Lockton vs The Hartford: How Do They Compare for Employment Practices Liability Insurance?

Lockton is a broker that designs EPL programs for any organization with employees; The Hartford builds EPLI into its Business Owner's Policy for most classes, but not in California, Minnesota, North Dakota or New York.

The Hartford adds EPLI with wage-and-hour defense costs to most of its business owner's policies, but not in California, Minnesota, North Dakota or New York; Lockton is a broker that builds EPL programs and places a standalone wage-and-hour policy that pays more than defense. ^1,²

What Are the Key Differences Between Lockton and The Hartford Employment Practices Liability Insurance?

EPLI in Your BOP vs a Broker-Built Program

The Hartford underwrites EPLI and builds it into its business owner's policy (BOP) for most classes, includes it in Private Choice Premier, and sells it standalone as Employers Premier Choice. On Spectrum business the built-in limit is $25,000, and there is no built-in EPL in California, Minnesota, North Dakota or New York. Lockton is a broker that designs EPL programs with insurers it does not name, and publishes no limits. Choose The Hartford if you want simple EPLI inside your BOP outside those states; choose Lockton if you want a program designed around your workforce, standalone wage-and-hour cover, or operate in one of those states. ¹ ²

Wage-and-Hour: Defense Costs vs a Standalone Policy

Lockton says EPL typically excludes wage-and-hour claims such as misclassification and unpaid overtime, so it places a standalone wage-and-hour policy. The Hartford's BOP includes Wage and Hour Defense Cost coverage, which pays your lawyers but not a settlement. If you have many hourly or contract workers, that difference decides who pays the settlement. Both include third-party discrimination or harassment claims as a typical feature. ¹ ²

Claims Counsel vs HR Training

Lockton's Professional & Executive Risk Claims counsel works with the broking team from the start. The Hartford offers hartfordhelp.com training and model handbooks, but only when you buy increased EPL limits. ² ¹

What Should You Confirm in Lockton and The Hartford Employment Practices Liability Insurance Quotes?

Decide whether wage-and-hour defense costs are enough or you need Lockton's standalone wage-and-hour policy. ² ¹
If you operate in California, Minnesota, North Dakota or New York, ask Lockton which insurer it would use. ² ¹
Compare The Hartford's $25,000 Spectrum limit with the limit on Lockton's placement. ² ¹
Ask whether hartfordhelp.com or Lockton's pre-claim counsel is included. ² ¹

Lockton vs The Hartford Employment Practices Liability Compared

Lockton vs The Hartford: Employment Practices Liability Insurance: documented features by provider

Criteria	Lockton Employment Practices Liability (EPL) Insurance Brokerage	The Hartford Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)
Who It’s For	Lockton says any organization that engages people for hire, regardless of size, industry, location, union participation or use of independent contractors, faces employment-related risk and should consider EPL insurance. ¹Company-reported. EPL product page as read 2026-09-23.	The Hartford's footnotes say there is no built-in EPL coverage in California, Minnesota, North Dakota or New York, and that the EPL program described on the page does not apply to EPL coverage written in California. Coverage and limits also vary by state and business class. ²Company-reported. EPLI product page footnotes as read 2026-09-23 (page last updated by The Hartford November 26, 2025).
Coverage Features	Lockton says a typical EPL policy it places covers legal defense costs for employee claims and official employment investigations, third-party discrimination or harassment claims from non-employees, punitive damages where insurable, and immigration-related employment claims. It separately offers standalone wage-and-hour coverage for claims like misclassification and unpaid overtime, since wage-and-hour claims are typically excluded from EPL policies. ¹Company-reported. EPL product page as read 2026-09-23. Describes typical policy features Lockton places, not a specimen form for any one client.	The Hartford says its EPLI covers claims of discrimination (including age), retaliation, FMLA violations, wrongful discipline or termination, failure to promote, and harassment, and that third-party EPLI (claims from customers, vendors or business invitees, not just employees) is included for most businesses. Its BOP also automatically includes Wage and Hour Defense Cost coverage as part of the built-in EPLI. ²Company-reported. EPLI product page as read 2026-09-23. General coverage description; the issued policy controls.
Role in This Line	Lockton designs EPL insurance programs for clients as their risk advisor and broker; it does not underwrite the coverage it places. ¹Company-reported. EPL product page as read 2026-09-23.	The Hartford's EPLI is built into its Business Owner's Policy for most classes, is included in its Private Choice Premier package policy, and is also sold stand-alone as Employers Premier Choice. ²Company-reported. EPLI product page as read 2026-09-23.