---
title: "Marsh vs Travelers D&O Insurance"
description: "Marsh places D&O and discusses ESG-related director pressure; Travelers underwrites D&O through named Casualty and Surety affiliates."
canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-travelers/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/marsh-vs-travelers/directors-officers)

# Marsh vs Travelers D&O Insurance

Marsh places D&O and discusses ESG-related director pressure; Travelers underwrites D&O through named Casualty and Surety affiliates.

## Research Scope and Use

Use this comparison to evaluate Marsh and Travelers 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

Marsh’s financial and professional liability practice places D&O for public, private and nonprofit companies and describes Side A/B/C plus ESG-related scrutiny, while Travelers underwrites D&O and names Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America and affiliates. [5](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/directors-and-officers-liability.html "Directors and Officers Liability (D&O)") [10](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/directors-officers "Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance")

## What Is Marsh?

Marsh is a global insurance broker and risk advisor. In the United States it places coverage through core Marsh teams and through Marsh McLennan Agency for many middle-market buyers, including technology, cyber, property, casualty and benefits programs. [1](https://www.marsh.com/en/home.html "Marsh | Leader in risk, strategy, people, and investments") [2](https://www.marsh.com/content/dam/marsh/Documents/PDF/US-en/us-client-compensation-guide.pdf "Compensation guide for US clients") [3](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/marsh-mclennan-agency.html "Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA)") [4](https://www.marsh.com/en/industries/technology.html "Technology | Insurance Broking & Risk Management")

[Marsh profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/marsh)

## What Is Travelers Insurance?

Travelers is a U.S. property-casualty insurance group that markets business coverage, including a technology practice, through independent agents and brokers. Buyers can investigate CyberRisk Tech, a small-business technology-services policy, and other commercial lines, then confirm the issuing company and California availability on a quote. [7](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/technology "Technology Insurance") [8](https://www.travelers.com/about-travelers/producer-compensation-disclosure "Travelers Producer Compensation Disclosure (United States)") [9](https://www.travelers.com/contact-us "Contact Us")

[Travelers profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/travelers)

## What Is Directors and Officers Insurance?

Directors and officers liability insurance addresses covered claims alleging wrongful acts in managing an organization. [11](https://www.thehartford.com/business-insurance/glossary-of-business-insurance-terms "Glossary of Business Insurance Terms")

## Key Differences in D&O Insurance

### Placement Practice Versus Named Issuer

Marsh places D&O for public, private and nonprofit companies; MMA places D&O for middle-market clients. The reviewed Marsh pages do not name a specific D&O insurer. [5](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/directors-and-officers-liability.html "Directors and Officers Liability (D&O)") [6](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/executive-and-professional-liability.html "Expert Executive and Professional Liability Insurance") Travelers underwrites the line and discloses Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America and property casualty affiliates. [10](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/directors-officers "Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance")

### ESG and Public-Company Securities Focus

Marsh says public-company directors typically face more securities-lawsuit exposure, private and nonprofit organizations more often face employment-practices claims, and ESG-related stakeholder scrutiny (carbon, labor, board diversity, executive pay) can add regulatory or litigation pressure. [5](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/directors-and-officers-liability.html "Directors and Officers Liability (D&O)") Travelers lists securities litigation, regulatory actions and breach-of-fiduciary-duty claims among wrongful-act allegations but does not discuss ESG on the reviewed D&O page. [10](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/directors-officers "Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance")

### Side Labels and Channel

Both describe personal-asset and entity protection. Marsh uses Side A, B and C language; Travelers uses defense, settlements and personal-loss language without those side labels on the reviewed page. [5](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/directors-and-officers-liability.html "Directors and Officers Liability (D&O)") [10](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/directors-officers "Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance") Travelers D&O is bought through a Travelers independent agent; Marsh’s reviewed pages describe placement through Marsh and MMA practices rather than a named captive agency network. [10](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/directors-officers "Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance") [5](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/directors-and-officers-liability.html "Directors and Officers Liability (D&O)")

## What to Confirm in D&O Insurance Quotes

- Confirm the Travelers issuing entity versus the market Marsh would use. [10](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/directors-officers "Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance") [5](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/directors-and-officers-liability.html "Directors and Officers Liability (D&O)")
- Ask Marsh whether Side C is limited to securities claims. [5](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/directors-and-officers-liability.html "Directors and Officers Liability (D&O)")
- Ask whether ESG-related investigations would be treated as D&O claims on either form. [5](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/directors-and-officers-liability.html "Directors and Officers Liability (D&O)")
- Confirm limits and retentions; neither reviewed page publishes them. [5](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/directors-and-officers-liability.html "Directors and Officers Liability (D&O)") [10](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/directors-officers "Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance")

## Offering Details

| Criteria | Marsh Directors and Officers Liability (D&O) Insurance | Travelers Directors & Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Role in This Line | Marsh's financial and professional liability practice places D&O insurance for public, private and non-profit companies; MMA also places D&O coverage within its executive and professional liability practice for middle-market clients. [5](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/directors-and-officers-liability.html "Directors and Officers Liability (D&O)") [6](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/executive-and-professional-liability.html "Expert Executive and Professional Liability Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Marsh D&O page and MMA executive and professional liability page..) | Travelers underwrites D&O liability insurance as part of its Management & Professional Liability line, sold standalone or alongside other management liability coverages. [10](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/directors-officers "Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Product page general framing; confirmed against the broader Management and Professional Liability Insurance page..) |
| Issuing Insurer | The reviewed pages do not name a specific D&O insurer. [5](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/directors-and-officers-liability.html "Directors and Officers Liability (D&O)") [6](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/executive-and-professional-liability.html "Expert Executive and Professional Liability Insurance") (Evidence: Not publicly disclosed; scope: Marsh D&O page and MMA executive and professional liability page as read on 2026-09-23..) | The product page's video disclosures name Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America and its property casualty affiliates; the specific issuing entity for a given policy can vary. [10](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/directors-officers "Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Product page video legal footer..) |
| Who It’s For | Marsh says public company directors and officers typically face more securities-lawsuit exposure from shareholders and regulators, while private and non-profit organizations more often face employment-practices claims from customers, vendors or regulators; directors and officers of all organization types can face cyber-related liability exposure. [5](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/directors-and-officers-liability.html "Directors and Officers Liability (D&O)") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Marsh D&O page, common risks FAQ..) | Travelers markets D&O coverage to private companies, public companies, financial institutions and nonprofit organizations with boards of directors, and offers a version specifically for nonprofit organizations. [10](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/directors-officers "Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Product page "Who is D&O liability insurance right for?" section and nonprofit D&O video segment..) |
| Coverage Features | Marsh says D&O insurance typically has three coverage sides: Side A protects directors' and officers' personal assets when the organization cannot or will not indemnify them; Side B reimburses the organization for indemnifying directors and officers; Side C offers balance-sheet protection when the entity itself is named, generally limited to securities claims for public companies. [5](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/directors-and-officers-liability.html "Directors and Officers Liability (D&O)") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Marsh D&O page FAQ; illustrative policy structure, not a specific policy form..)<br><br>Marsh says ESG-related stakeholder scrutiny, covering areas such as carbon emissions, renewable-energy use, labor practices, board diversity and executive compensation, can add regulatory, legislative or litigation pressure on directors and officers beyond traditional D&O exposures. [5](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/directors-and-officers-liability.html "Directors and Officers Liability (D&O)") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Marsh D&O page, What other risks do directors and officers face? section..) | Travelers says D&O insurance protects directors and officers from personal losses if sued by employees, vendors, customers or other parties, covering defense costs, settlements and other costs from wrongful-act allegations such as securities litigation, regulatory actions and breach-of-fiduciary-duty claims. [10](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/directors-officers "Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Product page introduction and "Travelers knows Directors & Officers Liability Insurance" section; exact terms and exclusions are set by the issued policy..) |
| Limits and Retentions | Not described in the reviewed sources. | The reviewed page does not publish D&O limits, retentions or premiums; it references illustrative claim examples (settlements and defense costs from roughly $85,000 to over $1 million) as general risk context, not as policy terms. [10](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/directors-officers "Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance") (Evidence: Not found in reviewed sources; scope: Product page video claim scenarios as read on 2026-09-23..) |
| How to Apply | Not described in the reviewed sources. | D&O coverage is bought through a Travelers independent agent. [10](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/directors-officers "Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Product page "Find an insurance agent" call to action..) |

## Full Comparison

- [Marsh vs Travelers](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-travelers): 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.
- [Marsh vs Travelers Commercial Property Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-travelers/commercial-property)
- [Marsh vs Travelers Crime Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-travelers/crime)
- [Marsh vs Travelers Cyber Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-travelers/cyber)
- [Marsh vs Travelers Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-travelers/employment-practices)
- [Marsh vs Travelers Equipment Breakdown Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-travelers/equipment-breakdown)
- [Marsh vs Travelers Fidelity Bonds](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-travelers/fidelity-bonds)
- [Marsh vs Travelers Fiduciary Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-travelers/fiduciary)
- [Marsh vs Travelers Kidnap and Ransom Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-travelers/kidnap-ransom)
- [Marsh vs Travelers Management Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-travelers/management-liability)
- [Marsh vs Travelers Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-travelers/professional-errors-omissions)
- [Marsh vs Travelers Surety Bonds](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-travelers/surety-bonds)
- [Marsh vs Travelers Tech E&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-travelers/technology-errors-omissions)
- [Marsh vs Travelers Workers’ Compensation Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-travelers/workers-compensation)
- [Alliance Risk vs Marsh D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-marsh/directors-officers)
- [Alliance Risk vs Travelers D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-travelers/directors-officers)
- [Amelia Risk vs Marsh D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-marsh/directors-officers)
- [Amelia Risk vs Travelers D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-travelers/directors-officers)
- [Beazley vs Marsh D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/beazley-vs-marsh/directors-officers)
- [Beazley vs Travelers D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/beazley-vs-travelers/directors-officers)

## Sources

### Marsh

1. [Marsh | Leader in risk, strategy, people, and investments](https://www.marsh.com/en/home.html). Marsh; Hero and capability tiles; FAQ: What does Marsh do?; industries served; Is Marsh the same as Marsh McLennan? January 2026 brand change. Accessed 2026-09-16.
2. [Compensation guide for US clients](https://www.marsh.com/content/dam/marsh/Documents/PDF/US-en/us-client-compensation-guide.pdf). Marsh; US broking segments; broker role; retail commissions, client fees, wholesale, insurer consulting, contingent and supplemental commissions; Marsh LLC and Marsh USA LLC; page 3: broker role and Marsh & McLennan Agency segment; page 7: copyright © 2024 Marsh LLC. Accessed 2026-09-16.
3. [Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA)](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/marsh-mclennan-agency.html). Marsh; Middle-market US organizations; wholly-owned subsidiary; business insurance, employee health and benefits, retirement, private client. Accessed 2026-09-16.
4. [Technology | Insurance Broking & Risk Management](https://www.marsh.com/en/industries/technology.html). Marsh; Opening Technology Practice description; practice links including data center insurance, fintech and Stratus; Talk to us. Accessed 2026-09-16.
5. [Directors and Officers Liability (D&O)](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/directors-and-officers-liability.html). Marsh; Opening positioning for public, private and non-profit companies; FAQs: What are the most common risks for directors and officers?; What does D&O insurance cover? (Side A, B, C); What other risks do directors and officers face?; Ruth Kochenderfer, D&O Product Leader. Accessed 2026-09-23.
6. [Expert Executive and Professional Liability Insurance](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/executive-and-professional-liability.html). Marsh McLennan Agency; Directors and Officers subsection: covers costs from claims for alleged wrongful acts, including defense costs for civil, criminal and regulatory investigations. Accessed 2026-09-23.

### Travelers

7. [Technology Insurance](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/technology). Travelers; Technology insurance products we offer: CyberRisk Tech, Global Companion Plus+, general liability, commercial property, workers compensation, commercial auto, umbrella; startup-to-established-leader audience. Accessed 2026-09-16.
8. [Travelers Producer Compensation Disclosure (United States)](https://www.travelers.com/about-travelers/producer-compensation-disclosure). Travelers; Independent producers; seven compensation types; Simply Business, Inc. and InsuraMatch, LLC ownership; The Travelers Indemnity Company footer; Northfield Excess & Surplus Lines product list. Accessed 2026-09-16.
9. [Contact Us](https://www.travelers.com/contact-us). Travelers; Business insurance sold through independent agents; business claims 1.800.238.6225; MyTravelers for business features. Accessed 2026-09-16.
10. [Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance](https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-insurance/directors-officers). Travelers; What Is Directors & Officers Liability Insurance?; Who is D&O liability insurance right for?; video legal footer naming Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America. Accessed 2026-09-23.

### D&O Insurance Guide

11. [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/marsh-vs-travelers/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)