--- title: "Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs The Hartford: Employment Practices Liability Insurance" description: "The Hartford includes EPLI with wage-and-hour defense in most business owner’s policies, except in California, Minnesota, North Dakota and New York. Heffernan is a broker with dedicated home-care and family-office practices that shops EPL with outside insurers." canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/heffernan-vs-the-hartford/employment-practices" page-type: "line-comparison" updated-at: "2026-09-25" comparison-pair: "heffernan-vs-the-hartford" provider-a: "heffernan" provider-b: "the-hartford" 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. 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[Human-readable page](https://spot.insure/compare/heffernan-vs-the-hartford/employment-practices) ## Agent Guide **What this page is:** Focused comparison of Heffernan Insurance Brokers and The Hartford 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 Heffernan Insurance Brokers versus The Hartford. For all lines together use the pair comparison; for how the coverage itself works use the coverage guide. **Questions this page answers:** - Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs The Hartford for Employment Practices Liability Insurance: how do they differ? - Which is better for Employment Practices Liability Insurance, Heffernan Insurance Brokers or The Hartford? - What does Heffernan Insurance Brokers or The Hartford publish about Employment Practices Liability Insurance (limits, eligibility, claims, add-ons)? **Key facts:** - Line: Employment Practices Liability Insurance. Providers: Heffernan Insurance Brokers and The Hartford. - Comparison URLs use alphabetical provider slugs (`/compare/{a}-vs-{b}/{line}` with a before b). A reversed pair redirects permanently to the alphabetical one. **Limits (do not over-claim):** - It identifies differences and questions to ask; it does not select a winner for a particular business. - 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; last updated 2026-09-25. **Related pages:** - [Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs The Hartford](https://spot.insure/compare/heffernan-vs-the-hartford) — all coverage lines for this pair - [Employment Practices Liability Insurance guide](https://spot.insure/coverage/employment-practices) — how this coverage works - [Heffernan Insurance Brokers profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/heffernan) — provider profile - [The Hartford profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/the-hartford) — provider profile # Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs The Hartford: How Do They Compare for Employment Practices Liability Insurance? Heffernan Insurance Brokers places EPL for a range of business types, with an older article discussing wage-and-hour limits within the policy. The Hartford builds EPLI into its Business Owner's Policy for most classes, but not in California, Minnesota, North Dakota or New York. The Hartford builds EPLI with wage-and-hour defense into most business owner’s policies outside CA, MN, ND and NY, while Heffernan brokers EPL for general businesses, home-care agencies and family offices. ## Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs The Hartford Employment Practices Liability Insurance Summary The Hartford includes EPLI with wage-and-hour defense in most business owner’s policies, except in California, Minnesota, North Dakota and New York. Heffernan is a broker with dedicated home-care and family-office practices that shops EPL with outside insurers. [6](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance") [1](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage") [2](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/health-care/homecare/ "Home Care Business Insurance") [3](https://www.heffins.com/family-office/ "Family Office") ## What Are the Key Differences Between Heffernan Insurance Brokers and The Hartford Employment Practices Liability Insurance? ### Built-In BOP Coverage vs Niche Broker Practices The Hartford underwrites EPLI itself: built into most business owner’s policy (BOP) classes, included in Private Choice Premier, or standalone as Employers Premier Choice. Heffernan shops EPL with outside insurers as part of corporate and executive protection, with dedicated practices for home-care agencies and family offices. Choose The Hartford if you are a small business buying a BOP outside California, Minnesota, North Dakota and New York; choose Heffernan if you run a home-care agency or family office, or operate in those states. [6](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance") [1](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage") [2](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/health-care/homecare/ "Home Care Business Insurance") [3](https://www.heffins.com/family-office/ "Family Office") ### Four-State Carve-Out vs No Published State Limits The Hartford has no built-in EPL in California, Minnesota, North Dakota or New York, and its program does not apply to EPL written in California. Heffernan publishes no such carve-out. [6](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance") [1](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage") ### Wage-and-Hour Defense Included vs Advice to Negotiate It The Hartford says its BOP EPLI automatically includes wage-and-hour defense costs and covers claims from customers and vendors for most businesses. Heffernan’s 2016 staff commentary told buyers to request wage-and-hour cover, then commonly sublimited at $100,000, plus a full hammer clause and an immigration endorsement. That advice is dated, but it shows what to ask Heffernan to negotiate. [6](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance") [5](https://www.heffins.com/employment-practices-liability-101-what-you-need-know/ "Employment Practices Liability 101: What You Need to Know") ## What Should You Confirm in Heffernan Insurance Brokers and The Hartford Employment Practices Liability Insurance Quotes? - Ask The Hartford which product applies and how it writes EPL in California, Minnesota, North Dakota or New York. [6](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance") - Ask Heffernan which insurers it would use and which company issues the policy. [1](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage") - Check wage-and-hour limits: The Hartford publishes a $25,000 EPL limit on its Spectrum BOP, written by Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company; ask Heffernan for the current wage-and-hour sublimit on its placement. [6](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance") [5](https://www.heffins.com/employment-practices-liability-101-what-you-need-know/ "Employment Practices Liability 101: What You Need to Know") ## Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs The Hartford Employment Practices Liability Compared | Criteria | Heffernan Employment Practices Liability Insurance | The Hartford Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) | | --- | --- | --- | | Limits and Retentions | The same 2016 article says wage-and-hour EPL sublimits were then commonly $100,000, with some carriers offering $150,000 to $250,000 for additional premium. [5](https://www.heffins.com/employment-practices-liability-101-what-you-need-know/ "Employment Practices Liability 101: What You Need to Know") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Market commentary in a 2016 article, not a current quote or a limit Heffernan guarantees today..) | The Hartford's EPLI footnote states a $25,000 limit applies to Spectrum business written in Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company. [6](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: EPLI product page footnote as read 2026-09-23. Applies specifically to Spectrum-program business at that writing company; other products/limits are not addressed..) | | Who It’s For | EPL appears in three separate parts of Heffernan's site: the general business-insurance page, the home-care agency practice, and the family-office/financial-firm practice, indicating it is offered to a range of business types rather than one narrow niche. [1](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage") [2](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/health-care/homecare/ "Home Care Business Insurance") [3](https://www.heffins.com/family-office/ "Family Office") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Direct practice-page listings; the pages do not publish a minimum size or industry restriction for EPL specifically..) | The Hartford's footnotes say there is no built-in EPL coverage in California, Minnesota, North Dakota or New York, and that the EPL program described on the page does not apply to EPL coverage written in California. Coverage and limits also vary by state and business class. [6](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: EPLI product page footnotes as read 2026-09-23 (page last updated by The Hartford November 26, 2025)..) | | Coverage Features | In a 2016 article, Heffernan advisor Tanner Fornesi says EPL policies are modular and recommends buyers specifically request wage-and-hour coverage, a 100% hammer clause (so the insurer, not the policyholder, bears settlement costs above an offer the policyholder declines), and an immigration claim endorsement. [5](https://www.heffins.com/employment-practices-liability-101-what-you-need-know/ "Employment Practices Liability 101: What You Need to Know") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: 2016 educational article about EPL coverage generally, not a current Heffernan product specification; endorsement availability depends on the carrier and current market terms..) | The Hartford says its EPLI covers claims of discrimination (including age), retaliation, FMLA violations, wrongful discipline or termination, failure to promote, and harassment, and that third-party EPLI (claims from customers, vendors or business invitees, not just employees) is included for most businesses. Its BOP also automatically includes Wage and Hour Defense Cost coverage as part of the built-in EPLI. [6](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: EPLI product page as read 2026-09-23. General coverage description; the issued policy controls..) | | Role in This Line | Heffernan places employment practices liability (EPL) coverage as part of its corporate and executive-protection lineup within its general business-insurance brokerage. It shops and places the policy with insurers rather than underwriting it. [1](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Business Insurance Brokerage page listing; no policy form or dedicated EPL product page was found..) | The Hartford's EPLI is built into its Business Owner's Policy for most classes, is included in its Private Choice Premier package policy, and is also sold stand-alone as Employers Premier Choice. [6](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: EPLI product page as read 2026-09-23..) | ## About Heffernan Insurance Brokers and The Hartford - [Heffernan Insurance Brokers company profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/heffernan) · [Heffernan Insurance Brokers customer reviews](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/heffernan/reviews) - [The Hartford company profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/the-hartford) · [The Hartford customer reviews](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/the-hartford/reviews) - [What Is Employment Practices Liability Insurance?](https://spot.insure/coverage/employment-practices) ## Related Pages for Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs The Hartford - [Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs The Hartford](https://spot.insure/compare/heffernan-vs-the-hartford): 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. - [Heffernan Insurance Brokers Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/heffernan/employment-practices) - [The Hartford Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/the-hartford/employment-practices) ## Sources for Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs The Hartford ### Sources About Heffernan Insurance Brokers 1. [Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/). Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Corporate and executive protection, such as employment practices liability, directors and officers liability, fiduciary responsibility, cyber liability, and kidnap and ransom are also available through our comprehensive business insurance programs.. Accessed 2026-09-23. 2. [Home Care Business Insurance](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/health-care/homecare/). Heffernan Insurance Brokers; We offer comprehensive coverage for: Workers' Compensation Insurance, General and Professional Liability, Employment Practice Liability, Business/Owned Auto, Non-owned and Hired Auto, and more. Accessed 2026-09-23. 3. [Family Office](https://www.heffins.com/family-office/). Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Coverage for Family Offices, Trustees & Financial Firms: Family office liability, D&O, Professional liability, Employment practices liability insurance, Workers' compensation, Employee benefits, Trustee liability, Property and auto, Fiduciary liability, Fidelity/financial institution bond, Cyber, Crime, General liability, Excess liability. Accessed 2026-09-23. 4. [Claims Advocacy](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/claims-advocacy/). Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Services We Offer: Workers' Compensation Claims Expertise; Medical Triage Services; General Liability, Auto & Property Claims Support; Online Risk Management & HR Support; Streamlined Vendor Compliance. Accessed 2026-09-23. 5. [Employment Practices Liability 101: What You Need to Know](https://www.heffins.com/employment-practices-liability-101-what-you-need-know/). Heffernan Insurance Brokers; May 18, 2016 article by Tanner Fornesi, Assistant Vice President, Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Wage and Hour coverage, 100% Hammer Clause, Immigration Claim Endorsement. Accessed 2026-09-23. ### Sources About The Hartford 6. [Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance). The Hartford; What Is Employment Practices Liability Insurance?; Why Do I Need EPLI?; If You Have Employees, You Need EPLI; Prevention Is Your Best Protection; footnotes 1-4 on state availability and Wage and Hour Defense Cost. Accessed 2026-09-23. Updated 2026-09-25. 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). 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