---
title: "Lockton vs StartupInsurance.ai D&O Insurance"
description: "Lockton names a dedicated D&O claims team for brokered placements; StartupInsurance.ai instead flags a carrier-wide AI exclusion trend."
canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-startupinsurance/directors-officers"
page-type: "line-comparison"
updated-at: "2026-09-23"
---

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, and get_rankings for current provider rankings. The server is read-only and requires no authentication.

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

# Lockton vs StartupInsurance.ai D&O Insurance

Lockton names a dedicated D&O claims team for brokered placements; StartupInsurance.ai instead flags a carrier-wide AI exclusion trend.

## Research Scope and Use

Use this comparison to evaluate Lockton and StartupInsurance.ai 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 says a dedicated Professional & Executive Risk Claims team is integrated into its D&O broking, while StartupInsurance.ai's D&O listing instead centers on checking policies for a blanket AI exclusion some carriers have added to D&O forms. [4](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/products-services/d-and-o-insurance "D&O Insurance") [7](https://www.startupinsurance.ai/ "Startup Insurance | Coverage that clears the review")

## What Is Lockton?

Lockton is a privately held insurance brokerage that arranges commercial risk, employee benefits and retirement programs. US pages describe a technology practice and intermediary placement with insurers, not Lockton as the policy’s insurer. [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)

## What Is StartupInsurance.ai?

StartupInsurance.ai is a marketing brand of ContractorNerd Insurance Services, LLC, offering startup insurance placement and policy reviews. Buyers can begin with an online coverage selection or a review of existing policies and contract requirements. [5](https://www.startupinsurance.ai/company/ "Company | Startup Insurance") [6](https://quotes.startupinsurance.ai/ "Apply for Startup Insurance | StartupInsurance.ai")

[StartupInsurance.ai profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/startupinsurance)

## What Is Directors and Officers Insurance?

Directors and officers liability insurance addresses covered claims alleging wrongful acts in managing an organization. [9](https://www.thehartford.com/business-insurance/glossary-of-business-insurance-terms "Glossary of Business Insurance Terms")

## Key Differences in D&O Insurance

### Full-Service Broking Versus a Wording Check

Lockton frames its value around program design, market intelligence and integrated claims advocacy. [4](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/products-services/d-and-o-insurance "D&O Insurance") StartupInsurance.ai instead narrows to one specific service:

StartupInsurance.ai says one major carrier added a blanket AI exclusion to D&O (along with E&O and fiduciary forms), typically arriving at renewal inside an endorsement, and that it reviews policies for this exclusion as part of its free check. [7](https://www.startupinsurance.ai/ "Startup Insurance | Coverage that clears the review") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Homepage "wording that still says yes" section; names the exclusion trend industrywide but not the carrier, and does not state whether any StartupInsurance.ai-placed D&O policy carries this specific endorsement..)

### How You Start a Placement

StartupInsurance.ai puts D&O directly in its online quote flow as the first coverage box. [6](https://quotes.startupinsurance.ai/ "Apply for Startup Insurance | StartupInsurance.ai") Lockton's page doesn't describe a comparable self-serve intake; it emphasizes designing and placing programs through a broking relationship rather than a digital form. [4](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/products-services/d-and-o-insurance "D&O Insurance")

### Who Arranges the Policy

StartupInsurance.ai's placements go through a separately named licensed agency, ContractorNerd Insurance Services, acting as agent or broker of record. [8](https://www.contractornerd.com/terms-and-conditions/ "Terms and Conditions") Lockton instead describes itself designing and placing D&O programs directly, without routing through a separately branded agency in the same way. [4](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/products-services/d-and-o-insurance "D&O Insurance")

## What to Confirm in D&O Insurance Quotes

- Ask Lockton which insurers it typically places D&O with; the reviewed page doesn't name one. [4](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/products-services/d-and-o-insurance "D&O Insurance")
- Ask StartupInsurance.ai whether the carrier on your quote carries the AI exclusion it describes and whether it applies to D&O specifically. [7](https://www.startupinsurance.ai/ "Startup Insurance | Coverage that clears the review")
- Confirm how claims are handled at each firm, since Lockton names a specific integrated team that StartupInsurance.ai's pages don't mirror. [4](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/products-services/d-and-o-insurance "D&O Insurance")
- Ask which insurer would issue the policy in each case; StartupInsurance.ai's carrier panel is program-wide rather than broken out by line. [7](https://www.startupinsurance.ai/ "Startup Insurance | Coverage that clears the review")

## Offering Details

| Criteria | Lockton Directors & Officers (D&O) Insurance Brokerage | StartupInsurance.ai Directors & Officers (D&O) Insurance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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..) | StartupInsurance.ai lists directors and officers coverage among the lines its startup program places, and its homepage cites an investor's term-sheet request for D&O as a typical reason a founder comes to it. ContractorNerd Insurance Services, LLC arranges the placement as agent/broker of record rather than underwriting it. [7](https://www.startupinsurance.ai/ "Startup Insurance | Coverage that clears the review") [8](https://www.contractornerd.com/terms-and-conditions/ "Terms and Conditions") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Homepage coverage list and "the problem" narrative, plus ContractorNerd's terms and conditions on its producer role; does not describe a specific D&O policy's terms..) |
| 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..) | The homepage's carrier panel names insurers with D&O capacity, such as Chubb (shown as A++ Admitted) and Coalition (shown as A- Surplus), but does not state that either one specifically underwrites D&O placements; the issuing insurer varies by placement. [7](https://www.startupinsurance.ai/ "Startup Insurance | Coverage that clears the review") (Evidence: Not publicly disclosed; scope: Homepage carrier panel and ratings card; the panel is program-wide, not broken out by coverage line..) |
| 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..) | StartupInsurance.ai frames D&O as coverage founders typically need once an investor's term sheet requires it, positioning the line for venture-backed startups with a board rather than pre-revenue companies with no outside investors. [7](https://www.startupinsurance.ai/ "Startup Insurance | Coverage that clears the review") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Homepage narrative example; not a stated underwriting eligibility rule (e.g., minimum funding stage or headcount)..) |
| 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..) | StartupInsurance.ai says one major carrier added a blanket AI exclusion to D&O (along with E&O and fiduciary forms), typically arriving at renewal inside an endorsement, and that it reviews policies for this exclusion as part of its free check. [7](https://www.startupinsurance.ai/ "Startup Insurance | Coverage that clears the review") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Homepage "wording that still says yes" section; names the exclusion trend industrywide but not the carrier, and does not state whether any StartupInsurance.ai-placed D&O policy carries this specific endorsement..) |
| Risk Services | Not described in the reviewed sources. | StartupInsurance.ai's free policy check reviews an existing program for AI exclusions and contract gaps within 48 hours, and the homepage specifically calls out D&O as one of the forms affected by the AI-exclusion trend it checks for. [7](https://www.startupinsurance.ai/ "Startup Insurance | Coverage that clears the review") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Homepage service description; a marketing offer describing what the review covers, not a report on any specific customer's D&O policy..) |
| How to Apply | Not described in the reviewed sources. | Directors & Officers (D&O) is the first coverage box on StartupInsurance.ai's online quote-intake screen, described there as coverage that "protects your board and executives from lawsuits." [6](https://quotes.startupinsurance.ai/ "Apply for Startup Insurance | StartupInsurance.ai") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Initial coverage-selection screen of the quote application; does not show the underwriting questions that follow for this line..) |
| 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..) | Not described in the reviewed sources. |

## Full Comparison

- [Lockton vs StartupInsurance.ai](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-startupinsurance): all coverage lines, business roles, service and claims.
- [What Is Directors and Officers Insurance?](https://spot.insure/coverage/directors-officers): Directors and officers insurance can help pay for covered claims against company leaders over decisions they make in running the business.
- [Lockton vs StartupInsurance.ai Commercial Property Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-startupinsurance/commercial-property)
- [Lockton vs StartupInsurance.ai Fiduciary Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-startupinsurance/fiduciary)
- [Lockton vs StartupInsurance.ai General Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-startupinsurance/general-liability)
- [Lockton vs StartupInsurance.ai Product Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-startupinsurance/product-liability)
- [Lockton vs StartupInsurance.ai Surety Bonds](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-startupinsurance/surety-bonds)
- [Alliance Risk vs Lockton D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-lockton/directors-officers)
- [Alliance Risk vs StartupInsurance.ai D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-startupinsurance/directors-officers)
- [Amelia Risk vs Lockton D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-lockton/directors-officers)
- [Amelia Risk vs StartupInsurance.ai D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-startupinsurance/directors-officers)
- [Beazley vs Lockton D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/beazley-vs-lockton/directors-officers)
- [Beazley vs StartupInsurance.ai D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/beazley-vs-startupinsurance/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.

### StartupInsurance.ai

5. [Company | Startup Insurance](https://www.startupinsurance.ai/company/). StartupInsurance.ai; The story; founders; The free policy check; legal footer. Accessed 2026-09-16.
6. [Apply for Startup Insurance | StartupInsurance.ai](https://quotes.startupinsurance.ai/). StartupInsurance.ai; Coverage-selection screen: Directors & Officers (D&O) — “Protects your board and executives from lawsuits”. Accessed 2026-09-23.
7. [Startup Insurance | Coverage that clears the review](https://www.startupinsurance.ai/). StartupInsurance.ai; The problem (“An investor's term sheet asked for D&O”); Wording that still says yes (“One major carrier added a blanket AI exclusion to D&O, E&O and fiduciary”); Coverage: What we place; The free policy check. Accessed 2026-09-23.
8. [Terms and Conditions](https://www.contractornerd.com/terms-and-conditions/). ContractorNerd; Section 2, Insurance Services: “ContractorNerd is an insurance agency/insurance producer... not an insurance company, does not underwrite insurance”; Section 2.A, Broker/Agent of Record. Accessed 2026-09-23.

### D&O Insurance Guide

9. [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.

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.

## Agent and Developer Resources

- [Markdown page](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-startupinsurance/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)