---
title: "Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs Pie Insurance Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance"
description: "Pie names four specific claim types and a criminal-prosecution exclusion for E&O; Heffernan's page describes the coverage in general terms."
canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/heffernan-vs-pie-insurance/professional-errors-omissions"
page-type: "line-comparison"
updated-at: "2026-09-23"
---

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# Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs Pie Insurance Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance

Pie names four specific claim types and a criminal-prosecution exclusion for E&O; Heffernan's page describes the coverage in general terms.

## Research Scope and Use

Use this comparison to evaluate Heffernan Insurance Brokers and Pie Insurance for Professional Liability (E&O) 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

Pie names four specific claim types its E&O coverage responds to and states it excludes criminal prosecution, while Heffernan's page describes the coverage only in general terms. [8](https://www.pieinsurance.com/errors-and-omissions-insurance "Errors and Omissions Insurance") [4](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/small-business/ "Small Business Insurance")

## What Is Heffernan Insurance Brokers?

Heffernan Insurance Brokers is an independent, Walnut Creek–headquartered retail brokerage that arranges business insurance, employee benefits, and related services. Its technology practice markets to mid- and late-stage companies, including venture-funded and pre-IPO firms. [1](https://www.heffins.com/about-us/our-story/ "Our Story") [2](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/technology/ "Technology Company Insurance") [3](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage")

[Heffernan Insurance Brokers profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/heffernan)

## What Is Pie Insurance?

Pie Insurance sells and administers small-business commercial insurance, with affiliated carriers writing its workers’ compensation program and outside carrier partners supporting selected other products. Businesses can start a workers’ compensation quote online or use an agent, then manage documents, certificates, billing, audits and claim reporting through Pie’s service channels. [5](https://www.pieinsurance.com/legal "Legal") [6](https://www.pieinsurance.com/workers-comp "Workers’ Comp Insurance For Small Businesses") [7](https://www.pieinsurance.com/resource-center/online-account-tutorial "Online Account Tutorial")

[Pie Insurance profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/pie-insurance)

## What Is Professional Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance?

Professional errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, also called professional liability insurance, addresses claims that professional services or advice caused a client financial loss. What's covered depends on the services actually scheduled in the policy, not the product label alone. [9](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/commercial/pl-faq.html "FAQ: Professional liability insurance") [10](https://www.iii.org/article/professional-liability-insurance "Professional liability insurance") [11](https://www.sba.gov/counseling/launch-your-business/#business-insurance "Get business insurance") [12](https://www.hiscox.com/documents/pl-sample-policy-wording.pdf "Professional Liability – US Direct Errors and Omissions Insurance")

## Key Differences in Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance

### How Specifically Each Describes Coverage

Pie describes errors and omissions insurance as covering legal fees, costs, and damages for claims that a business's advice or services caused harm, naming inaccurate advice, misrepresentation, negligence, and violation of good faith as covered claim types, and states the policy does not protect against criminal prosecution:

Pie describes errors and omissions insurance, also called professional liability insurance, as covering legal fees, costs, and damages for claims that a business's advice or services caused harm, including claims of inaccurate advice, misrepresentation, negligence, or violation of good faith, but says it does not protect against criminal prosecution. [8](https://www.pieinsurance.com/errors-and-omissions-insurance "Errors and Omissions Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Errors and Omissions product page as read on 2026-09-23; the issued policy controls actual insuring agreements and exclusions..)

Heffernan's reviewed page describes the coverage more generally, as protecting against claims for problems with a product or service that result in a client financial loss, without naming specific claim types or exclusions. [4](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/small-business/ "Small Business Insurance")

### Which Professionals Each Names

Pie names architects, contractors, attorneys, engineers, consultants, marketers, counselors, and real estate agents as professionals who often carry E&O insurance. [8](https://www.pieinsurance.com/errors-and-omissions-insurance "Errors and Omissions Insurance") Heffernan names a different, broader small-business list, spanning construction, food, health care, hospitality, nonprofits, real estate, technology, transportation, and vintners and growers, and offers to build a custom package for industries not listed. [4](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/small-business/ "Small Business Insurance")

### Starting a Quote

Pie directs buyers to contact the company to start an E&O quote through its website. [8](https://www.pieinsurance.com/errors-and-omissions-insurance "Errors and Omissions Insurance") Heffernan directs buyers to contact its small-business division directly, a similar first step, though Heffernan's page additionally describes custom-designing a package when a client's industry isn't already on its list. [4](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/small-business/ "Small Business Insurance")

## What to Confirm in Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance Quotes

- Ask Pie which of its unnamed carrier partners would underwrite your specific policy. [8](https://www.pieinsurance.com/errors-and-omissions-insurance "Errors and Omissions Insurance")
- Ask Heffernan which claim types and exclusions apply to the policy it places, since its page names neither. [4](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/small-business/ "Small Business Insurance")
- Ask Pie whether the coverage extends to regulatory or licensing-board proceedings, given its stated criminal-prosecution exclusion. [8](https://www.pieinsurance.com/errors-and-omissions-insurance "Errors and Omissions Insurance")
- Ask both firms for the policy limit and retention, since neither publishes figures. [8](https://www.pieinsurance.com/errors-and-omissions-insurance "Errors and Omissions Insurance") [4](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/small-business/ "Small Business Insurance")

## Offering Details

| Criteria | Heffernan Professional Errors and Omissions Brokerage | Pie Errors and Omissions Insurance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Role in This Line | Heffernan lists errors and omissions among the coverages its small-business division places for clients, shopping the line with insurers rather than underwriting it. [4](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/small-business/ "Small Business Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Small Business Insurance page as read on 2026-09-23; no dedicated professional-E&O product page was found..) | Pie says it helps small businesses get the best errors and omissions coverage 'from our insurance carrier partners,' identifying itself as an intermediary rather than the underwriter for this line. [8](https://www.pieinsurance.com/errors-and-omissions-insurance "Errors and Omissions Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Errors and Omissions product page as read on 2026-09-23..) |
| Issuing Insurer | Not described in the reviewed sources. | The reviewed page refers only to 'our insurance carrier partners' and does not name a specific insurer for Pie's errors and omissions product. [8](https://www.pieinsurance.com/errors-and-omissions-insurance "Errors and Omissions Insurance") (Evidence: Not publicly disclosed; scope: Errors and Omissions product page as read on 2026-09-23..) |
| Who It’s For | Heffernan's small-business division says it serves sole proprietors through fast-growing companies across industries including construction, food, health care, hospitality, nonprofits, real estate, technology, transportation, and vintners and growers, and will custom-design a package for industries not listed. [4](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/small-business/ "Small Business Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Small Business Insurance page as read on 2026-09-23; not exclusively E&O-specific, but describes the buyer base for the page listing this coverage..) | Pie names architects, contractors, attorneys, engineers, consultants, marketers, counselors, and real estate agents as professionals who often carry E&O insurance, and notes some states or clients require proof of coverage. [8](https://www.pieinsurance.com/errors-and-omissions-insurance "Errors and Omissions Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Errors and Omissions product page as read on 2026-09-23; not an exhaustive eligibility list..) |
| Coverage Features | Heffernan describes errors and omissions coverage as protecting against claims for problems with a company's product or service that result in a financial loss to a client. [4](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/small-business/ "Small Business Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Small Business Insurance page as read on 2026-09-23; the page does not list specific exclusions, claims-made versus occurrence form, or endorsements..) | Pie describes errors and omissions insurance, also called professional liability insurance, as covering legal fees, costs, and damages for claims that a business's advice or services caused harm, including claims of inaccurate advice, misrepresentation, negligence, or violation of good faith, but says it does not protect against criminal prosecution. [8](https://www.pieinsurance.com/errors-and-omissions-insurance "Errors and Omissions Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Errors and Omissions product page as read on 2026-09-23; the issued policy controls actual insuring agreements and exclusions..) |
| Limits and Retentions | The reviewed page does not publish limits, retentions, or premium ranges for errors and omissions coverage. [4](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/small-business/ "Small Business Insurance") (Evidence: Not publicly disclosed; scope: Small Business Insurance page as read on 2026-09-23..) | The reviewed page does not publish limits, deductibles, or premium ranges for errors and omissions coverage. [8](https://www.pieinsurance.com/errors-and-omissions-insurance "Errors and Omissions Insurance") (Evidence: Not publicly disclosed; scope: Errors and Omissions product page as read on 2026-09-23..) |
| How to Apply | Heffernan directs small-business buyers to contact the firm's small-business division to request a quote and says it will research and build a custom package for industries not already listed. [4](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/small-business/ "Small Business Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Small Business Insurance page as read on 2026-09-23..) | Pie directs errors and omissions buyers to contact the company to start a quote through its website. [8](https://www.pieinsurance.com/errors-and-omissions-insurance "Errors and Omissions Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Errors and Omissions product page as read on 2026-09-23..) |

## Full Comparison

- [Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs Pie Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/heffernan-vs-pie-insurance): all coverage lines, business roles, service and claims.
- [What Is Professional Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance?](https://spot.insure/coverage/professional-errors-omissions): Professional E&O insurance addresses claims that a mistake in your advice or services caused a client financial loss.
- [Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs Pie Insurance Business Owner’s Policy](https://spot.insure/compare/heffernan-vs-pie-insurance/business-owners-policy)
- [Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs Pie Insurance Cyber Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/heffernan-vs-pie-insurance/cyber)
- [Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs Pie Insurance General Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/heffernan-vs-pie-insurance/general-liability)
- [Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs Pie Insurance Workers’ Compensation Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/heffernan-vs-pie-insurance/workers-compensation)
- [Alliance Risk vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-heffernan/professional-errors-omissions)
- [Alliance Risk vs Pie Insurance Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-pie-insurance/professional-errors-omissions)
- [At-Bay vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/at-bay-vs-heffernan/professional-errors-omissions)
- [At-Bay vs Pie Insurance Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/at-bay-vs-pie-insurance/professional-errors-omissions)
- [Beazley vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/beazley-vs-heffernan/professional-errors-omissions)
- [Beazley vs Pie Insurance Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/beazley-vs-pie-insurance/professional-errors-omissions)

## Sources

### Heffernan Insurance Brokers

1. [Our Story](https://www.heffins.com/about-us/our-story/). Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Headquartered in Walnut Creek; nationwide presence; founded 1988; employee owned; niche practices including technology. Accessed 2026-09-16.
2. [Technology Company Insurance](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/technology/). Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Pre-IPO and venture-funded heading; mid to late stage specialization; global expansion copy; self-insurance strategies; Key Markets list; Why Heffernan broker history; Joseph Talmadge practice leader; FAQ. Accessed 2026-09-16.
3. [Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/). Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Forward-Thinking Business Insurance: basic coverages (general liability, commercial property and auto, workers’ compensation); corporate and executive protection (EPL, D&O, fiduciary responsibility, cyber, kidnap and ransom); alternative risk capabilities; claims, loss control and risk-management services; industry practice links including Technology and Claims Advocacy. Accessed 2026-09-16.
4. [Small Business Insurance](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/small-business/). Heffernan Insurance Brokers; The types of coverage we can provide include... Errors and omissions protects against claims for problems with your product or service that result in a financial loss; industries served list; Specialty Programs; contact for custom-designed packages. Accessed 2026-09-23.

### Pie Insurance

5. [Legal](https://www.pieinsurance.com/legal). Pie Insurance; State Licenses; footer disclosure naming producer and workers’ compensation versus third-party underwriting roles. Accessed 2026-09-15.
6. [Workers’ Comp Insurance For Small Businesses](https://www.pieinsurance.com/workers-comp). Pie Insurance; Get a workers’ compensation quote online; insurance made for your small business; quote inputs; coverage description; quote-time and savings qualifications; AM Best link. Accessed 2026-09-16.
7. [Online Account Tutorial](https://www.pieinsurance.com/resource-center/online-account-tutorial). Pie Insurance; Payment-method updates; instant and custom certificates; policy information; document access; agent-handled custom certificate qualification. Accessed 2026-09-15.
8. [Errors and Omissions Insurance](https://www.pieinsurance.com/errors-and-omissions-insurance). Pie Insurance; Errors and Omissions Insurance hero: also known as professional liability insurance...; professions that often carry E&O; What's typically covered by errors and omissions insurance? Inaccurate advice, Misrepresentation, Negligence, Violation of good faith; Make sure you're covered: Start now. Accessed 2026-09-23.

### Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance Guide

9. [FAQ: Professional liability insurance](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/commercial/pl-faq.html). Texas Department of Insurance; What’s professional liability coverage?; What types of damages…; What’s general liability insurance?; Do I need professional liability… if I have general liability…?; Is professional liability insurance required?; Can a client require…?; What’s the difference between occurrence policies and claims-made policies. Accessed 2026-09-16.
10. [Professional liability insurance](https://www.iii.org/article/professional-liability-insurance). Insurance Information Institute; Opening paragraphs (professional services/advice and E&O name); Claims not covered by general liability; What types of businesses need professional liability insurance?; What’s covered… and what’s not (claims-made versus occurrence, defense and judgments, non-financial/intentional limits, BOP/in-home exclusion). Accessed 2026-09-16.
11. [Get business insurance](https://www.sba.gov/counseling/launch-your-business/#business-insurance). U.S. Small Business Administration; Six common types of business insurance table. Accessed 2026-09-16.
12. [Professional Liability – US Direct Errors and Omissions Insurance](https://www.hiscox.com/documents/pl-sample-policy-wording.pdf). Hiscox Inc. specimen; About this Policy / Coverage for Claims Made Against You; I.A Insuring Agreement; I.B Defense; I.C Settlement; II.A Notice of Claims; II.C Optional Extended Reporting Period; III.A, III.K, III.M, III.R, III.S Exclusions; IV.A–B Limits and Deductible; VI.O Professional Services; VI.U Wrongful Act. 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.

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