---
title: "Marsh vs USI Insurance Services D&O Insurance"
description: "Marsh names ESG-related scrutiny as an emerging D&O pressure; USI instead cites a benchmarking case study that cut one client's D&O premium."
canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-usi/directors-officers"
page-type: "line-comparison"
updated-at: "2026-09-23"
---

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

# Marsh vs USI Insurance Services D&O Insurance

Marsh names ESG-related scrutiny as an emerging D&O pressure; USI instead cites a benchmarking case study that cut one client's D&O premium.

## Research Scope and Use

Use this comparison to evaluate Marsh and USI Insurance Services 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 names ESG-related stakeholder scrutiny as an added pressure on directors and officers, while USI's Technology practice cites a benchmarking case study that saved one software company more than $100,000 a year in D&O premium instead of naming a risk category. [5](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/directors-and-officers-liability.html "Directors and Officers Liability (D&O)") [8](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/technology/ "Technology 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 USI Insurance Services?

USI Insurance Services is a U.S. insurance brokerage and consulting firm that arranges property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, and retirement programs. Its Technology practice says it works with software, hardware, and related companies from early seed stage through IPO, using a consultative process rather than a published self-serve quote. [7](https://www.usi.com/about-usi "The Power of ONE") [8](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/technology/ "Technology Insurance") [9](https://www.usi.com/commissions-fees/ "Commissions and Fees")

[USI Insurance Services profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/usi)

## What Is Directors and Officers Insurance?

Directors and officers liability insurance addresses covered claims alleging wrongful acts in managing an organization. [12](https://www.thehartford.com/business-insurance/glossary-of-business-insurance-terms "Glossary of Business Insurance Terms")

## Key Differences in D&O Insurance

### Advisory Practice Versus a Named Endorsement Program

Marsh's financial and professional liability practice explains coverage sides and risk categories for its clients. [5](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/directors-and-officers-liability.html "Directors and Officers Liability (D&O)") USI instead leads with a specific product it built for this line:

USI is a broker for D&O coverage. It says it helps clients identify D&O exposures, review any existing management liability policies for gaps, and place coverage, including through its own named endorsement package, ExecuSafe. [10](https://www.usi.com/executive-insights/executive-series-articles/supplemental/emerging-business/q3-2023/protect-against-management-liability-risks/ "Protect Your Company and Personal Assets From Management Liability Risks") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: ExecuSafe article's "How USI Can Help" section..)

### Who Each Side Says Is at Risk

USI's framing centers on smaller businesses it says often skip D&O or buy too little because their broker never raised the issue. [10](https://www.usi.com/executive-insights/executive-series-articles/supplemental/emerging-business/q3-2023/protect-against-management-liability-risks/ "Protect Your Company and Personal Assets From Management Liability Risks") Marsh instead splits eligibility by organization type, saying public companies more often face securities suits while private or nonprofit organizations more often face employment-practices claims. [5](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/directors-and-officers-liability.html "Directors and Officers Liability (D&O)")

### A Reported Outcome on One Side Only

USI cites a specific benchmarking result for a technology client, saving that company more than $100,000 a year in D&O premium. [8](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/technology/ "Technology Insurance") Marsh's D&O page has no comparable case study; it focuses on coverage explanation and risk categories rather than a documented client outcome. [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

- Ask Marsh which entity issues the policy; the reviewed pages don't name one. [5](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/directors-and-officers-liability.html "Directors and Officers Liability (D&O)")
- Ask USI which insurer would underwrite an ExecuSafe-endorsed policy; the reviewed pages have the same gap. [10](https://www.usi.com/executive-insights/executive-series-articles/supplemental/emerging-business/q3-2023/protect-against-management-liability-risks/ "Protect Your Company and Personal Assets From Management Liability Risks")
- Ask USI whether the benchmarking savings example reflects your company's size and risk profile before assuming similar results. [8](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/technology/ "Technology Insurance")
- If board diversity or executive-pay scrutiny is a concern for your company, ask Marsh how that factors into the placement. [5](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/directors-and-officers-liability.html "Directors and Officers Liability (D&O)")

## Offering Details

| Criteria | Marsh Directors and Officers Liability (D&O) Insurance | USI ExecuSafe Directors & Officers Liability Program |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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..) | USI is a broker for D&O coverage. It says it helps clients identify D&O exposures, review any existing management liability policies for gaps, and place coverage, including through its own named endorsement package, ExecuSafe. [10](https://www.usi.com/executive-insights/executive-series-articles/supplemental/emerging-business/q3-2023/protect-against-management-liability-risks/ "Protect Your Company and Personal Assets From Management Liability Risks") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: ExecuSafe article's "How USI Can Help" section..) |
| 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..) | USI does not name the insurer that underwrites ExecuSafe or other D&O placements on the pages reviewed; it describes ExecuSafe as an endorsement package it applies to policies placed with the market. [10](https://www.usi.com/executive-insights/executive-series-articles/supplemental/emerging-business/q3-2023/protect-against-management-liability-risks/ "Protect Your Company and Personal Assets From Management Liability Risks") (Evidence: Not publicly disclosed; scope: ExecuSafe article and Technology/Business Services practice pages as read on 2026-09-23..) |
| 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..) | USI targets small- and medium-sized businesses for ExecuSafe, saying many either skip D&O coverage or buy insufficient limits because their brokers do not help them identify the exposure. Its Technology practice separately places D&O for software, hardware and communications clients from seed stage through IPO. [10](https://www.usi.com/executive-insights/executive-series-articles/supplemental/emerging-business/q3-2023/protect-against-management-liability-risks/ "Protect Your Company and Personal Assets From Management Liability Risks") [8](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/technology/ "Technology Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: ExecuSafe article eligibility framing and Technology practice client description..) |
| 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..) | USI says D&O insurance is meant to protect a company's leadership from personal loss in a lawsuit, since the corporate veil does not shield directors and officers from personal liability for the business's actions and debts. It lists breach of contract, breach of duty, misrepresentation, unfair competition, misappropriation of trade secrets, securities lawsuits and creditor lawsuits as common claim types the coverage responds to. [10](https://www.usi.com/executive-insights/executive-series-articles/supplemental/emerging-business/q3-2023/protect-against-management-liability-risks/ "Protect Your Company and Personal Assets From Management Liability Risks") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: ExecuSafe article's description of D&O purpose and claim types; actual insuring agreements and exclusions are set by the issued policy..) |
| Limits and Retentions | Not described in the reviewed sources. | USI cites a 2016 Chubb survey that found 43% of private companies carry no D&O coverage, with an average private-company D&O claim cost of $450,000, but the article does not publish USI's own placed limits, retentions or premium ranges for ExecuSafe. [10](https://www.usi.com/executive-insights/executive-series-articles/supplemental/emerging-business/q3-2023/protect-against-management-liability-risks/ "Protect Your Company and Personal Assets From Management Liability Risks") (Evidence: Not publicly disclosed; scope: Third-party statistic cited by USI to illustrate exposure, not USI's own placement data..) |
| Risk Services | Not described in the reviewed sources. | USI's Technology practice cites a case study where its benchmarking analysis showed a software company was buying more D&O limit than peers with similar risk profiles, and says the resulting change saved the client more than $100,000 per year in D&O premium. [8](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/technology/ "Technology Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Single case study on the Technology practice page; company-reported outcome, not independently verified..) |
| How to Apply | Not described in the reviewed sources. | USI directs small- and medium-sized businesses interested in ExecuSafe to email Select.Business@usi.com; its Technology and Business Services practices separately route inquiries to pcinquiries@usi.com or a local USI office. [10](https://www.usi.com/executive-insights/executive-series-articles/supplemental/emerging-business/q3-2023/protect-against-management-liability-risks/ "Protect Your Company and Personal Assets From Management Liability Risks") [8](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/technology/ "Technology Insurance") [11](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/business-services/ "Business Services") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Contact instructions on the ExecuSafe article and the Technology and Business Services pages..) |

## Full Comparison

- [Marsh vs USI Insurance Services](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-usi): 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 USI Insurance Services Commercial Property Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-usi/commercial-property)
- [Marsh vs USI Insurance Services Crime Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-usi/crime)
- [Marsh vs USI Insurance Services Cyber Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-usi/cyber)
- [Marsh vs USI Insurance Services Employee Health Benefits](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-usi/employee-health-benefits)
- [Marsh vs USI Insurance Services Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-usi/employment-practices)
- [Marsh vs USI Insurance Services Fiduciary Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-usi/fiduciary)
- [Marsh vs USI Insurance Services Management Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-usi/management-liability)
- [Marsh vs USI Insurance Services Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-usi/professional-errors-omissions)
- [Marsh vs USI Insurance Services Surety Bonds](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-usi/surety-bonds)
- [Marsh vs USI Insurance Services Workers’ Compensation Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-usi/workers-compensation)
- [Alliance Risk vs Marsh D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-marsh/directors-officers)
- [Alliance Risk vs USI Insurance Services D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-usi/directors-officers)
- [Amelia Risk vs Marsh D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-marsh/directors-officers)
- [Amelia Risk vs USI Insurance Services D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-usi/directors-officers)
- [Beazley vs Marsh D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/beazley-vs-marsh/directors-officers)
- [Beazley vs USI Insurance Services D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/beazley-vs-usi/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.

### USI Insurance Services

7. [The Power of ONE](https://www.usi.com/about-usi). USI Insurance Services; History, client-count, nationwide office, and P&C / benefits / personal risk / retirement description. Accessed 2026-09-16.
8. [Technology Insurance](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/technology/). USI Insurance Services; USI's Technology Practice provides risk management advisory and insurance placement for: ...Directors & Officers Liability...; CASE STUDY: USI Benchmarking Saves Software Company $100,000 in D&O Premiums. Accessed 2026-09-23.
9. [Commissions and Fees](https://www.usi.com/commissions-fees/). USI Insurance Services; Licensed-producer authority, insurer-paid commission default, contingent compensation, and client request right. Accessed 2026-09-16.
10. [Protect Your Company and Personal Assets From Management Liability Risks](https://www.usi.com/executive-insights/executive-series-articles/supplemental/emerging-business/q3-2023/protect-against-management-liability-risks/). USI Insurance Services; JULY 5, 2023 article; common D&O claim types (Breach of Contract, Breach of Duty, Misrepresentation, Unfair Competition, Misappropriation of Trade Secrets, Securities Lawsuits, Creditor Lawsuits); Creditor Suit and Competitor Disputes scenarios; How USI Can Help; ExecuSafe endorsement packs. Accessed 2026-09-23.
11. [Business Services](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/business-services/). USI Insurance Services; USI advises clients...and provides solutions for...Directors & Officers Liability.... Accessed 2026-09-23.

### D&O Insurance Guide

12. [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.

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