Gallagher vs Lockton

Compare Gallagher and Lockton for a technology company needing international program design, coordinated placement and defined claims advocacy.

Introduction

A technology company opening overseas operations needs a broker to coordinate the program, not merely add a coverage label. Lockton’s technology practice lists international program design and contract review. Gallagher describes services for technology companies through global-enterprise scale. Ask each team to map the planned entities and operations to a specific placement and servicing plan. 15 2

Where Each Provider Shines

Where Gallagher Shines

  • Technology specialists for startups through global enterprises. 2,7
  • Executive-risk and transaction support, including IPOs and M&A. 3

Where Lockton Shines

  • Lockton describes itself as a privately held independent broker for risk, employee benefits and retirement, not as the insurer on the policies it places. 14,26,33
  • US pages list brokerage for cyber and privacy, directors and officers, casualty (including general and product liability, auto, cargo, umbrella and workers’ compensation), property, fiduciary liability and employee benefits. 15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23

Coverage Comparison

Coverage TypeGallagherLockton
Builders riskListed 11Not listed
Business owner’s policyListed 6Not listed
Cargo and transitNot listedListed 18
Commercial autoListed 6Listed 18
Commercial propertyListed 6Listed 19
CrimeListed 3Listed 23
Cyber liabilityListed 2Listed 16,15
Directors and officersListed 3Listed 17,15
Employee health and benefitsListed 2Listed 21
Employment practices liabilityListed 3Listed 23
Equipment breakdownListed 11Not listed
Fidelity bondsListed 3Not listed
Fiduciary liabilityListed 3Listed 22
General liabilityListed 6Listed 18
Intellectual propertyListed 2Not listed
Key personNot listedListed 23
Kidnap and ransomListed 3Not listed
Product liabilityListed 2Listed 18
Product recallListed 12Not listed
Professional liability / E&OListed 6Listed 23
Representations and warrantiesListed 3Listed 23
Surety bondsListed 7Listed 23
Technology errors and omissionsListed 2Not listed
Umbrella and excess liabilityListed 10Listed 18
Workers’ compensationListed 6Listed 20,18

Listed products and programs, including policies arranged through insurers or partners. Optional endorsements are discussed in the analysis below. “Not listed” means no separate offering appears in the reviewed catalogue; confirm availability and policy terms with the provider.

Key Differences Between Gallagher and Lockton

Test the Proposed Team’s Responsibilities

Lockton’s property practice says the team meeting the client also negotiates with markets, and its casualty practice describes a dedicated service team. Gallagher’s casualty practice describes renewal work with finance, HR, operations and risk teams. For a lean finance function, compare who gathers subsidiary data, negotiates terms and follows through on outstanding documents. These descriptions are proposals to test in an engagement, not independently measured service results. 19 18 10

Lockton markets round-the-clock technology service; Gallagher markets named technology administration tools. Ask what contact coverage and tools your account receives, especially when overseas teams operate outside California business hours. 15 2

Separate Market Access from Authority to Bind

Lockton says it is not obligated to use any particular insurer, is generally not authorized to bind insurers except in circumstances it says it will try to disclose, and does not guarantee placement on acceptable terms. Cyber pages refer to insurer partners without naming them. The workers’ compensation page claims access to more than 100 regional, global and program markets without listing those markets. Surplus-lines insurers may appear in a proposal when admitted markets cannot meet requested terms. Named issuing companies for a buyer’s policies were not disclosed on the reviewed pages. 26,16,20

Gallagher’s executive-risk practice discusses choosing underwriters according to qualifications and client preferences, but that does not supply a named issuer for your account either. Request the proposed markets, local policy arrangements and person authorized to confirm binding. A California office is not evidence that a particular foreign or domestic placement is available. 3 30 5

Put Claims and Compensation Into the Same Scope of Work

Lockton describes claims counsel integrated with broking and says advocacy is not treated as a profit center. Gallagher describes executive-risk claims specialists, including attorneys. Neither statement determines coverage or makes the broker the claims-paying insurer. Define the assistance included for each line and when separate specialist work would be charged. 17 24 3

Both firms disclose potential compensation beyond base insurer commissions. Ask whether affiliates or intermediaries are involved and request account-specific amounts rather than inferring a fee model from ownership or independence language. 26 4

What to Confirm in Quotes

  • Which entities, countries and operations are included in the program design and renewal timetable?
  • Will the named client team negotiate placements directly, and who handles local policies?
  • What constitutes binding confirmation, and from whom will it come?
  • Define included claims work, outside specialists and every compensation layer in the engagement.

Service Comparison

Gallagher vs Lockton: documented services and availability

CriteriaGallagherLockton
Application process

The small-business quote link opens an advisor inquiry form asking for company and contact details, business description, coverage interests, employee count and annual revenue. Telephone and scheduled-advisor contact are also offered. This observed entry point does not establish instant binding or a turnaround time. 8,9

Public US application starts as an inquiry: the US contact form (Ask an Expert) and industry pages invite buyers to connect with a team. The privacy notice refers to soliciting an insurance policy quote. The Cyber & Technology page publishes cyber@lockton.com. Reviewed pages do not describe a self-serve bind flow, published quote turnaround, or an unauthenticated online application that issues a policy without a Lockton representative. 25,14,28,16,27

Access to insurers

Gallagher describes access to multiple insurance markets. Its executive-risk practice says it considers carrier qualifications and client preferences when selecting potential underwriters; these pages do not identify the insurer that would write a specific startup’s policy. 6,3

Lockton says it is not obligated to use any particular insurer, is generally not authorized to bind insurers except in circumstances it says it will try to disclose, and does not guarantee placement on acceptable terms. Cyber pages refer to insurer partners without naming them. The workers’ compensation page claims access to more than 100 regional, global and program markets without listing those markets. Surplus-lines insurers may appear in a proposal when admitted markets cannot meet requested terms. Named issuing companies for a buyer’s policies were not disclosed on the reviewed pages. 26,16,20

Servicing and renewals

Gallagher describes Go for client information and self-service, Submit for submission tracking and documents, and Verify for certificate management. Confirm which tools and service team your engagement includes. 2

For former Woodruff Sawyer clients, Gallagher links WS Connect for benefits and documents, Woodruff360 for policies, claim submission and certificates, and CSR 24 for certificates and auto ID cards. 1

Gallagher’s casualty practice describes pre-renewal meetings involving finance, HR, operations and risk-management stakeholders, alongside contract reviews and coverage-gap analysis. Confirm the renewal timetable and deliverables for your account. 10

Casualty pages say the same dedicated service team stays with the client through the process. Technology pages describe a round-the-clock service model. Terms of Business cover day-to-day servicing, risk control, insurance renewal services, policy administration and the use of intermediaries (including Lockton affiliates) in servicing and placement. Property pages say the team that meets the client also negotiates with markets rather than a remote broking center. A public client-portal feature list was not established beyond a Lockton Portal login link on the US site. 18,15,26,19,14

Claims assistance

Gallagher’s executive-risk practice describes a dedicated claims-advocacy team, including specialized attorneys, working with clients and carriers through claims. This establishes a stated support service, not a guarantee of payment or evidence of claims-handling quality. 3

Lockton describes claims advocacy as a service, not as the insurer paying claims. Technology, D&O and fiduciary pages say a Professional & Executive Risk Claims team, including insurance and claims counsel, is integrated with the broking team and that claims advocacy is not treated as a profit center. Loss-prevention pages describe claims consulting: investigations, mapping facts to policies, preparing presentations, and discussions with insurer lawyers and loss adjusters. Workers’ compensation pages mention claims service advocates. Terms of Business include claims handling and claims processing among Lockton’s intermediary services and state Lockton is not responsible for an insurer’s solvency or willingness to pay. These descriptions do not establish claims outcomes or handling quality. 15,17,22,24,20,26

Fees and compensation

Gallagher discloses brokerage commissions or fees, sometimes both, as well as possible contingent and supplemental commissions. Affiliates or other intermediaries may also earn compensation. It directs clients to their representative for placement-specific details; the disclosure provides no startup fee schedule. 4

US Terms of Business say Lockton may be paid insurer commissions (a percentage of premium), negotiated client fees in lieu of or in addition to commissions, additional compensation such as contingent or supplemental commissions, insurer service fees (including for some managing-general-agency or analytics work), compensation involving affiliate Lockton Re, LLC on reinsurance placements, and interest or premium-finance related income. Commissions are described as fully earned at inception unless law or insurer contracts say otherwise. The terms tell clients to ask their Lockton representative for account-specific compensation. No public fee schedule, commission percentages or typical startup pricing appears on the reviewed pages. 26

Sources

Gallagher Official Website

  1. Woodruff Sawyer Is Now Gallagher. Gallagher; Opening; Executive and Financial Risk consulting; Continued access to client portals; contact form. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  2. Technology Insurance. Gallagher; Introduction; Solutions and coverages for the technology industry; Data-driven insights; global network. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  3. Executive and Financial Risk Insurance. Gallagher; Three key services; D&O; IPO and direct listings; EPL; fiduciary; crime and fidelity; kidnap; M&A. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  4. Compensation Disclosure. Gallagher; Commissions and Fees; Contingent Commissions; Supplemental Commissions; Other Carrier Services. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  5. Legal Information. Gallagher Small Business; Producer identification immediately above Quick Links. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  6. The Right Insurance for Your Small Business. Gallagher Small Business; Choose Your Coverage; carrier network. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  7. Insurance for Technology & IT Businesses. Gallagher Small Business; Protection for IT Professionals; coverage menu; Connect With An Advisor. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  8. Connect With an Advisor. Gallagher Small Business; Form fields from company name through annual revenue; acknowledgment. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  9. Contact Us. Gallagher Small Business; Get a Quote; Speak With An Advisor; Schedule Time with Us. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  10. Casualty Insurance. Gallagher; Holistic approach; Robust casualty risk analysis. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  11. Property Insurance. Gallagher; Our services include; global reach; Appraisal services. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  12. Product Recall Insurance. Gallagher; Product Recall team description before Product recall insurance coverage. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  13. AI Insurance Solutions. Gallagher; AI designed to protect trust in a changing risk landscape. Accessed 2026-09-16.

Lockton Official Website

  1. Lockton United States. Lockton; Opening description of independent insurance brokerage for risk, benefits and retirement; Ask an Expert link to contact-us. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  2. Technology. Lockton; Industry introduction; cyber liability heading; dedicated technology team; listed services including claims advocacy, contract review, directors and officers liability, and international program design; 24/7 service model. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  3. Cyber & Technology. Lockton; A complete solution to inform, improve, and insure cyber and privacy risk; insurer partnerships; Insure step including claim life cycle; contact cyber@lockton.com. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  4. D&O Insurance. Lockton; Program description; Side A/B/C overview; who can be covered; Claims management and Professional & Executive Risk Claims team. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  5. Casualty Insurance. Lockton; Introduction on designing and placing liability, auto and workers compensation; Casualty Insurance Solutions list: Auto, Cargo, General & Product Liability, Umbrella & Excess Liability, Workers' Compensation; dedicated service team. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  6. Property Insurance. Lockton; Matching property risks to the global marketplace; manuscript property policy; assistance with complex claim recovery; no centralized broking centers claim. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  7. Workers' Compensation. Lockton; Program design with claims experts; access to more than 100 regional, global and program markets; claims service advocates. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  8. Lockton People Solutions. Lockton; Introducing Lockton People Solutions; FAQ on products (employee experiences, total rewards and benefits, management and measurement) and private ownership. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  9. Fiduciary Liability Insurance. Lockton; What is fiduciary liability insurance; typical coverage list; claims management; distinction from ERISA bonds. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  10. Risk & People Solutions for Private Equity Firms. Lockton; Lockton capabilities list including D&O/GPL, transaction insurance (reps, tax, litigation), E&O, crime and FI bonds, cyber, EPL, surety, portfolio company programs, key person, and benefits design. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  11. Loss Prevention and Claims. Lockton; Claims consulting description: investigations, policy mapping, discussions with insurer lawyers and loss adjusters; documenting and presenting claims. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  12. Contact Us. Lockton; Inquiry form requiring Terms of Use and Privacy Notice acknowledgment; general enquiries mailbox disclaimer. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  13. US Terms of Business. Lockton; Opening entity definition; Surplus Lines; Use of a Particular Insurer; Compensation Disclosure; servicing, claims handling and renewal language in Confidentiality section; Intermediaries. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  14. Lockton US Terms of Use. Lockton; Who we are: Lockton, Inc., Missouri corporation, charter number 00498854; Kansas City principal office; last updated October 15, 2021; Site content is general information, not broking or insurance advice. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  15. Lockton Companies Website Privacy Notice. Lockton; Last updated January 2025; collection when visitors solicit an insurance policy quote; disclosure to insurance companies and intermediaries for quotes. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  16. Offices - Lockton US. Lockton; Global headquarters Kansas City, 444 W 47th St. Suite 900; US inquiry email KC-Inquiries@lockton.com. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  17. Lockton Insurance Brokers - San Francisco. Lockton; Office heading Lockton Insurance Brokers - San Francisco; Suite 600, Three Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA 94111. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  18. Lockton Insurance Brokers - Los Angeles. Lockton; Office heading and 777 S. Figueroa St. Suite 5200, Los Angeles, CA 90017. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  19. Lockton Insurance Brokers - Irvine. Lockton; Office heading and 19800 MacArthur Blvd., Irvine, CA 92612. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  20. Our Story. Lockton; Independence changes everything; family organization and private ownership statements; insurance, employee benefits consulting and retirement services. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  21. Lockton-produced certificate of insurance producer header. Lockton; Producer block: Lockton Companies, LLC DBA Lockton Insurance Brokers, LLC in CA; CA license #0F15767. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  22. California Department of Insurance — Check a License. California Department of Insurance; Public license-status inquiry landing page; interactive lookup not completed with a returned license detail record in this research pass. Accessed 2026-09-16.

Updated . Spot, a product of Tools for Enlightenment, publishes this research and works in the commercial insurance market. Editorial policy. To suggest a correction, contact Spot with the page URL and supporting source.

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