Hiscox vs Pie Insurance: How Do They Compare for Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance?

Hiscox sells professional liability directly online, while Pie Insurance presents itself as an intermediary using carrier partners and starts a quote on its website, naming architects, contractors and consultants among professionals who often carry E&O.

Pie names specific covered claim types and a criminal-prosecution exclusion for its E&O policy, while Hiscox's page describes the claims-made structure of a policy it underwrites and sells directly. ^5,²

What Are the Key Differences Between Hiscox and Pie Insurance 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. ⁴ Pie says it helps small businesses get E&O coverage from unnamed insurance carrier partners rather than underwriting the policy itself. ⁵

When comparing Hiscox and Pie Insurance, decide whether you want direct access to an insurer or a broker who can help structure and shop the placement.

What the Policy Names as Covered

Pie's page describes the specific claim types its coverage responds to and one thing it explicitly does not cover:

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. ⁵Company-reported. Errors and Omissions product page as read on 2026-09-23; the issued policy controls actual insuring agreements and exclusions.

Hiscox's coverage description centers on the claims-made structure of the policy, meaning a claim is covered only if it's made while the policy is active, without naming specific claim types or exclusions. ²

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. ⁵ Hiscox instead targets small businesses buying online broadly, licensed for sale in 49 states and Washington, D.C., excluding Alaska. ¹

What Should You Confirm in Hiscox and Pie Insurance Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance Quotes?

Ask Pie which of its unnamed carrier partners would underwrite your specific policy. ⁵
Confirm whether Hiscox sells this product directly in your state, since it excludes Alaska. ¹
Ask Pie whether the coverage extends to regulatory or licensing-board proceedings, given its stated criminal-prosecution exclusion. ⁵
Ask both firms for the policy limit and retention, since neither publishes figures. ⁵ ²

Hiscox vs Pie Insurance Professional Liability (E&O) Compared

Hiscox vs Pie Insurance: Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance: documented features by provider

Criteria	Hiscox Professional Liability Insurance	Pie Errors and Omissions Insurance
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. ^1,⁴Company-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.	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. ⁵Company-reported. Errors and Omissions product page as read on 2026-09-23; not an exhaustive eligibility list.
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. ¹Company-reported. Company-described online application; eligibility and binding conditions require confirmation on the actual application.	Pie directs errors and omissions buyers to contact the company to start a quote through its website. ⁵Company-reported. Errors and Omissions product page as read on 2026-09-23.
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. ²Company-reported. Product FAQ description; exact triggers, retroactive dates, exclusions and wording are set by the issued policy.	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. ⁵Company-reported. Errors and Omissions product page as read on 2026-09-23; the issued policy controls actual insuring agreements and exclusions.
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. ^3,¹Company-reported. Company-stated online small-business channel.	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. ⁵Company-reported. Errors and Omissions product page as read on 2026-09-23.