---
title: "Cowbell vs Travelers Employment Practices Liability Insurance"
description: "Cowbell distributes Zurich Select Plus EPL through wholesalers for smaller private companies; Travelers underwrites EPL through independent agents."
canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-travelers/employment-practices"
page-type: "line-comparison"
updated-at: "2026-09-23"
---

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[Human-readable page](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-travelers/employment-practices)

# Cowbell vs Travelers Employment Practices Liability Insurance

Cowbell distributes Zurich Select Plus EPL through wholesalers for smaller private companies; Travelers underwrites EPL through independent agents.

## Research Scope and Use

Use this comparison to evaluate Cowbell and Travelers for Employment Practices 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 EPL module is Zurich Select Plus on admitted paper, accessed only by appointed E&S wholesalers, for private companies under 250 employees and $50 million in assets. Travelers underwrites EPL in Management & Professional Liability, names Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America in its video footer, and sells through independent agents to financial institutions, nonprofits, and private and public companies. [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") [8](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/employment-practices "Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPL)")

## 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 Travelers Insurance?

Travelers is a U.S. property-casualty insurance group that markets business coverage, including a technology practice, through independent agents and brokers. Buyers can investigate CyberRisk Tech, a small-business technology-services policy, and other commercial lines, then confirm the issuing company and California availability on a quote. [5](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/technology "Technology Insurance") [6](https://www.travelers.com/about-travelers/producer-compensation-disclosure "Travelers Producer Compensation Disclosure (United States)") [7](https://www.travelers.com/contact-us "Contact Us")

[Travelers profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/travelers)

## What Is Employment Practices Liability Insurance?

Employment practices liability insurance addresses claims alleging workplace wrongdoing, such as discrimination, harassment and wrongful termination. [9](https://www.iii.org/article/employment-practices-liability-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance")

## Key Differences in Employment Practices Liability Insurance

### Two Carriers, Two Distribution Rules

Cowbell and Zurich say Select Plus EPL is written on Zurich admitted paper, sold only through appointed Zurich E&S wholesalers on Cowbell’s API. Travelers underwrites EPL itself and sells it through a Travelers independent agent, standalone or alongside other management-liability coverages. Travelers’ video footer names Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America and affiliates; Zurich’s site footer names Zurich American Insurance Company in copyright without stating that entity is the EPL issuer. [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") [8](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/employment-practices "Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPL)")

### Public Companies and Financial Institutions

Cowbell’s target is private companies under 250 employees and under $50 million in assets. Travelers markets EPL to financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, private companies and public companies—segments Cowbell’s private-SME screen does not list. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") [8](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/employment-practices "Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPL)")

### What Each Page Says About Claims

Travelers says EPL covers defense costs and damages for wrongful termination, discrimination, workplace harassment and retaliation. Cowbell uses a similar employment-practices list and says EPL claims are the most common type of management-liability claim, often alleging discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment or retaliation for a legally protected activity such as filing a complaint or whistleblowing. Neither page publishes EPL limits; Travelers cites illustrative settlements from $45,000 to $280,000 as risk context, not policy terms. [8](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/employment-practices "Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPL)") [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises")

## What to Confirm in Employment Practices Liability Insurance Quotes

- Confirm the writing company on each declarations page: Zurich paper versus Travelers Casualty and Surety of America or an affiliate. [3](https://www.zurichna.com/insurance/excess-and-surplus/small-business-management-liability "Small and Midsize Business Management Liability | Zurich Select Plus") [8](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/employment-practices "Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPL)")
- If you are a bank, nonprofit or public company, ask whether Select Plus even applies; Travelers lists those buyers and Cowbell describes a private-company screen. [8](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/employment-practices "Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPL)") [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises")
- Ask whether you must use a Zurich E&S wholesaler or a Travelers independent agent. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") [8](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/employment-practices "Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPL)")
- Get limits and retentions from both quotes. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") [8](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/employment-practices "Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPL)")

## Offering Details

| Criteria | Cowbell / Zurich Select Plus Employment Practices Liability | Travelers Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPL) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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. [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..) | Travelers underwrites EPL insurance as part of its Management & Professional Liability line, sold standalone or alongside other management liability coverages. [8](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/employment-practices "Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPL)") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: 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. [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 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. [8](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/employment-practices "Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPL)") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Product page video legal footer..) |
| 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. [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..) | Travelers markets EPL coverage to financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, private companies and public companies. [8](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/employment-practices "Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPL)") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Product page "Who is this right for?" section..) |
| Coverage Features | Cowbell describes EPL as covering claims related to employment practices, including discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment, and other employment-related issues. [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?'..)<br><br>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. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: 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. [8](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/employment-practices "Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPL)") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Product page "What is EPL insurance?" section; exact terms and exclusions are set by the issued policy..) |
| Limits and Retentions | Neither the Cowbell page nor Zurich's own Select Plus page, both read in full, publishes EPL 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..) | The reviewed page does not publish EPL limits, retentions or premiums; it references illustrative settlement examples (from $45,000 to $280,000, including defense costs) as general risk context, not as policy terms. [8](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/employment-practices "Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPL)") (Evidence: Not found in reviewed sources; scope: Product page video claim scenarios as read on 2026-09-23..) |
| 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. [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?'..) | EPL coverage is bought through a Travelers independent agent. [8](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/employment-practices "Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPL)") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Product page "Find an insurance agent" call to action..) |

## Full Comparison

- [Cowbell vs Travelers](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-travelers): all coverage lines, business roles, service and claims.
- [What Is Employment Practices Liability Insurance?](https://spot.insure/coverage/employment-practices): Employment practices liability insurance can help defend your business against covered claims of discrimination, harassment and wrongful termination.
- [Cowbell vs Travelers Crime Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-travelers/crime)
- [Cowbell vs Travelers Cyber Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-travelers/cyber)
- [Cowbell vs Travelers D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-travelers/directors-officers)
- [Cowbell vs Travelers Fiduciary Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-travelers/fiduciary)
- [Cowbell vs Travelers Management Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-travelers/management-liability)
- [Cowbell vs Travelers Tech E&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-travelers/technology-errors-omissions)
- [Alliance Risk vs Cowbell Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-cowbell/employment-practices)
- [Alliance Risk vs Travelers Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-travelers/employment-practices)
- [Amelia Risk vs Cowbell Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-cowbell/employment-practices)
- [Amelia Risk vs Travelers Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-travelers/employment-practices)
- [Beazley vs Cowbell Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/beazley-vs-cowbell/employment-practices)
- [Beazley vs Travelers Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/beazley-vs-travelers/employment-practices)

## 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 'Employment Practices and Third-Party Discrimination Liability'; FAQ 'What is the difference between management liability and D&O?' and 'What is the most common management liability claim?' (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?' (EPL definition); FAQ 'What is the most common management liability claim?' (EPL claim types); Target industries list. Accessed 2026-09-23.

### Travelers

5. [Technology Insurance](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/technology). Travelers; Technology insurance products we offer: CyberRisk Tech, Global Companion Plus+, general liability, commercial property, workers compensation, commercial auto, umbrella; startup-to-established-leader audience. Accessed 2026-09-16.
6. [Travelers Producer Compensation Disclosure (United States)](https://www.travelers.com/about-travelers/producer-compensation-disclosure). Travelers; Independent producers; seven compensation types; Simply Business, Inc. and InsuraMatch, LLC ownership; The Travelers Indemnity Company footer; Northfield Excess & Surplus Lines product list. Accessed 2026-09-16.
7. [Contact Us](https://www.travelers.com/contact-us). Travelers; Business insurance sold through independent agents; business claims 1.800.238.6225; MyTravelers for business features. Accessed 2026-09-16.
8. [Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPL)](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/employment-practices). Travelers; What is EPL insurance?; Who is this right for?; video legal footer naming Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America. Accessed 2026-09-23.

### Employment Practices Liability Insurance Guide

9. [Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://www.iii.org/article/employment-practices-liability-insurance). Insurance Information Institute; Opening; What EPLI covers; Steps to limit employment liability risk. 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.

## Agent and Developer Resources

- [Markdown page](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-travelers/employment-practices.md)
- [Developer resources](https://spot.insure/developers)
- [Public MCP server](https://spot.insure/mcp)
- [MCP server manifest](https://spot.insure/server.json)
- [OpenAPI description](https://spot.insure/openapi.json)
- [Public page index](https://spot.insure/llms.txt)