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

Cowbell's D&O for private companies under 250 employees is accessed only through Zurich-appointed wholesalers, while Risklytics Insurance Services says venture-backed startups often buy D&O before a funding round and cites a typical limit ask of a typical million to $3 million.

Risklytics is a startup broker you can apply to online, with no broker fee, and it says most venture-backed companies buy $1–3 million of D&O at their first priced round. Cowbell's D&O is a Zurich module for private companies under 250 employees, reached only through an appointed wholesaler. ^5,^4,^3,¹

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

Funding-Round Trigger vs Size-and-Industry Screen

Risklytics ties D&O to your raise: term sheets and incoming board members typically require it as a closing condition, and a licensed producer stays on your file until the policy binds. Cowbell screens by size and industry — under $50 million in assets, in sectors such as technology, construction, manufacturing, hospitality and retail. Choose Risklytics if you're a venture-backed startup, particularly in robotics, autonomy or AI, closing a priced round; choose Cowbell if you're a small private company outside the venture track whose broker can reach a Zurich wholesaler. ³ ⁵ ¹

What the Policy Is For

Risklytics draws a practical line: D&O answers an investor or regulator suing over how the company was run, such as a suit after a down round, while Tech E&O answers a customer's product-failure claim. Cowbell frames D&O as protection for directors' personal assets and the company's balance sheet, and as a way to attract and retain directors. Cowbell and Zurich publish no limits. ³ ¹ ²

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

Ask Risklytics which specialist insurer would issue your policy and whether your quote falls in the $1–3 million range. ³
Check your headcount and assets against Cowbell's under-250 and under-$50 million gate. ¹
If you carry Tech E&O too, ask Risklytics how the two respond when one set of facts triggers both. ³
Ask Cowbell's wholesaler for the Select Plus limit and retention and the issuing Zurich company. ²

Cowbell vs Risklytics D&O Insurance Compared

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

Criteria	Cowbell / Zurich Select Plus Private Company D&O	Risklytics Directors & Officers 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.	Risklytics says the norm is buying D&O at or before a startup's first priced round, since term sheets and incoming board members typically require it as a closing condition. ³Company-reported. Lines page.
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?'.	You start Risklytics Directors & Officers Insurance through Risklytics' online application. Risklytics says there is no broker fee on top of the premium and a licensed producer stays on the file until the program binds; its commission is paid by the carrier out of the premium either way. ^5,⁴Company-reported. Pricing page describes the general application and fee process, not a line-specific form.
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?'.	Risklytics describes D&O as protecting a founder's personal assets when an investor or regulator sues over how the company was run, citing an investor suit after a down round and a regulator inquiry into AI capability claims as examples, and distinguishes it from Tech E&O, which answers a customer's product-failure claim instead. ³Company-reported. Lines page; the issued policy and declarations control actual coverage.
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.	Risklytics Insurance Services is a licensed insurance producer (NPN 22311838) that places Risklytics Directors & Officers Insurance with outside carriers; it says it does not underwrite policies itself. ⁴Company-reported. About page; describes Risklytics' brokerage model generally, restated for this line.
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.	Risklytics does not name the carrier that underwrites Risklytics Directors & Officers Insurance on its site. It says it places business with specialist insurers willing to write robotics, autonomy and AI risk; the issuing carrier appears on the bound policy. ^3,⁴Company-reported. Lines page and about page; no specific insurer is published for this line.
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?'.	Risklytics calls D&O easy to get for venture-backed companies with a clean story, describing quick placement for that segment. ³Company-reported. Lines page.