---
title: "Hiscox vs Marsh Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance"
description: "Marsh places E&O for banking, asset managers and other specialized industries; Hiscox sells a small-business version directly online."
canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/hiscox-vs-marsh/professional-errors-omissions"
page-type: "line-comparison"
updated-at: "2026-09-23"
---

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# Hiscox vs Marsh Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance

Marsh places E&O for banking, asset managers and other specialized industries; Hiscox sells a small-business version directly online.

## Research Scope and Use

Use this comparison to evaluate Hiscox and Marsh 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

Marsh's professional liability practice serves specialized industries such as banking and asset managers, while Hiscox underwrites and sells a small-business professional liability policy directly online. [11](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/professional-liability.html "Professional liability") [3](https://www.hiscox.com/about-hiscox-insurance "About Hiscox US Insurance") [4](https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance for Small Businesses")

## What Is Hiscox?

Hiscox is a U.S. small-business insurance brand whose website is operated by Hiscox Inc., a Delaware producer that does business in California as Hiscox Insurance Agency. Eligible firms can quote general liability, professional liability, cyber and a business owner’s policy online; other advertised lines are often placed with partner insurers, so the issuing company on each quote still has to be checked. [1](https://www.hiscox.com/terms-of-use "Website Terms & Conditions of Use") [2](https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/get-a-quote-for-your-small-business "Get A Small Business Insurance Quote") [3](https://www.hiscox.com/about-hiscox-insurance "About Hiscox US Insurance")

[Hiscox profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/hiscox)

## What Is Marsh?

Marsh is a global insurance broker and risk advisor. In the United States it places coverage through core Marsh teams and through Marsh McLennan Agency for many middle-market buyers, including technology, cyber, property, casualty and benefits programs. [7](https://www.marsh.com/en/home.html "Marsh | Leader in risk, strategy, people, and investments") [8](https://www.marsh.com/content/dam/marsh/Documents/PDF/US-en/us-client-compensation-guide.pdf "Compensation guide for US clients") [9](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/marsh-mclennan-agency.html "Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA)") [10](https://www.marsh.com/en/industries/technology.html "Technology | Insurance Broking & Risk Management")

[Marsh profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/marsh)

## 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. [13](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/commercial/pl-faq.html "FAQ: Professional liability insurance") [14](https://www.iii.org/article/professional-liability-insurance "Professional liability insurance") [15](https://www.sba.gov/counseling/launch-your-business/#business-insurance "Get business insurance") [16](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

### Who Carries the Risk

Hiscox names Hiscox Insurance Company Inc. as the underwriter of its admitted professional liability policies and sells the product directly online. [6](https://www.hiscox.com/documents/partner-agent/appetite_guide/Hiscox-NOW-Appetite-Guide.pdf "Hiscox US Agent Appetite Guide") Marsh's professional liability page does not name an insurer; the practice instead places coverage with carriers that vary by client. [11](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/professional-liability.html "Professional liability") [12](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/executive-and-professional-liability.html "Expert Executive and Professional Liability Insurance")

### Which Businesses Each Targets

Marsh names specialized industries its professional liability experts serve, including banking and broker/dealers, insurance companies and asset managers, merchant banking and venture capital, accountants, attorneys, architects and engineers, media and entertainment, technology, and healthcare and biotechnology. [11](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/professional-liability.html "Professional liability") Hiscox instead targets small businesses buying online, licensed for sale in 49 states and Washington, D.C., excluding Alaska. [4](https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance for Small Businesses")

### What's Included in the Coverage Description

Marsh says many of the professional liability policies it places also cover privacy violations and computer security breaches alongside errors and omissions:

Marsh says professional liability coverage can protect a company against liability and defense costs from a claim alleging an error, omission or negligence in performing professional services, and that many policies also cover privacy violations and computer security breaches. [11](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/professional-liability.html "Professional liability") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Marsh professional liability page opening description; illustrative policy description, not a specific policy form..)

Hiscox's product description centers on the claims-made structure of its policy but does not describe privacy or computer-security coverage bundled into this line. [5](https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/pl-faq "What is Professional Liability Insurance?")

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

- Ask Marsh whether the policy it recommends includes privacy or computer-security coverage, or whether that needs a separate cyber policy. [11](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/professional-liability.html "Professional liability")
- Confirm whether Hiscox sells this product directly in your state, since it excludes Alaska. [4](https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance for Small Businesses")
- If your business doesn't fit Marsh's named specialized industries, ask whether its practice still places your coverage. [11](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/professional-liability.html "Professional liability")
- Ask both firms for the policy limit and retention, since neither publishes figures. [11](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/professional-liability.html "Professional liability") [12](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/executive-and-professional-liability.html "Expert Executive and Professional Liability Insurance") [5](https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/pl-faq "What is Professional Liability Insurance?")

## Offering Details

| Criteria | Hiscox Professional Liability Insurance | Marsh Professional Liability Insurance Brokerage |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Role in This Line | 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. [3](https://www.hiscox.com/about-hiscox-insurance "About Hiscox US Insurance") [4](https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance for Small Businesses") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Company-stated online small-business channel..) | Marsh's financial and professional liability practice places professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance; MMA also places E&O coverage within its executive and professional liability practice for middle-market clients. [11](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/professional-liability.html "Professional liability") [12](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/executive-and-professional-liability.html "Expert Executive and Professional Liability Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Marsh professional liability page and MMA executive and professional liability page..) |
| Issuing Insurer | 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. [6](https://www.hiscox.com/documents/partner-agent/appetite_guide/Hiscox-NOW-Appetite-Guide.pdf "Hiscox US Agent Appetite Guide") [3](https://www.hiscox.com/about-hiscox-insurance "About Hiscox US Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: 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..) | The reviewed pages do not name a specific professional liability insurer. [11](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/professional-liability.html "Professional liability") [12](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/executive-and-professional-liability.html "Expert Executive and Professional Liability Insurance") (Evidence: Not publicly disclosed; scope: Marsh professional liability page and MMA executive and professional liability page as read on 2026-09-23..) |
| Who It’s For | 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. [4](https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance for Small Businesses") [6](https://www.hiscox.com/documents/partner-agent/appetite_guide/Hiscox-NOW-Appetite-Guide.pdf "Hiscox US Agent Appetite Guide") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: 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..) | Marsh names specialized industries its professional liability experts serve, including banking and broker/dealers, insurance companies and asset managers, merchant banking and venture capital, accountants, attorneys, architects and engineers, media and entertainment, technology, and healthcare and biotechnology. [11](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/professional-liability.html "Professional liability") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Marsh professional liability page, What We Offer section..) |
| Coverage Features | 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. [5](https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/pl-faq "What is Professional Liability Insurance?") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Product FAQ description; exact triggers, retroactive dates, exclusions and wording are set by the issued policy..) | Marsh says professional liability coverage can protect a company against liability and defense costs from a claim alleging an error, omission or negligence in performing professional services, and that many policies also cover privacy violations and computer security breaches. [11](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/professional-liability.html "Professional liability") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Marsh professional liability page opening description; illustrative policy description, not a specific policy form..) |
| Limits and Retentions | The professional-liability pages reviewed do not publish standard limit, retention or deductible amounts; specific figures are shown only on a quote. [4](https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance for Small Businesses") [5](https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/pl-faq "What is Professional Liability Insurance?") (Evidence: Not publicly disclosed; scope: Public product and FAQ pages as previously reviewed..) | Not described in the reviewed sources. |
| Risk Services | Not described in the reviewed sources. | Marsh says it employs attorneys, economists and actuaries alongside coverage specialists to assess a client's professional liability exposure from multiple angles, given the complexity of these risks. [11](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/professional-liability.html "Professional liability") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Marsh professional liability page..) |
| How to Apply | 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. [4](https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance for Small Businesses") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Company-described online application; eligibility and binding conditions require confirmation on the actual application..) | Not described in the reviewed sources. |
| Claims Support | 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. [5](https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/pl-faq "What is Professional Liability Insurance?") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Company-described claims-reporting availability for this product's FAQ; does not establish claim outcomes or turnaround time..) | Not described in the reviewed sources. |

## Full Comparison

- [Hiscox vs Marsh](https://spot.insure/compare/hiscox-vs-marsh): 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.
- [Hiscox vs Marsh Cyber Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/hiscox-vs-marsh/cyber)
- [Hiscox vs Marsh Workers’ Compensation Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/hiscox-vs-marsh/workers-compensation)
- [Alliance Risk vs Hiscox Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-hiscox/professional-errors-omissions)
- [Alliance Risk vs Marsh Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-marsh/professional-errors-omissions)
- [At-Bay vs Hiscox Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/at-bay-vs-hiscox/professional-errors-omissions)
- [At-Bay vs Marsh Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/at-bay-vs-marsh/professional-errors-omissions)
- [Beazley vs Hiscox Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/beazley-vs-hiscox/professional-errors-omissions)
- [Beazley vs Marsh Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/beazley-vs-marsh/professional-errors-omissions)

## Sources

### Hiscox

1. [Website Terms & Conditions of Use](https://www.hiscox.com/terms-of-use). Hiscox; Last modified May 28, 2024; Hiscox Inc. as Delaware corporation headquartered in Atlanta, d/b/a Hiscox Insurance Agency in CA, licensed intermediary for admitted and surplus-lines business with Hiscox Insurance Company Inc., other domestic insurers, and Lloyd’s syndicates; small-business online path distinguished from broker-only site sections. Accessed 2026-09-16.
2. [Get A Small Business Insurance Quote](https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/get-a-quote-for-your-small-business). Hiscox; States that Hiscox offers general liability, professional liability, cyber security and business owner’s policies online; zip-code quote field; licensed-agent hours Monday–Friday 7 a.m.–10 p.m. ET and Saturday–Sunday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. ET. Accessed 2026-09-16.
3. [About Hiscox US Insurance](https://www.hiscox.com/about-hiscox-insurance). Hiscox; Hiscox Insurance Company Inc. NAIC 10200 as Chicago, IL domiciled insurer admitted or licensed in all 50 states and D.C.; Hiscox Inc. as general agent and Lloyd’s coverholder for Syndicates 33 and 3624; surplus-lines placements through licensed surplus-lines brokers; A.M. Best rating statement. Accessed 2026-09-16.
4. [Professional Liability Insurance for Small Businesses](https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance). Hiscox; Professional liability/E&O product; licensed in 49 states and Washington, D.C. (Alaska excluded); specialist-broker assistance if not licensed in a state; licensed-advisor hours. Accessed 2026-09-16.
5. [What is Professional Liability Insurance?](https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/pl-faq). Hiscox; Claims-made description; current-customer claim number described as open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Accessed 2026-09-16.
6. [Hiscox US Agent Appetite Guide](https://www.hiscox.com/documents/partner-agent/appetite_guide/Hiscox-NOW-Appetite-Guide.pdf). Hiscox; Hiscox NOW admitted GL, PL, cyber and BOP underwritten by Hiscox Insurance Company Inc.; technology classes including IT consultants and software development. Accessed 2026-09-16.

### Marsh

7. [Marsh | Leader in risk, strategy, people, and investments](https://www.marsh.com/en/home.html). Marsh; Hero and capability tiles; FAQ: What does Marsh do?; industries served; Is Marsh the same as Marsh McLennan? January 2026 brand change. Accessed 2026-09-16.
8. [Compensation guide for US clients](https://www.marsh.com/content/dam/marsh/Documents/PDF/US-en/us-client-compensation-guide.pdf). Marsh; US broking segments; broker role; retail commissions, client fees, wholesale, insurer consulting, contingent and supplemental commissions; Marsh LLC and Marsh USA LLC; page 3: broker role and Marsh & McLennan Agency segment; page 7: copyright © 2024 Marsh LLC. Accessed 2026-09-16.
9. [Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA)](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/marsh-mclennan-agency.html). Marsh; Middle-market US organizations; wholly-owned subsidiary; business insurance, employee health and benefits, retirement, private client. Accessed 2026-09-16.
10. [Technology | Insurance Broking & Risk Management](https://www.marsh.com/en/industries/technology.html). Marsh; Opening Technology Practice description; practice links including data center insurance, fintech and Stratus; Talk to us. Accessed 2026-09-16.
11. [Professional liability](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/professional-liability.html). Marsh; Opening description; What We Offer: specialized industries served (banking, insurance/asset managers, merchant banking/venture capital, accountants/attorneys/architects/engineers, media/communications/entertainment, technology, healthcare/biotechnology). Accessed 2026-09-23.
12. [Expert Executive and Professional Liability Insurance](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/executive-and-professional-liability.html). Marsh McLennan Agency; Our policies include D&O, E&O, EPL, commercial crime/fidelity, network security privacy risk/cyber, fiduciary, media liability, IP, architects and engineers, lawyers professional, and kidnap and ransom. Accessed 2026-09-23.

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

13. [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.
14. [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.
15. [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.
16. [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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