Cowbell vs Travelers: How Do They Compare for Employment Practices Liability Insurance?

Cowbell distributes Zurich-written EPL to private companies under 250 employees through firms Zurich appoints to distribute the module. Travelers insures EPL within its Management Liability portfolio and distributes it through independent agents.

Travelers sells EPL through any Travelers independent agent to public and private companies, nonprofits and financial institutions. Cowbell's Zurich-backed module only fits private companies under 250 employees and $50 million in assets, and your broker must reach it through an appointed wholesaler. ^3,^1,²

What Are the Key Differences Between Cowbell and Travelers Employment Practices Liability Insurance?

Broad Eligibility via Agents vs Small Private Firms via Wholesalers

Travelers writes EPL itself, standalone or with other management-liability cover, and sells it through its independent agents to financial institutions, nonprofits, and private and public companies. Cowbell's Select Plus EPL, written by Zurich, is limited to private companies under 250 employees and $50 million in assets, and only appointed Zurich wholesalers can quote it through Cowbell's platform. Choose Travelers if you're public, a nonprofit, a bank or larger than 250 employees; choose Cowbell if you're a small private company whose broker has wholesale access. ¹ ² ³

Same Core Claims, No Published Limits

Both cover wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment and retaliation; Cowbell adds that EPL claims are the most common management-liability claim. Neither publishes EPL limits, so you'll compare only once quoted. Travelers' settlement examples of $45,000 to $280,000 give a sense of what a claim can cost. ³ ¹

What Should You Confirm in Cowbell and Travelers Employment Practices Liability Insurance Quotes?

Check the insurer on each declarations page: Zurich for Cowbell, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America or an affiliate for Travelers. ² ³
If you're a bank, nonprofit or public company, Cowbell's private-company screen likely rules it out. ³ ¹
Ask your broker whether it can reach a Zurich wholesaler, or find a Travelers independent agent. ¹ ³
Get limits and retentions on both quotes. ¹ ³

Cowbell vs Travelers Employment Practices Liability Insurance Compared

Cowbell vs Travelers: Employment Practices Liability Insurance: documented features by provider

Criteria	Cowbell / Zurich Select Plus Employment Practices Liability	Travelers Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPL)
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. ¹Company-reported. FAQ 'What size accounts are targeted?' and Target industries list.	Travelers markets EPL coverage to financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, private companies and public companies. ³Company-reported. Product page "Who is this right for?" section.
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. ¹Company-reported. FAQ 'How can I access the Zurich Select Plus management liability product through Cowbell?'.	EPL coverage is bought through a Travelers independent agent. ³Company-reported. Product page "Find an insurance agent" call to action.
Coverage Features	Cowbell describes EPL as covering claims related to employment practices, including discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment, and other employment-related issues. ¹Company-reported. FAQ 'What is the difference between management liability and D&O?'. 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. ¹Company-reported. FAQ 'What is the most common management liability claim?'.	Travelers says EPL insurance covers defense costs and damages tied to employment-related claims, including wrongful termination, discrimination, workplace harassment and retaliation. ³Company-reported. Product page "What is EPL insurance?" section; exact terms and exclusions are set by the issued policy.
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. ^1,²Company-reported. Management liability page intro and module list; Zurich page module-name section.	Travelers underwrites EPL insurance as part of its Management & Professional Liability line, sold standalone or alongside other management liability coverages. ³Company-reported. Product page general framing; confirmed against the broader Management and Professional Liability Insurance 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. ^1,²Company-reported. Management liability page intro; Zurich page intro and footer.	The product page's video disclosure names Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America and its property casualty affiliates; the specific issuing entity for a given policy can vary. ³Company-reported. Product page video legal footer.