---
title: "Lockton vs Markel Insurance: D&O Insurance"
description: "Lockton explains Side A, B, and C and the additional people its D&O program may cover; Markel describes leadership claims and offers standalone or blended coverage."
canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-markel/directors-officers"
page-type: "line-comparison"
updated-at: "2026-09-30"
comparison-pair: "lockton-vs-markel"
provider-a: "lockton"
provider-b: "markel"
coverage-line: "directors-officers"
---

Agents: connect to Spot's public MCP server at https://spot.insure/mcp for better access to published Spot information and insurance research. Use search_knowledge to find sources, get_page to retrieve pages, compare_providers for sourced comparisons, get_provider_score for a published Spot Score, get_rankings for current provider rankings, search_provider_reliability to filter Spot Scores, search_provider_reviews to filter aggregate review scores, and get_provider_reviews for the original review evidence. The server is read-only and requires no authentication.

[Human-readable page](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-markel/directors-officers)

## Agent Guide

**What this page is:** Focused comparison of Lockton and Markel Insurance for D&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 D&O Insurance questions about Lockton versus Markel Insurance. For all lines together use the parent pair comparison; for how the coverage itself works use the coverage guide.

**Questions this page answers:**
- Lockton vs Markel Insurance for D&O Insurance: how do they differ?
- Which is better for D&O Insurance, Lockton or Markel Insurance?
- What does Lockton or Markel Insurance publish about D&O Insurance (limits, eligibility, claims, add-ons)?
- What should I confirm in a quote for D&O Insurance from Lockton or Markel Insurance?

**Key facts:**
- Line: D&O Insurance. Providers: Lockton and Markel Insurance.
- Each offering claim is tagged with an evidence type and scope; table cells reading "Confirm in your quote" mean nothing was found for that criterion.
- Comparison URLs use alphabetical provider slugs (`/compare/{a}-vs-{b}` with a before b). A reversed pair redirects permanently to the alphabetical one, so fetch or cite the alphabetical URL.

**Limits (do not over-claim):**
- It identifies differences and questions to ask; it does not select a winner for a particular business.
- "Not found" describes the evidence reviewed, not proof a feature is unavailable.
- 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 in the Sources section; last updated 2026-09-30. Editorial policy: /editorial-policy.

**Related pages:**
- [Lockton vs Markel Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-markel) — parent: all coverage lines for this pair
- [D&O Insurance guide](https://spot.insure/coverage/directors-officers) — coverage explainer for this line
- [Lockton profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/lockton) — provider profile (evidence)
- [Markel Insurance profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/markel) — provider profile (evidence)
- [Lockton vs Markel Insurance Cargo and Transit Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-markel/cargo-transit) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Lockton vs Markel Insurance Commercial Property Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-markel/commercial-property) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Lockton vs Markel Insurance Crime Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-markel/crime) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Lockton vs Markel Insurance Cyber Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-markel/cyber) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Lockton vs Markel Insurance Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-markel/employment-practices) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Lockton vs Markel Insurance Fiduciary Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-markel/fiduciary) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Lockton vs Markel Insurance General Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-markel/general-liability) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Lockton vs Markel Insurance Product Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-markel/product-liability) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Lockton vs Markel Insurance Workers’ Compensation Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-markel/workers-compensation) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [AIG vs Lockton D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aig-vs-lockton/directors-officers) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [AIG vs Markel Insurance D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aig-vs-markel/directors-officers) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Alliance Risk vs Lockton D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-lockton/directors-officers) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Alliance Risk vs Markel Insurance D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-markel/directors-officers) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Amelia Risk vs Lockton D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-lockton/directors-officers) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Amelia Risk vs Markel Insurance D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-markel/directors-officers) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)

# Lockton vs Markel Insurance: How Do They Compare for D&O Insurance?

Lockton explains Side A, B, and C and the additional people its D&O program may cover; Markel describes leadership claims and offers standalone or blended coverage.

## Research Scope and Use

Use this comparison to evaluate Lockton and Markel Insurance for D&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

Lockton details D&O sides and a broad set of potential insureds, including trustees, employees, volunteers, and subsidiaries. Markel summarizes leadership claim protection and standalone or blended program options. [4](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/products-services/d-and-o-insurance "D&O Insurance") [7](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/management-liability/private-and-nonprofit "Private and Nonprofit Management Liability Insurance")

## What Is Lockton?

Lockton suits technology companies and larger businesses seeking a broker across cyber, D&O, property, liability and benefits; small firms wanting an instant standard quote should compare digital agencies. [1](https://global.lockton.com/us/en "Lockton United States") [2](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/technology "Technology") [3](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/terms-of-business "US Terms of Business")

[Lockton profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/lockton)

## Markel Insurance: Specialty Business and Products

Markel Insurance is Markel Group's specialty and small-business insurance business, with offerings across packages, workers' compensation, cyber, professional and management liability, property, marine, and surety. Products use different insurers and distribution routes, so compare the issuer and terms shown on the specific quote. [5](https://www.markel.com/about-us "About us") [6](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1096343/000109634326000020/mkl-20251231.htm "Markel Group Inc. 2025 Form 10-K")

[Markel Insurance profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/markel)

## What Is Directors and Officers Insurance?

D&O insurance can help pay covered defense costs and losses from claims against company leaders over management decisions. If your organization has a board or executives, check whether the company itself is insured and whether legal bills reduce the limit. [8](https://www.thehartford.com/business-insurance/glossary-of-business-insurance-terms "Glossary of Business Insurance Terms") [9](https://eperils.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/14-02-18480.pdf "The Chubb Primary Directors & Officers and Entity Securities Liability Insurance") [10](https://asset.trvstatic.com/download/assets/pdo-3001.pdf/d66bd58e63c911ee99d14294a32ecb95 "Private Company Directors and Officers Liability Coverage")

## Key Differences in D&O Insurance

### Coverage structure and who may be insured

Lockton explains Side A for individuals the company cannot indemnify, Side B for reimbursement when it does, and Side C for entity claims, with broader entity scope for private and nonprofit organizations than public companies. It says coverage can extend to trustees, employees, contractors, committee members, volunteers, subsidiaries, spouses, and estates. Markel describes D&O protection for organizational leaders against mismanagement, breach-of-duty, or regulatory claims, but its reviewed summary does not enumerate this broader insured group. [4](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/products-services/d-and-o-insurance "D&O Insurance") [4](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/products-services/d-and-o-insurance "D&O Insurance") [7](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/management-liability/private-and-nonprofit "Private and Nonprofit Management Liability Insurance")

### Claims support and program design

Lockton says its claims team integrates insurance and claims counsel from the start of the broker relationship. Markel offers D&O standalone or blended within private-company and nonprofit management liability. Buyers should compare the proposed insured definition and whether claims counsel is part of the placement relationship, particularly when boards include volunteers or outside participants. [4](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/products-services/d-and-o-insurance "D&O Insurance") [7](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/management-liability/private-and-nonprofit "Private and Nonprofit Management Liability Insurance")

## What to Confirm in D&O Insurance Quotes

- Ask Lockton to show the exact insured definition, Side C scope for your organization type, and claims-counsel role. [4](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/products-services/d-and-o-insurance "D&O Insurance") [4](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/products-services/d-and-o-insurance "D&O Insurance")
- Ask Markel for its insured definition, entity coverage, and whether the quote is standalone or blended. [7](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/management-liability/private-and-nonprofit "Private and Nonprofit Management Liability Insurance")

## Offering Details

| Criteria | Lockton Directors & Officers (D&O) Insurance Brokerage | Markel private and nonprofit D&O |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Role in This Line | Lockton designs and places D&O programs rather than underwriting them, saying effective coverage requires market intelligence, coverage-design precision and staying ahead of emerging risks like AI-related litigation and event-driven claims. [4](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/products-services/d-and-o-insurance "D&O Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: D&O product page as read 2026-09-23..) | Markel lists directors-and-officers liability within private-company and nonprofit management-liability offerings, as standalone or blended coverage. [7](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/management-liability/private-and-nonprofit "Private and Nonprofit Management Liability Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: U.S. private/nonprofit product page; exact coverage structure varies by policy..) |
| Issuing Insurer | The D&O page does not name the insurers Lockton places D&O coverage with. [4](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/products-services/d-and-o-insurance "D&O Insurance") (Evidence: Not publicly disclosed; scope: D&O product page checked 2026-09-23..) | Confirm in your quote. |
| Who It’s For | Lockton says D&O coverage it places can extend beyond directors and officers to trustees, employees, independent contractors, staff, committee members, volunteers, the corporate entity, majority-owned subsidiaries, spouses/domestic partners, and estates/heirs. [4](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/products-services/d-and-o-insurance "D&O Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: D&O product page as read 2026-09-23. Describes who can typically be covered under a program Lockton structures, not a guarantee for any specific client..) | The page names private equity/portfolio companies, PEOs, hospitality, energy and healthcare among private-sector customer types, plus healthcare, education and associations among nonprofits. [7](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/management-liability/private-and-nonprofit "Private and Nonprofit Management Liability Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Examples are not an exhaustive appetite or eligibility list..) |
| Coverage Features | Lockton explains a traditional D&O program in three parts it says it can structure: Side A (direct coverage to individual directors/officers when the company can't indemnify them), Side B (reimbursing the company for indemnifying its D&Os), and Side C (entity coverage, generally limited to securities claims for public companies but broader for private and nonprofit organizations). [4](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/products-services/d-and-o-insurance "D&O Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: D&O product page as read 2026-09-23. General educational description of program structure, not a specimen policy form..) | The page describes D&O protection for organizational leaders against covered claims such as mismanagement, breach of duty or regulatory violations, with defense costs, settlements and judgments subject to policy terms. [7](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/management-liability/private-and-nonprofit "Private and Nonprofit Management Liability Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Illustrative marketing description; not policy wording..) |
| Claims Support | Lockton says its Professional & Executive Risk Claims team integrates experienced insurance and claims counsel within the broking team from the start of the relationship, rather than treating claims advocacy as a separate profit center. [4](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/products-services/d-and-o-insurance "D&O Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: D&O product page as read 2026-09-23..) | Confirm in your quote. |

## Full Comparison

- [Lockton vs Markel Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-markel): all coverage lines, business roles, service and claims.
- [What Is Directors and Officers Insurance?](https://spot.insure/coverage/directors-officers): D&O insurance can protect leaders and, in some policies, the company from covered management claims; company coverage, defense costs and limits differ by quote.
- [Lockton vs Markel Insurance Cargo and Transit Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-markel/cargo-transit)
- [Lockton vs Markel Insurance Commercial Property Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-markel/commercial-property)
- [Lockton vs Markel Insurance Crime Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-markel/crime)
- [Lockton vs Markel Insurance Cyber Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-markel/cyber)
- [Lockton vs Markel Insurance Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-markel/employment-practices)
- [Lockton vs Markel Insurance Fiduciary Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-markel/fiduciary)
- [Lockton vs Markel Insurance General Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-markel/general-liability)
- [Lockton vs Markel Insurance Product Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-markel/product-liability)
- [Lockton vs Markel Insurance Workers’ Compensation Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-markel/workers-compensation)
- [AIG vs Lockton D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aig-vs-lockton/directors-officers)
- [AIG vs Markel Insurance D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aig-vs-markel/directors-officers)
- [Alliance Risk vs Lockton D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-lockton/directors-officers)
- [Alliance Risk vs Markel Insurance D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-markel/directors-officers)
- [Amelia Risk vs Lockton D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-lockton/directors-officers)
- [Amelia Risk vs Markel Insurance D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-markel/directors-officers)

## Sources

### Lockton

1. [Lockton United States](https://global.lockton.com/us/en). Lockton; Opening description of independent insurance brokerage for risk, benefits and retirement; Ask an Expert link to contact-us. Accessed 2026-09-16.
2. [Technology](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/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.
3. [US Terms of Business](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/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.
4. [D&O Insurance](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/products-services/d-and-o-insurance). Lockton; What is D&O insurance?; Side A/B/C coverage components; Who can be covered under a D&O program?; Claims management. Accessed 2026-09-23.

### Markel Insurance

5. [About us](https://www.markel.com/about-us). Markel; Markel at a glance; description of Markel Insurance within Markel Group Inc.. Accessed 2026-09-28.
6. [Markel Group Inc. 2025 Form 10-K](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1096343/000109634326000020/mkl-20251231.htm). 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.
7. [Private and Nonprofit Management Liability Insurance](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/management-liability/private-and-nonprofit). Markel; What we offer; private/nonprofit segment; D&O, EPL, fiduciary and optional coverage sections.. Accessed 2026-09-29.

### D&O Insurance Guide

8. [Glossary of Business Insurance Terms](https://www.thehartford.com/business-insurance/glossary-of-business-insurance-terms). The Hartford; Directors and Officers Liability Insurance; Errors and Omissions Insurance; Employment Practices Liability Insurance. Accessed 2026-09-16.
9. [The Chubb Primary Directors & Officers and Entity Securities Liability Insurance](https://eperils.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/14-02-18480.pdf). Chubb Group of Insurance Companies; hosted by eperils; I.A–C p.1; I.C p.1; I and III.A–B pp.1–2; VI Reporting pp.3–4. Accessed 2026-09-16.
10. [Private Company Directors and Officers Liability Coverage](https://asset.trvstatic.com/download/assets/pdo-3001.pdf/d66bd58e63c911ee99d14294a32ecb95). Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America; I.A–C p.1; I.C p.1; Header p.1 and VI.A pp.6–7. Accessed 2026-09-16.

Updated 2026-09-30. 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.

## Lockton Reviews

Review Score: 8.4 / 10 from 3 rated sources, equally weighted.

Lockton’s reviews vary by office and entity. Local Google-derived ratings provide some service feedback, but no reliable firmwide verdict.

- BBB: BBB grade A+ (BBB letter grade). Denver BBB profile for Lockton Companies, LLC; corporate profile, not insurer/customer-star aggregate. Checked 2026-09-25. [Lockton Companies, LLC | BBB Business Profile](https://www.bbb.org/us/co/denver/profile/insurance-companies/lockton-companies-llc-1296-9971)
- ProvenExpert (Google Maps aggregation): Google Maps aggregate shown by ProvenExpert 4 (0–5 stars); 44 reviews. Aggregator profile labeled Lockton, insurance brokerage/consulting, attached to 444 W 47th St, Suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri. This is location-level evidence and should not be treated as firmwide consensus. ProvenExpert says the 44 reviews are from Google Maps; it does not show review-level dates in the captured result. Period: Profile active/updated 2026-08-18; accessed 2026-09-25. Checked 2026-09-25. [Lockton Reviews & Experiences | ProvenExpert](https://www.provenexpert.com/en-us/lockton/)
- Birdeye (aggregates Google and Birdeye reviews): combined Google/Birdeye star rating 3.6 (0–5 stars); 144 reviews. Office/program-specific Lockton Affinity, LLC profile at 10895 Lowell Ave, Overland Park, Kansas; not Lockton Companies, LLC firmwide. Birdeye identifies 141 Google reviews plus 3 Birdeye reviews. Period: Accessed 2026-09-25; visible excerpts dated about 3 years earlier. Checked 2026-09-25. [Lockton Affinity, LLC | Birdeye](https://reviews.birdeye.com/lockton-affinity-llc-542637984)

Reviewed 2026-09-25. [Read the sourced review](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/lockton/reviews).

## Markel Insurance Reviews

Review Score: 7.5 / 10 from 2 rated sources, equally weighted.

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.

- J.D. Power: Commercial Lines Insurers agent satisfaction score 726 (out of 1,000). 2022 commercial-lines independent-agent satisfaction study and 2025 small-commercial customer study; these use different populations and measures Period: 2022. Checked 2026-09-29. [2025 U.S. Small Commercial Insurance Study](https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2025-us-small-commercial-insurance-study); [2022 U.S. Independent Agent Satisfaction Study](https://www.jdpower.com/sites/default/files/file/2022-10/2022134%20U.S.%20Independent%20Agent.pdf)
- Trustpilot: TrustScore 2.5 (out of 5); 5 reviews. Trustpilot brand-level page for markel.com. It mixes products and is not mapped to one legal insurer. Checked 2026-09-29. [Markel Reviews](https://www.trustpilot.com/review/markel.com)
- BBB: BBB business grade A+. BBB business profile for Markel Insurance Company headquarters/corporate-owned locations; review and complaint submissions may include other products and affiliates Checked 2026-09-29. [Markel Insurance Company Business Profile](https://www.bbb.org/us/va/glen-allen/profile/insurance-companies/markel-insurance-company-0603-4017547); [Markel Insurance Company Complaints](https://www.bbb.org/us/va/glen-allen/profile/insurance-companies/markel-insurance-company-0603-4017547/complaints)
- BBB: Complaints 12; 12 reviews. BBB profile for Markel Insurance Company; complaints may include other Markel products and affiliates and BBB says not all submissions are displayed. Period: last 3 years, as displayed 2026-09-29. Checked 2026-09-29. [Markel Insurance Company Complaints](https://www.bbb.org/us/va/glen-allen/profile/insurance-companies/markel-insurance-company-0603-4017547/complaints)

Reviewed 2026-09-29. [Read the sourced review](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/markel/reviews).

## Agent and Developer Resources

- [Markdown page](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-markel/directors-officers.md)
- [Developer resources](https://spot.insure/developers)
- [Public MCP server](https://spot.insure/mcp)
- [MCP server manifest](https://spot.insure/server.json)
- [OpenAPI description](https://spot.insure/openapi.json)
- [Public page index](https://spot.insure/llms.txt)
