Hiscox vs 
The Hartford: How Do They Compare for Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance?
The Hartford publishes average minimum monthly premiums, such as $62 for standalone miscellaneous professional liability. Hiscox lets eligible small businesses quote and buy online instead, in 49 states and Washington, D.C.
The Hartford publishes average minimum premiums for five named professional-liability products and a 30-to-60-day extended reporting period, while Hiscox's reviewed pages publish neither figure. 5,3,1
What Are the Key Differences Between Hiscox and The Hartford Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance?
What Each Publishes About Price
The Hartford publishes average minimum monthly premiums by product: Misc. Professional Liability Standalone at $62, Architects and Engineers Professional Liability at $239, Healthcare Professionals Professional Liability at $38, and Errors & Omissions Insurance for Technology Companies at $146, among others:
The Hartford publishes average minimum monthly premiums by product: Misc. Professional Liability Standalone $62, Misc. Professional Liability Endorsement $41, Architects and Engineers Professional Liability $239, Healthcare Professionals Professional Liability $38, and Errors & Omissions Insurance for Technology Companies $146. The page does not publish standard coverage limits or retentions; cost and limits are set at quote. 5Company-reported. Company-reported pricing as of 2026-09-23 (page last updated by The Hartford May 4, 2026); premiums are not coverage limits.
Hiscox's reviewed pages do not publish comparable premium figures for its professional liability product; pricing is shown only on a quote. 1
When comparing Hiscox and The Hartford, use published pricing as a budget screen; the actual quote still decides the cost comparison.
How the Extended Reporting Period Is Described
The Hartford says many of its professional liability policies are claims-made with a retroactive date and an extended reporting period, typically 30 to 60 days and extendable to a year or more for an added cost, though some products are written on an occurrence basis. 5 Hiscox confirms its policy is claims-made but its reviewed pages do not state an extended-reporting-period length or an occurrence alternative. 2
Which Businesses Each Names
The Hartford targets businesses that sign contracts requiring coverage or regularly give professional advice, naming accountants, consultants, interior designers, advertising agencies, graphic designers, technology professionals and healthcare professionals. 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 The Hartford Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance Quotes?
- Ask The Hartford which of its five named product configurations applies to your business, since pricing differs sharply by product. 5
- Confirm whether Hiscox sells this product directly in your state, since it excludes Alaska. 1
- Ask The Hartford about the cost of extending your reporting period beyond the standard 30 to 60 days. 5
- Ask Hiscox for the policy limit and retention, since its reviewed pages don't publish either. 2
Hiscox vs The Hartford Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance Compared
Hiscox vs The Hartford: Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance: documented features by provider
| Criteria | Hiscox Professional Liability Insurance | The Hartford Professional Liability Insurance (Errors & Omissions) |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | The Hartford targets professional liability at businesses that sign contracts requiring coverage, offer professional services directly to customers, or regularly give advice to clients, and lists industries it covers: accountants, consultants, interior designers, advertising agencies, graphic designers, technology professionals and healthcare professionals. 5Company-reported. Professional liability product page as read 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. | The Hartford says the policy can cover claims of negligence, misrepresentation, inaccurate advice, personal injury (libel/slander) and copyright infringement, plus defense costs. Many of its professional liability policies are written on a claims-made basis with a retroactive date and an extended reporting period (typically 30-60 days, extendable to a year or more for an added cost), though some are written on an occurrence basis. 5Company-reported. Professional liability product page as read 2026-09-23. General coverage and policy-form description; the issued policy controls. |
| 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. | The Hartford's professional liability insurance, also called errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, protects businesses when they make mistakes in the professional services provided to clients, including claims that turn out to be baseless. 5Company-reported. Professional liability product page as read 2026-09-23. |
