Lockton vs
Markel Insurance
Lockton describes business risk, employee benefits and retirement brokerage, including technology companies. Markel’s U.S. small-business description names child care and enrichment, commercial and residential services, sports and fitness, and manufacturing. Both catalogues list Cyber liability, Workers’ compensation, General liability; compare the actual product, issuer and service route for your business before treating those labels as equivalent. 1,2,3,30,23,38
Introduction
Technology, hardware, software, internet, medical-device, semiconductor and telecom organizations can ask Lockton about brokerage; public pages give no company-size, funding or revenue minimum. For a business considering cyber liability, the practical difference is the entry point: Lockton describes broker-arranged options for the requested product, while Markel distributes through wholesale and retail channels. Compare what fits your buying team and operations, then verify the actual product and terms. 1 23 3 2 38 7
Coverage Comparison
| Coverage | Lockton | Markel Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Builders risk | Not listed | Listed 43Markel builders risk |
| Cargo and transit | Listed 5Lockton arranges cargo insurance. | Listed 42Markel cargo and transit coverage |
| Commercial auto | Listed 5Lockton arranges commercial auto insurance. | Not listed |
| Commercial property | Listed 6Lockton arranges commercial property insurance. | Listed 41Markel commercial property |
| Crime | Listed 10Lockton arranges commercial crime insurance. | Listed 38Markel Cyber 360 eCrime component (standalone product not established) |
| Cyber liability | Listed 3,2Lockton arranges cyber insurance. | Listed 38Markel Cyber 360 |
| Directors and officers | Listed 4,2Lockton arranges directors and officers liability insurance. | Listed 40Markel private and nonprofit D&O |
| Employee health and benefits | Listed 8Lockton arranges employee health and benefits programs. | Not listed |
| Employment practices liability | Listed 10Lockton arranges employment practices liability insurance. | Listed 40Markel employment practices liability |
| Equipment breakdown | Not listed | Listed 36Equipment-breakdown option within property coverage; standalone product not established |
| Fiduciary liability | Listed 9Lockton arranges fiduciary liability insurance. | Listed 40Markel fiduciary liability |
| General liability | Listed 5Lockton arranges general liability insurance. | Listed 36Markel small-business casualty and property |
| Hired and non-owned auto | Not listed | Listed 36Hired/non-owned auto option in small-business casualty; not commercial auto |
| Key person | Listed 10Lockton arranges key person insurance. | Not listed |
| Liquor liability | Not listed | Listed 36Markel liquor liability |
| Management liability | Not listed | Listed 40Markel management liability |
| Media liability | Not listed | Listed 38Markel Cyber 360 media liability component (standalone product not established) |
| Product liability | Listed 5Lockton arranges product liability insurance. | Listed 36Markel products liability |
| Professional errors and omissions (E&O) | Listed 10Lockton arranges professional errors and omissions insurance. | Listed 39Markel ProBiz miscellaneous E&O |
| Representations and warranties | Listed 10Lockton arranges representations and warranties insurance. | Not listed |
| Surety bonds | Listed 10Lockton arranges surety bonds. | Listed 45Markel Surety bonds |
| Technology errors and omissions (E&O) | Not listed | Listed 38Markel Cyber 360 technology professional liability component (standalone product not established) |
| Tools, equipment and inland marine | Not listed | Listed 42Markel commercial inland marine |
| Umbrella and excess liability | Listed 5Lockton arranges umbrella and excess liability insurance. | Listed 44Markel excess casualty and umbrella |
| Workers’ compensation | Listed 7,5Lockton arranges workers’ compensation insurance. | Listed 37Markel Workers Compensation |
A listing may be arranged through an insurer or partner. “Not listed” means this catalogue has no separate offering recorded; ask the provider whether it can quote the coverage and request the policy terms.
Current Spot Scores
Each score uses the rubric for that provider’s documented role. Providers with more than one role may have a score for each.
Lockton
BrokerBroker
5.6/ 10Assessed provider: Lockton. Scope: Lockton's U.S. brokerage presentation, including Lockton Companies, LLC d/b/a Lockton Insurance Brokers, LLC and Lockton, Inc. as named in reviewed U.S. materials; scope is commercial placement and claims advocacy and does not identify a quote-specific risk-bearing insurer.
Markel Insurance
CarrierCarrier & MGA
7.1/ 10Assessed entity: Markel Insurance Company. Scope: Markel Insurance Company (NAIC 38970, Illinois-domiciled) as an admitted U.S. commercial insurer, including its workers' compensation and liability lines. Other Markel insurers, Markel Group and the Lloyd's syndicates are context only, and it does not say which insurer will issue a given quote.
Review Scores
These averages can combine ratings for different products, locations, and customer groups, including approximate BBB grade conversions. Read each review for the sources, scope, and calculation.
Lockton
Review Score
3 rated sources
Lockton’s reviews vary by office and entity. Local Google-derived ratings provide some service feedback, but no reliable firmwide verdict.[2][6][7][8]
Read Lockton reviewsMarkel Insurance
Review Score
2 rated sources
There is little public customer feedback on Markel. Trustpilot shows 2.5 out of 5 from just 5 reviews, and BBB lists 12 complaints closed in the last three years.[4][3]
Read Markel Insurance reviewsKey Differences Between Lockton and Markel Insurance
Know Which Party Arranges the Policy
You work with Lockton as a broker for risk, benefits and retirement programs; it arranges and services policies but is not the risk-bearing insurer. You can start with a Lockton team inquiry or email its cyber and technology group. Markel describes Markel Insurance as the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc., a Virginia holding company. Markel’s U.S. Wholesale and Specialty division distributes through wholesale and retail channels, with limited small-account binding authority; some direct marketing applies to certain admitted products and programs. 1 12 23
That difference matters if you want to work through an existing adviser, compare several insurers, or start from a self-service application. Ask whether your chosen producer can access the Lockton product and the relevant Markel division for your state, and who is responsible for presenting the final terms. A brand name or online intake does not identify the insurer that will issue the policy. 12 23
Use Shared Lines to Frame the Quote
Both companies list Cyber liability, Workers’ compensation, General liability. The cyber liability description for Lockton says “Lockton arranges cyber insurance”; Markel’s listing describes “Markel Cyber 360.” The difference can matter: one description may place a line inside a broader product or limit it to a component, while the other describes a separate offer. Confirm the exact policy structure and wording on each quote. 3 2 38 7 5 37 36
Ask each respondent to name the exact product and form for cyber liability, then show how the proposal treats your revenue, services, locations, contracts and any physical operations. If the proposal places other lines separately, request a schedule that makes the separate policies and any intended coordination visible. Product names and catalogue entries alone cannot establish matched limits, exclusions or conditions.
Compare the Work After the Quote
The service arrangements also differ after submission:
Lockton describes dedicated account teams, risk control and renewal service, including a round-the-clock technology service model; confirm actual service commitments and portal features because public pages provide no standard service agreement. Markel describes commercial-agent portals for authorized users, including functions for listed lines; its U.S. account page separately lists documents, proof of insurance and payments for covered business products. 5 32 33
Confirm who handles certificates, midterm changes, billing, renewal information and claim notification for the policy you are considering. If Lockton’s service is tied to an adviser or portal, ask whether your account and the proposed line qualify for it; do the same for the Markel product. Neither a group-wide service description nor a portal feature establishes a turnaround time or claim outcome. 5 32
What to Confirm in Quotes
- Which exact product and policy form is proposed for cyber liability, and what limits, retentions, exclusions and endorsements apply to our operations?
- Who is the licensed producer and which legal insurer would issue each policy in our state? Is the placement admitted or surplus lines?
- What information and documents should we prepare, who will submit them, and what still needs underwriting approval before binding?
- Who will service the policy after binding, and what account, renewal, certificate and claim-notification functions are available for this product?
Start with Lockton if its stated customer focus or buying route matches how your team wants to arrange this line. Ask Markel for a proposal when one of its listed small-business or specialty classes fits the exposure. Compare the named insurer, policy structure, state route and account-service responsibilities before choosing between them. 1 30
Compare Services
What each provider documents about the services you may need
| Criteria | Lockton | Markel Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Business role | You work with Lockton as a broker for risk, benefits and retirement programs; it arranges and services policies but is not the risk-bearing insurer. 1,13,20Company-reported. Company-reported US brand and Terms of Business. The contracting Lockton company can differ by client. Private-ownership and independence claims are marketing statements, not a regulatory finding. Confirm the legal producer on your California broker agreement: Lockton’s terms name Lockton Companies, LLC and affiliates, its site operator is Lockton, Inc., and certificates use Lockton Insurance Brokers, LLC as a California DBA. 13,14,21Company-reported. Company legal disclosures and company-issued certificates. Missouri charter number 00498854 appears in website terms as a company statement. Current secretary-of-state and producer-license status were not independently verified. Verify Lockton’s current California producer authority before appointing it: certificates list license 0F15767 for Lockton Companies, LLC dba Lockton Insurance Brokers, LLC, but status, classes and expiration were not independently checked. 21,22Not found in reviewed sources. Company-issued certificate header versus CDI lookup homepage only. Not a finding that the license is inactive or that California product placement is unavailable. | Markel describes Markel Insurance as the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc., a Virginia holding company. Markel Group's FY2025 filing identifies multiple underwriting subsidiaries. The insurer for a specific policy depends on the product, state and current quote or policy disclosures; Markel Insurance is not one standalone legal insurer. 23,24Company-reported. U.S. commercial-insurance identity and parent/business relationship; not a product-specific issuer assignment. |
| Customer focus | Technology, hardware, software, internet, medical-device, semiconductor and telecom organizations can ask Lockton about brokerage; public pages give no company-size, funding or revenue minimum. 1,2,10Company-reported. US technology, homepage and private-equity service pages. Presence of a technology practice is not an eligibility guarantee for a bootstrapped or early-stage startup. | Markel's U.S. small-business page lists child care and enrichment, commercial and residential services, sports and fitness, and manufacturing among the segments it describes. Separately, its FY2025 filing describes Markel Insurance's global specialty business as underwriting hard-to-place risks; that wording is not specific to U.S. Wholesale and Specialty. 30,23Company-reported. Company-stated U.S. small-business examples and separate global business characterization; neither establishes eligibility. |
| Coverage lines | Technology and private-equity buyers can ask about cyber, D&O, contract review and international programs; Lockton also lists casualty, property, fiduciary, benefits, E&O, crime, EPL, surety, key-person and transaction products. Actual forms, limits and eligibility require a quote. 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10Company-reported. Direct US product and industry pages accessed 16 September 2026. Technology errors and omissions is discussed in educational Lockton articles but was not added from those articles alone. Catalogue entries from the private-equity page are marketed in that industry context. | |
| Application process | You can start with a Lockton team inquiry or email its cyber and technology group; reviewed pages do not offer a self-service bind flow or guaranteed quote turnaround. 12,1,15,3,14Company-reported. US contact, privacy, technology and cyber-technology pages. Form submission was not completed. Website terms state site content is general information, not broking advice. | Markel's FY2025 filing says U.S. Wholesale and Specialty distributes through wholesale and retail channels on admitted and excess-and-surplus bases, including limited small-account binding authority. In 2025, 71% of this division's gross written premium was placed through wholesale brokers, 26% through retail agents and brokers, and the remainder through alternative channels. Certain admitted products and programs are marketed directly to consumers, but that does not establish online purchase or binding for every product. 23Company-reported. FY2025 Markel Insurance U.S. Wholesale and Specialty distribution; not the whole Markel Insurance business. For workers' compensation, Markel directs applicants to submit an online application or contact an appointed agent to request a quote; the reviewed page does not establish that purchase and binding are completed online. 31Company-reported. Markel U.S. workers' compensation page only; route to request a quote. Agencies can request a Markel appointment; Markel says appointments are made by affiliated insurer and product, and producers must hold the required state license. This is a producer onboarding route, not an insured's application path. 34Company-reported. Commercial agency appointment information; not retail purchase process. |
| Servicing and renewals | Lockton describes dedicated account teams, risk control and renewal service, including a round-the-clock technology service model; confirm actual service commitments and portal features because public pages provide no standard service agreement. 5,2,13,6,1Company-reported. Company service descriptions and default Terms of Business; a signed services agreement can differ. Portal capabilities remain undocumented in this review. | Markel describes agent portals for authorized commercial users to quote and bind listed lines and access account history, billing, claims details and policy documents. The page does not establish that every product supports every function. 32Company-reported. Commercial-agent portals; available functions vary by portal and product. Markel's U.S. account page lists policy documents, proof-of-insurance downloads, payments and automatic payments for covered business products and directs customers with unlisted products to the agent on the policy. Renewal handling and renewal terms were not established in this review. 33Company-reported. Public portal description; not all products necessarily use the portal. |
Sources
Lockton Official Website
- Lockton United States. Lockton; Opening description of independent insurance brokerage for risk, benefits and retirement; Ask an Expert link to contact-us. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Technology. Lockton; Industry introduction; cyber liability heading; dedicated technology team; listed services including claims advocacy, contract review, directors and officers liability, and international program design; 24/7 service model. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Cyber & Technology. Lockton; A complete solution to inform, improve, and insure cyber and privacy risk; insurer partnerships; Insure step including claim life cycle; contact cyber@lockton.com. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- D&O Insurance. Lockton; Program description; Side A/B/C overview; who can be covered; Claims management and Professional & Executive Risk Claims team. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Casualty Insurance. Lockton; Introduction on designing and placing liability, auto and workers’ compensation programs; Casualty Insurance Solutions: Auto, Cargo, General & Product Liability, Umbrella & Excess Liability, Workers’ Compensation; dedicated service team. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Property Insurance. Lockton; Matching property risks to the global marketplace; manuscript property policy; assistance with complex claim recovery. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Workers' Compensation. Lockton; Program design with claims experts; access to more than 100 regional, global and program markets; claims service advocates. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Lockton People Solutions. Lockton; Introducing Lockton People Solutions; integrated health and risk programs; FAQ on products (employee experiences, total rewards and benefits, management and measurement) and private ownership. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Fiduciary Liability Insurance. Lockton; What is fiduciary liability insurance; typical coverage list; claims management; distinction from ERISA bonds. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Risk & People Solutions for Private Equity Firms. Lockton; Lockton capabilities across the investment life cycle: D&O/GPL, transaction insurance (reps, tax, litigation), E&O, crime and FI bonds, cyber, EPL, surety, portfolio company programs, key person insurance and benefits design. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Loss Prevention and Claims. Lockton; Claims consulting description: investigations, policy mapping, discussions with insurer lawyers and loss adjusters; documenting and presenting claims. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Contact Us. Lockton; Inquiry form requiring Terms of Use and Privacy Notice acknowledgment; general enquiries mailbox disclaimer. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- US Terms of Business. Lockton; Opening entity definition; Surplus Lines; Use of a Particular Insurer; Compensation Disclosure; servicing, claims handling and renewal language in Confidentiality section; Intermediaries. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Lockton US Terms of Use. Lockton; Who we are: Lockton, Inc., Missouri corporation, charter number 00498854; Kansas City principal office; last updated October 15, 2021; Site content is general information, not broking or insurance advice. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Lockton Companies Website Privacy Notice. Lockton; Last updated January 2025; collection when visitors solicit an insurance policy quote; disclosure to insurance companies and intermediaries for quotes. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Offices - Lockton US. Lockton; Global headquarters Kansas City, 444 W 47th St. Suite 900; US inquiry email KC-Inquiries@lockton.com. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Lockton Insurance Brokers - San Francisco. Lockton; Office heading Lockton Insurance Brokers - San Francisco; Suite 600, Three Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA 94111. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Lockton Insurance Brokers - Los Angeles. Lockton; Office heading and 777 S. Figueroa St. Suite 5200, Los Angeles, CA 90017. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Lockton Insurance Brokers - Irvine. Lockton; Office heading and 19800 MacArthur Blvd., Irvine, CA 92612. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Our Story. Lockton; Independence changes everything; family organization and private ownership statements; insurance, employee benefits consulting and retirement services. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Lockton-produced certificate of insurance producer header. Lockton; Producer block: Lockton Companies, LLC DBA Lockton Insurance Brokers, LLC in CA; CA license #0F15767. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- California Department of Insurance — Check a License. California Department of Insurance; Public license-status inquiry page. Accessed 2026-09-16.
Markel Insurance Official Website
- Markel Group Inc. 2025 Form 10-K. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; filed by Markel Group Inc.; Cover page; Part I, Item 1 Business—Markel Insurance, U.S. Wholesale and Specialty, Programs and Solutions; Part II, Item 7/8 for group and segment risks. Accessed 2026-09-28.
- About us. Markel; Markel at a glance; description of Markel Insurance within Markel Group Inc. Accessed 2026-09-28.
- US Product Disclaimer. Markel; U.S. underwriting/entity and state-availability disclaimer; identifies Markel West Insurance Services, California license #2E11302, for certain non-admitted coverage. It does not state Markel Service national producer license #27585 or California DBA license #0645481. Accessed 2026-09-29.
- Insurance Programs. Markel; FAQ and legal disclaimer at page end; coverage by Markel insurers, Markel Service, Incorporated national producer license #27585 and California DBA license #0645481, and Markel West Insurance Services California license #2E11302 for certain non-admitted products. Accessed 2026-09-29.
- AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Markel Group Inc. and Its Subsidiaries. AM Best; Press release dated November 21, 2025; paragraphs naming ratings, rating rationale, and Markel North America Insurance Group members. Accessed 2026-09-28.
- North America Producer Compensation Disclosure. Markel; Base commissions, contingent compensation, business production/additional incentives, and Markel Specialty/Markel Service/insurer role statement. Accessed 2026-09-28.
- U.S. and Bermuda Claims Contacts. Markel; April 2026 claims-contact PDF footer: Markel West, Inc. d/b/a Markel West Insurance Services, California license #0D95581; coverage by one or more Markel insurers and non-admitted routes. Accessed 2026-09-29.
- Small Business Insurance. Markel; Small business products; Types of companies—Child care and enrichment, Commercial and residential services, Sports and fitness, Manufacturing. Accessed 2026-09-28.
- Workers Compensation Insurance. Markel; Introductory quote/application route; claims question and report-a-claim contact. Accessed 2026-09-28.
- Commercial Lines Agents & Broker Support. Markel; mPortal and Markel Online access; resources; digital distribution. Accessed 2026-09-28.
- My Account. Markel US; Online account portal capabilities; Business insurance; unlisted-product direction. Accessed 2026-09-28.
- Request appointment with Markel. Markel; Commercial and personal lines agency partner criteria; product-specific affiliate appointments; producer-license requirement. Accessed 2026-09-28.
- Markel Insurance Companies. Markel; Notice to California and Massachusetts Applicants and Insureds; U.S.-domiciled property and casualty insurer subsidiaries and affiliates; table of company names and market status (page states current as of 2024-04-01). Accessed 2026-09-28.
- Small Business Casualty and Property Insurance. Markel; What we offer; product/liability, property, general casualty, inland marine, excess umbrella, liquor liability, hired/non-owned auto, employee benefits liability, E&O and equipment breakdown references. Accessed 2026-09-29.
- Workers Compensation Insurance. Markel; Product overview and quote route; workers compensation/employers liability, eligible industries, claim and loss-control descriptions. Accessed 2026-09-29.
- Cyber Insurance Coverage. Markel; Markel Cyber 360; coverages available, cyber incident response, business interruption, privacy/security liability, media liability and technology professional liability. Accessed 2026-09-29.
- ProBiz | Professional Liability Coverage. Markel; What is Markel ProBiz; separate management liability and miscellaneous E&O; listed limits and qualifying business size. Accessed 2026-09-29.
- Private and Nonprofit Management Liability Insurance. Markel; What we offer; private/nonprofit segment; D&O, EPL, fiduciary and optional coverage sections. Accessed 2026-09-29.
- Commercial Property Insurance. Markel; Commercial property product summary and eligible risks. Accessed 2026-09-29.
- Commercial Inland Marine Insurance. Markel; What we offer; inland marine classes, cargo, contractors equipment, transportation and coverage structure. Accessed 2026-09-29.
- Builders Risk Insurance. Markel; Coverage features; construction projects and builders-risk scope. Accessed 2026-09-29.
- Excess Casualty Insurance. Markel; Excess and umbrella liability and admitted/non-admitted capabilities. Accessed 2026-09-29.
- Markel Surety. Markel; Products; contract bonds, commercial bonds, court and probate bonds. Accessed 2026-09-29.
- Markel Insurance Company Complaints. Better Business Bureau; Company complaints summary: 12 in last three years, 3 closed in last 12 months; complaint-category counts and displayed case examples; headquarters and corporate-owned locations. Accessed 2026-09-29.




