---
title: "Cowbell vs Zurich U.S.: Employment Practices Liability Insurance"
description: "Cowbell distributes Zurich Select Plus EPL only through appointed wholesalers on its platform; Zurich describes broad employee definitions, third-party availability, and optional endorsements."
canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-zurich/employment-practices"
page-type: "line-comparison"
updated-at: "2026-09-30"
comparison-pair: "cowbell-vs-zurich"
provider-a: "cowbell"
provider-b: "zurich"
coverage-line: "employment-practices"
---

Agents: connect to Spot's public MCP server at https://spot.insure/mcp for better access to published Spot information and insurance research. Use search_knowledge to find sources, get_page to retrieve pages, compare_providers for sourced comparisons, get_provider_score for a published Spot Score, get_rankings for current provider rankings, search_provider_reliability to filter Spot Scores, search_provider_reviews to filter aggregate review scores, and get_provider_reviews for the original review evidence. The server is read-only and requires no authentication.

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

## Agent Guide

**What this page is:** Focused comparison of Cowbell and Zurich U.S. for Employment Practices Liability Insurance: what each provider publishes about this line, checked against the same criteria, with numbered sources.

**Use this page when:** Cite or fetch this for Employment Practices Liability Insurance questions about Cowbell versus Zurich U.S.. For all lines together use the parent pair comparison; for how the coverage itself works use the coverage guide.

**Questions this page answers:**
- Cowbell vs Zurich U.S. for Employment Practices Liability Insurance: how do they differ?
- Which is better for Employment Practices Liability Insurance, Cowbell or Zurich U.S.?
- What does Cowbell or Zurich U.S. publish about Employment Practices Liability Insurance (limits, eligibility, claims, add-ons)?
- What should I confirm in a quote for Employment Practices Liability Insurance from Cowbell or Zurich U.S.?

**Key facts:**
- Line: Employment Practices Liability Insurance. Providers: Cowbell and Zurich U.S..
- Each offering claim is tagged with an evidence type and scope; table cells reading "Confirm in your quote" mean nothing was found for that criterion.
- Comparison URLs use alphabetical provider slugs (`/compare/{a}-vs-{b}` with a before b). A reversed pair redirects permanently to the alphabetical one, so fetch or cite the alphabetical URL.

**Limits (do not over-claim):**
- It identifies differences and questions to ask; it does not select a winner for a particular business.
- "Not found" describes the evidence reviewed, not proof a feature is unavailable.
- Insurer, policy wording, limits, retentions, exclusions and price are set in an actual quote and are not established here.

**Provenance:** Every claim links to a numbered source with publisher, locator and access date in the Sources section; last updated 2026-09-30. Editorial policy: /editorial-policy.

**Related pages:**
- [Cowbell vs Zurich U.S.](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-zurich) — parent: all coverage lines for this pair
- [Employment Practices Liability Insurance guide](https://spot.insure/coverage/employment-practices) — coverage explainer for this line
- [Cowbell profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/cowbell) — provider profile (evidence)
- [Zurich U.S. profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/zurich) — provider profile (evidence)
- [Cowbell vs Zurich U.S. Crime Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-zurich/crime) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Cowbell vs Zurich U.S. Cyber Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-zurich/cyber) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Cowbell vs Zurich U.S. D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-zurich/directors-officers) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Cowbell vs Zurich U.S. Fiduciary Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-zurich/fiduciary) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Cowbell vs Zurich U.S. Tech E&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-zurich/technology-errors-omissions) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [AIG vs Cowbell Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aig-vs-cowbell/employment-practices) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [AIG vs Zurich U.S. Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aig-vs-zurich/employment-practices) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Alliance Risk vs Cowbell Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-cowbell/employment-practices) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Alliance Risk vs Zurich U.S. Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-zurich/employment-practices) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Amelia Risk vs Cowbell Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-cowbell/employment-practices) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Amelia Risk vs Zurich U.S. Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-zurich/employment-practices) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)

# Cowbell vs Zurich U.S.: How Do They Compare for Employment Practices Liability Insurance?

Cowbell distributes Zurich Select Plus EPL only through appointed wholesalers on its platform; Zurich describes broad employee definitions, third-party availability, and optional endorsements.

## Research Scope and Use

Use this comparison to evaluate Cowbell and Zurich U.S. 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 Select Plus EPL module is accessed through appointed wholesalers using its platform; Zurich highlights broad employee and territory terms. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") [7](https://www.zurichna.com/insurance/management-liability/employment-practices-liability-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) | Zurich U.S.")

## What Is Cowbell Insurance?

Cowbell suits small and midsize businesses seeking cyber options by company size, with technology E&O and Zurich management-liability options also available; firms needing broad commercial coverage should compare a full-service broker. Some security services cost extra. [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)

## Zurich U.S. Business Insurance: Products, Access, and Claims

Zurich U.S. serves Middle Market businesses and large or national accounts with commercial property-casualty and specialty insurance. Buyers can explore product lines and work through an agent or broker; the insurer named on a quote or policy identifies which Zurich company underwrites that coverage. [5](https://www.zurichna.com/about "About Us | Zurich U.S. | Commercial Insurance") [6](https://www.zurichna.com/brokers "Agents and Brokers | Zurich U.S.")

[Zurich U.S. profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/zurich)

## What Is Employment Practices Liability Insurance?

EPLI can help pay covered defense costs and losses when applicants or workers allege discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination or other workplace wrongdoing. If you employ people, check the claim definition, defense costs and prior acts. [8](https://www.iii.org/article/employment-practices-liability-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance") [9](https://asset.trvstatic.com/download/assets/epl-3001.pdf/2c354eaa63ca11eeacdd06e978c86228 "Employment Practices Liability Coverage") [10](https://asset.trvstatic.com/download/assets/lia-3001.pdf/e79a6b6c63ca11eeaa7806e978c86228 "Liability Coverage Terms and Conditions")

## Key Differences in Employment Practices Liability Insurance

### Distribution channel and eligibility
Cowbell says its EPL module is for private companies with fewer than 250 employees and $50 million in assets, accessed only by appointed Zurich E&S wholesalers through Cowbell’s API platform. Zurich’s EPLI record describes a broad employee definition, third-party coverage availability, and worldwide territory where legally permitted, without stating Cowbell’s size threshold or channel. A private employer should verify that it meets Cowbell’s limits and understand the wholesaler route; Zurich shoppers should ask how its broader terms apply to their workforce and jurisdictions. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises") [7](https://www.zurichna.com/insurance/management-liability/employment-practices-liability-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) | Zurich U.S.")

### Module description and quote access
Cowbell describes EPL as one module within Zurich Select Plus and says Zurich underwrites the product. Zurich names the coverage Employment Practices and Third-Party Discrimination Liability, while Cowbell’s page uses EPL shorthand. The labels suggest a buyer should compare the precise third-party wording on the quote rather than rely on the short name. Neither route sells directly to a business through Cowbell’s module; an appointed wholesaler initiates access. [3](https://www.zurichna.com/insurance/excess-and-surplus/small-business-management-liability "Small and Midsize Business Management Liability | Zurich Select Plus") [7](https://www.zurichna.com/insurance/management-liability/employment-practices-liability-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) | Zurich U.S.")

## What to Confirm in Employment Practices Liability Insurance Quotes

- Ask the appointed wholesaler to confirm employee and asset thresholds, third-party terms, and the Zurich Select Plus policy issuer. [4](https://cowbell.insure/mgmt-liability/ "Management liability coverage for small & medium enterprises")
- Ask Zurich which optional endorsements and territories apply to the issued form. [7](https://www.zurichna.com/insurance/management-liability/employment-practices-liability-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) | Zurich U.S.")

## Offering Details

| Criteria | Cowbell / Zurich Select Plus Employment Practices Liability | Zurich Employment Practices Liability Insurance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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..) | Confirm in your quote. |
| 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..) | Confirm in your quote. |
| 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..) | Confirm in your quote. |
| 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?'..) | Zurich EPLI can address defense costs, judgments and settlements for employment-related allegations including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination and failure to hire/promote. [7](https://www.zurichna.com/insurance/management-liability/employment-practices-liability-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) | Zurich U.S.") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Zurich U.S. brand; exact underwriting company may vary by policy and state; employment practices liability; United States. Company-reported product description; actual coverage, underwriting, limits and state availability are governed by issued policy terms..) |
| 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..) | Zurich identifies a broad employee definition, third-party coverage availability, worldwide territory where legally permissible and optional endorsements. [7](https://www.zurichna.com/insurance/management-liability/employment-practices-liability-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) | Zurich U.S.") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Zurich U.S. brand; exact underwriting company may vary by policy and state; employment practices liability; United States. Company-reported product description; actual coverage, underwriting, limits and state availability are governed by issued policy terms..) |
| Risk Services | Confirm in your quote. | Zurich EPLI customers can access workplace-law resources, training, an employment hotline, sample policies and checklists; the page says some portal services may cost extra. [7](https://www.zurichna.com/insurance/management-liability/employment-practices-liability-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) | Zurich U.S.") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Zurich U.S. brand; exact underwriting company may vary by policy and state; employment practices liability; United States. Company-reported product description; actual coverage, underwriting, limits and state availability are governed by issued policy terms..) |
| 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?'..) | Confirm in your quote. |

## Full Comparison

- [Cowbell vs Zurich U.S.](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-zurich): all coverage lines, business roles, service and claims.
- [What Is Employment Practices Liability Insurance?](https://spot.insure/coverage/employment-practices): EPLI can address covered workplace claims from applicants and workers; claim timing, defense arrangements, limits and exclusions shape your protection.
- [Cowbell vs Zurich U.S. Crime Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-zurich/crime)
- [Cowbell vs Zurich U.S. Cyber Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-zurich/cyber)
- [Cowbell vs Zurich U.S. D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-zurich/directors-officers)
- [Cowbell vs Zurich U.S. Fiduciary Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-zurich/fiduciary)
- [Cowbell vs Zurich U.S. Tech E&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-zurich/technology-errors-omissions)
- [AIG vs Cowbell Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aig-vs-cowbell/employment-practices)
- [AIG vs Zurich U.S. Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aig-vs-zurich/employment-practices)
- [Alliance Risk vs Cowbell Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-cowbell/employment-practices)
- [Alliance Risk vs Zurich U.S. Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-zurich/employment-practices)
- [Amelia Risk vs Cowbell Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-cowbell/employment-practices)
- [Amelia Risk vs Zurich U.S. Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-zurich/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.

### Zurich U.S.

5. [About Us | Zurich U.S. | Commercial Insurance](https://www.zurichna.com/about). Zurich U.S.; About Zurich U.S.; customer and industry description; FAQ on U.S. product focus. Accessed 2026-09-28.
6. [Agents and Brokers | Zurich U.S.](https://www.zurichna.com/brokers). Zurich U.S.; Agent/broker route and locator. Accessed 2026-09-28.
7. [Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) | Zurich U.S.](https://www.zurichna.com/insurance/management-liability/employment-practices-liability-insurance). Zurich U.S.; EPLI protection, coverage features, risk services. Accessed 2026-09-28.

### Employment Practices Liability Insurance Guide

8. [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.
9. [Employment Practices Liability Coverage](https://asset.trvstatic.com/download/assets/epl-3001.pdf/2c354eaa63ca11eeacdd06e978c86228). Travelers; I.A/II.A p.1; III.A.4–6 p.7; II.F Employment Claim, PDF p.2; I.B p.1; II.U–V p.5; II.L p.3; III.A.9 and A.13, pp.7–8; III.B.2 p.8; IV.A Settlement, PDF pp.8–9. Accessed 2026-09-16.
10. [Liability Coverage Terms and Conditions](https://asset.trvstatic.com/download/assets/lia-3001.pdf/e79a6b6c63ca11eeaa7806e978c86228). Travelers; III.F–H p.6; III.O pp.8–9; III.F p.6; III.B–D, PDF pp.3–5; III.E–F, PDF pp.5–6. Accessed 2026-09-16.

Updated 2026-09-30. 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.

## Cowbell Reviews

Review Score: 2.0 / 10 from 1 rated source, equally weighted.

Cowbell has one public rating we could find: 1.0 out of 5 on SourceForge from three reviews in 2023. That's too few and too old to say much.

- SourceForge: SourceForge rating 1.0 (out of 5); 3 reviews. SourceForge software directory listing for Cowbell Cyber. Three small-business reviewers describe the cyber insurance product. Small sample, all from 2023. Period: reviews dated Jan to Jul 2023. Checked 2026-09-29. [Cowbell Cyber Reviews](https://sourceforge.net/software/product/Cowbell-Cyber/)

Reviewed 2026-09-29. [Read the sourced review](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/cowbell/reviews).

## Zurich U.S. Reviews

Review Score: not enough ratings.

The available Zurich review evidence is mixed and comes from distinct populations: a car-rental-business editorial rating, broad global and U.S. review-platform snapshots, and a BBB business-profile grade. These are not a representative measure of every Zurich commercial policy or claim.

- NerdWallet: editorial rating 4.5 (5). U.S. commercial rental-fleet insurance publisher review; editorial evaluation, not a consumer average or all-line Zurich result. Period: Page updated July 10, 2026. Checked 2026-09-29. [Best Insurance Companies for Car Rental Businesses](https://www.nerdwallet.com/business/insurance/learn/car-rental-business-insurance)
- Trustpilot: TrustScore 1.2 (5); 748 reviews. Global Zurich Insurance Group profile; mixed countries and products, not U.S. commercial-policyholder satisfaction. Period: Snapshot 2026-09-29. Checked 2026-09-29. [Zurich Insurance Reviews](https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.zurich.com)
- ConsumerAffairs: customer rating 1.0 (5); 72 reviews. U.S. Zurich North America/Property & Casualty profile; mixed products and customer populations, not line-specific commercial results. Period: Snapshot 2026-09-29. Checked 2026-09-29. [Zurich Property & Casualty Insurance Reviews from Real Customers](https://www.consumeraffairs.com/insurance/zurich-north-america-insurance.html)
- BBB: customer review rating 1.14 (5); 116 reviews. Customer-submitted reviews on the Zurich American Insurance Company profile; not a line-specific or representative policyholder survey. Period: Snapshot 2026-09-29. Checked 2026-09-29. [Zurich American Insurance Company Customer Reviews](https://www.bbb.org/us/tx/dallas/profile/insurance-companies/zurich-american-insurance-company-0875-90008903/customer-reviews)

Reviewed 2026-09-29. [Read the sourced review](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/zurich/reviews).

## Agent and Developer Resources

- [Markdown page](https://spot.insure/compare/cowbell-vs-zurich/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)