Gallagher vs Hiscox: How Do They Compare for Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance?

Buy it yourself or have it arranged: Hiscox sells professional liability directly online in 49 states and Washington, D.C., while Gallagher Small Business arranges E&O with partner carriers and offers advisor calls.

Hiscox offers online purchase with phone support; Gallagher starts E&O quotes online or through an advisor and places them with partner carriers. ^2,¹

What Are the Key Differences Between Gallagher and Hiscox Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance?

Named Underwriter Versus Unnamed Partner Carrier

Hiscox names the entity that underwrites its admitted professional liability policies:

Gallagher instead arranges E&O with partner carriers rather than underwriting the policy itself, and its product page does not name which carrier would issue a specific policy. ¹

Hiscox's appetite guide and About Hiscox US page name Hiscox Insurance Company Inc. (NAIC 10200) as the underwriter of admitted Hiscox NOW professional-liability policies. ^5,⁴Company-reported. Admitted small-business professional liability as described in company materials; the exact contracting entity for a particular state or channel should be confirmed on the quote.

Policy Trigger

Hiscox describes professional liability as a claims-made policy, meaning a claim is covered only if it is made, and typically reported, while the policy is active, rather than an occurrence policy covering incidents regardless of when the claim surfaces. ³ ¹

What Should You Confirm in Gallagher and Hiscox Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance Quotes?

Confirm which Hiscox entity would issue your policy in your state, since the reviewed page names one admitted underwriter generally. ⁵
Ask Gallagher which partner carrier would underwrite your specific E&O policy, since its page arranges coverage without naming one. ¹
Neither Gallagher's nor Hiscox's reviewed pages publish specific limit or retention amounts; request both directly. ¹ ²
Ask Hiscox what its 24/7 current-customer claims line covers compared with Gallagher's claims process for a policy it arranges. ³

Gallagher vs Hiscox Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance Compared

Gallagher vs Hiscox: Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance: documented features by provider

Criteria	Gallagher Small Business Errors and Omissions Insurance	Hiscox Professional Liability Insurance
Who It’s For	Gallagher recommends E&O for small businesses that provide a specific professional service, naming technology, insurance, accounting, tax, wealth management and legal services, and lists doctors, lawyers, accountants, nurses, caregivers, counselors, social workers and engineers as example professionals; it also notes that many client contracts require carrying E&O. ¹Company-reported. Product page eligibility and recommended-professions lists; actual acceptance depends on underwriting.	Hiscox says professional liability is licensed for sale in 49 states and Washington, D.C., excluding Alaska, and that if it does not sell the product online in a buyer's state, a specialist broker may be able to help instead. ^2,⁵Company-reported. Company-stated jurisdiction for the online small-business catalogue; the appetite guide's technology classes (IT consultants, software development) illustrate typical buyers but do not guarantee acceptance for any one applicant.
How to Apply	Gallagher offers an online quote form, a small business advisor phone line (1-833-292-9441, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., continental U.S.), and a scheduled callback request to start an E&O quote. ¹Company-reported. Product page "Get Covered Now" section.	Hiscox says eligible buyers can quote and buy professional liability online, with licensed advisors available by phone during posted hours for questions during the process. ²Company-reported. Company-described online application; eligibility and binding conditions require confirmation on the actual application.
Coverage Features	Gallagher describes E&O as protecting against client charges of negligence or injury tied to professional services, covering losses, attorney fees and court costs regardless of fault, and specifically responding to alleged or actual negligence, personal injury, copyright infringement, punitive damages, and claims against past work, temporary staff or independent contractors. ¹Company-reported. Product page coverage description; the issued policy and its exclusions control. Note this record excludes medical malpractice, which the page treats as a separate specialized coverage covered under its own line. Gallagher's small-business team says the E&O market has seen consistent rate increases that have started to moderate, driven by higher claim frequency, litigation costs and a more litigious environment, and that insurers are more selective and require more detailed underwriting information. ¹Company-reported. Product page market-commentary section; a general market view, not a quote for any specific business.	Hiscox describes professional liability as a claims-made policy, meaning a claim is covered only if it is made (and typically reported) while the policy is active, rather than an occurrence policy covering incidents regardless of when the claim surfaces. ³Company-reported. Product FAQ description; exact triggers, retroactive dates, exclusions and wording are set by the issued policy.
Role in This Line	Gallagher Small Business arranges errors and omissions (E&O) coverage with partner carriers rather than underwriting the policy itself. ¹Company-reported. Gallagher Small Business's direct-to-small-business E&O product page.	Hiscox Inc., a licensed insurance intermediary, sells professional liability (errors and omissions) coverage directly online to small businesses as part of its Hiscox NOW admitted small-business catalogue. ^4,²Company-reported. Company-stated online small-business channel.