officers by giving them personal-asset protection, and says the product covers legal fees, settlements, and other defense costs for the company and its management. ¹Company-reported. FAQ 'Why does my company need management liability coverage?'.	RiskCube says it checks every AI-company D&O policy for AI-related exclusions or sublimits before binding, to address "AI washing" allegations and oversight claims. ³Company-reported. D&O product page "AI & governance risk" FAQ.