---
title: "Hiscox vs The Hartford: Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance"
description: "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."
canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/hiscox-vs-the-hartford/professional-errors-omissions"
page-type: "line-comparison"
updated-at: "2026-09-25"
comparison-pair: "hiscox-vs-the-hartford"
provider-a: "hiscox"
provider-b: "the-hartford"
coverage-line: "professional-errors-omissions"
---

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## Agent Guide

**What this page is:** Focused comparison of Hiscox and The Hartford for Professional Liability (E&O) 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 Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance questions about Hiscox 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:**
- Hiscox vs The Hartford for Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance: how do they differ?
- Which is better for Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance, Hiscox or The Hartford?
- What does Hiscox or The Hartford publish about Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance (limits, eligibility, claims, add-ons)?

**Key facts:**
- Line: Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance. Providers: Hiscox 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:**
- [Hiscox vs The Hartford](https://spot.insure/compare/hiscox-vs-the-hartford) — all coverage lines for this pair
- [Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance guide](https://spot.insure/coverage/professional-errors-omissions) — how this coverage works
- [Hiscox profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/hiscox) — provider profile
- [The Hartford profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/the-hartford) — provider profile

# 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 premiums for five named E&O products and a specific extended-reporting window; Hiscox publishes neither.

## Hiscox vs The Hartford Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance Summary

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](https://www.thehartford.com/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance Coverage") [3](https://www.hiscox.com/about-hiscox-insurance "About Hiscox US Insurance") [1](https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance for Small Businesses")

## 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. [5](https://www.thehartford.com/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance Coverage") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: 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](https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance for Small Businesses")

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](https://www.thehartford.com/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance Coverage") Hiscox confirms its policy is claims-made but its reviewed pages do not state an extended-reporting-period length or an occurrence alternative. [2](https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/pl-faq "What is Professional Liability Insurance?")

### 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](https://www.thehartford.com/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance Coverage") Hiscox instead targets small businesses buying online broadly, licensed for sale in 49 states and Washington, D.C., excluding Alaska. [1](https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance for Small Businesses")

## 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](https://www.thehartford.com/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance Coverage")
- Confirm whether Hiscox sells this product directly in your state, since it excludes Alaska. [1](https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance for Small Businesses")
- Ask The Hartford about the cost of extending your reporting period beyond the standard 30 to 60 days. [5](https://www.thehartford.com/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance Coverage")
- Ask Hiscox for the policy limit and retention, since its reviewed pages don't publish either. [2](https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/pl-faq "What is Professional Liability Insurance?")

## Hiscox vs The Hartford Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance Compared

| 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](https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance for Small Businesses") [4](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..) | 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. [5](https://www.thehartford.com/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance Coverage") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: 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. [2](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..) | 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. [5](https://www.thehartford.com/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance Coverage") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: 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](https://www.hiscox.com/about-hiscox-insurance "About Hiscox US Insurance") [1](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..) | 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. [5](https://www.thehartford.com/professional-liability-insurance "Professional Liability Insurance Coverage") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Professional liability product page as read 2026-09-23..) |

## About Hiscox and The Hartford and Professional Liability (E&O)

- [Hiscox company profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/hiscox) · [Hiscox customer reviews](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/hiscox/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 Professional Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance?](https://spot.insure/coverage/professional-errors-omissions)

## Related Pages for Hiscox vs The Hartford Professional Liability (E&O)

- [Hiscox vs The Hartford](https://spot.insure/compare/hiscox-vs-the-hartford): 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 liability can help pay covered defense costs and losses when a client says your advice or service caused financial harm; check services and reporting terms.
- [Hiscox Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/hiscox/professional-errors-omissions)
- [The Hartford Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/the-hartford/professional-errors-omissions)

## Sources for Hiscox vs The Hartford

### Sources About Hiscox

1. [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.
2. [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.
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. Accessed 2026-09-16.
4. [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.

### Sources About The Hartford

5. [Professional Liability Insurance Coverage](https://www.thehartford.com/professional-liability-insurance). The Hartford; What Is Professional Liability Insurance Coverage?; What Does Professional Liability Insurance Cover?; Who Needs Professional Liability Insurance Coverage?; How Much Does Professional Liability Insurance Cost?; How Does Professional Liability Insurance Work? (claims-made vs. occurrence). 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). To suggest a correction, [contact Spot](https://spot.insure/contact) with the page URL and supporting source.

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