---
title: "Hiscox vs Pie Insurance Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance"
description: "Pie names four covered claim types and a criminal-prosecution exclusion; Hiscox's page centers on its claims-made structure instead."
canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/hiscox-vs-pie-insurance/professional-errors-omissions"
page-type: "line-comparison"
updated-at: "2026-09-23"
---

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

Pie names four covered claim types and a criminal-prosecution exclusion; Hiscox's page centers on its claims-made structure instead.

## Research Scope and Use

Use this comparison to evaluate Hiscox 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 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. [10](https://www.pieinsurance.com/errors-and-omissions-insurance "Errors and Omissions Insurance") [5](https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/pl-faq "What is Professional Liability Insurance?")

## 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 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. [7](https://www.pieinsurance.com/legal "Legal") [8](https://www.pieinsurance.com/workers-comp "Workers’ Comp Insurance For Small Businesses") [9](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. [11](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/commercial/pl-faq.html "FAQ: Professional liability insurance") [12](https://www.iii.org/article/professional-liability-insurance "Professional liability insurance") [13](https://www.sba.gov/counseling/launch-your-business/#business-insurance "Get business insurance") [14](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") Pie says it helps small businesses get E&O coverage from unnamed insurance carrier partners rather than underwriting the policy itself. [10](https://www.pieinsurance.com/errors-and-omissions-insurance "Errors and Omissions Insurance")

### 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. [10](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..)

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. [5](https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/pl-faq "What is Professional Liability 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. [10](https://www.pieinsurance.com/errors-and-omissions-insurance "Errors and Omissions Insurance") Hiscox instead targets small businesses buying online broadly, 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 to Confirm in Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance Quotes

- Ask Pie which of its unnamed carrier partners would underwrite your specific policy. [10](https://www.pieinsurance.com/errors-and-omissions-insurance "Errors and Omissions Insurance")
- 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")
- Ask Pie whether the coverage extends to regulatory or licensing-board proceedings, given its stated criminal-prosecution exclusion. [10](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. [10](https://www.pieinsurance.com/errors-and-omissions-insurance "Errors and Omissions 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 | Pie Errors and Omissions Insurance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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..) | 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. [10](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 | 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 page refers only to 'our insurance carrier partners' and does not name a specific insurer for Pie's errors and omissions product. [10](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 | 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..) | 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. [10](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 | 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..) | 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. [10](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 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..) | The reviewed page does not publish limits, deductibles, or premium ranges for errors and omissions coverage. [10](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 | 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..) | Pie directs errors and omissions buyers to contact the company to start a quote through its website. [10](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..) |
| 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 Pie Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/hiscox-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.
- [Hiscox vs Pie Insurance Business Owner’s Policy](https://spot.insure/compare/hiscox-vs-pie-insurance/business-owners-policy)
- [Hiscox vs Pie Insurance Cyber Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/hiscox-vs-pie-insurance/cyber)
- [Hiscox vs Pie Insurance General Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/hiscox-vs-pie-insurance/general-liability)
- [Hiscox vs Pie Insurance Workers’ Compensation Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/hiscox-vs-pie-insurance/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 Pie Insurance Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-pie-insurance/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 Pie Insurance Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/at-bay-vs-pie-insurance/professional-errors-omissions)
- [Beazley vs Hiscox Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/beazley-vs-hiscox/professional-errors-omissions)
- [Beazley vs Pie Insurance Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/beazley-vs-pie-insurance/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.

### Pie Insurance

7. [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.
8. [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.
9. [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.
10. [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

11. [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.
12. [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.
13. [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.
14. [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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