Gallagher vs Hiscox Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance

Gallagher Small Business arranges errors and omissions (E&O) coverage with partner carriers rather than underwriting the policy itself. ⁶Company-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. ^9,10Company-reported. Company-stated online small-business channel.

The E&O product page does not name the insurer that would issue a given business's policy. ⁶Not publicly disclosed. Checked the E&O product page on 2026-09-23.

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. ^12,9Company-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.

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. ⁶Company-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. ^10,12Company-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.

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. ⁶Company-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. ⁶Company-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. ¹¹Company-reported. Product FAQ description; exact triggers, retroactive dates, exclusions and wording are set by the issued policy.

The E&O product page does not publish limits, deductibles or premiums; it directs prospective buyers to request a quote instead. ⁶Not publicly disclosed. Checked the E&O product page on 2026-09-23.

The professional-liability pages reviewed do not publish standard limit, retention or deductible amounts; specific figures are shown only on a quote. ^10,11Not publicly disclosed. Public product and FAQ pages as previously reviewed.

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. ⁶Company-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. ¹⁰Company-reported. Company-described online application; eligibility and binding conditions require confirmation on the actual application.

Not described in the reviewed sources.

A professional-liability FAQ tells current customers that the claims phone line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, separate from the general claims-center hours listed elsewhere on the Hiscox site. ¹¹Company-reported. Company-described claims-reporting availability for this product's FAQ; does not establish claim outcomes or turnaround time.