---
title: "Marsh vs USI Insurance Services: D&O Insurance"
description: "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."
canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-usi/directors-officers"
page-type: "line-comparison"
updated-at: "2026-09-25"
comparison-pair: "marsh-vs-usi"
provider-a: "marsh"
provider-b: "usi"
coverage-line: "directors-officers"
---

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

## Agent Guide

**What this page is:** Focused comparison of Marsh and USI Insurance Services 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 Marsh versus USI Insurance Services. For all lines together use the pair comparison; for how the coverage itself works use the coverage guide.

**Questions this page answers:**
- Marsh vs USI Insurance Services for D&O Insurance: how do they differ?
- Which is better for D&O Insurance, Marsh or USI Insurance Services?
- What does Marsh or USI Insurance Services publish about D&O Insurance (limits, eligibility, claims, add-ons)?

**Key facts:**
- Line: D&O Insurance. Providers: Marsh and USI Insurance Services.
- Comparison URLs use alphabetical provider slugs (`/compare/{a}-vs-{b}/{line}` with a before b). A reversed pair redirects permanently to the alphabetical one.

**Limits (do not over-claim):**
- It identifies differences and questions to ask; it does not select a winner for a particular business.
- 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; last updated 2026-09-25.

**Related pages:**
- [Marsh vs USI Insurance Services](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-usi) — all coverage lines for this pair
- [D&O Insurance guide](https://spot.insure/coverage/directors-officers) — how this coverage works
- [Marsh profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/marsh) — provider profile
- [USI Insurance Services profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/usi) — provider profile

# Marsh vs USI Insurance Services: How Do They Compare for D&O Insurance?

Marsh describes D&O for public-company directors and officers, while USI Insurance Services brokers coverage for small and midsize businesses through local advisors.

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.

## Marsh vs USI Insurance Services D&O Insurance 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. [1](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/directors-and-officers-liability.html "Directors and Officers Liability (D&O)") [4](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/technology/ "Technology Insurance")

## What Are the Key Differences Between Marsh and USI Insurance Services 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. [1](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. [3](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..)

When comparing Marsh and USI Insurance Services, the more specific product menu can make fit easier to judge before you request a quote.

### 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. [3](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. [1](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. [4](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. [1](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/directors-and-officers-liability.html "Directors and Officers Liability (D&O)")

## What Should You Confirm in Marsh and USI Insurance Services D&O Insurance Quotes?

- Ask Marsh which entity issues the policy; the reviewed pages don't name one. [1](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. [3](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. [4](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. [1](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/directors-and-officers-liability.html "Directors and Officers Liability (D&O)")

## Marsh vs USI Insurance Services D&O Insurance Compared

| Criteria | Marsh Directors and Officers Liability (D&O) Insurance | USI ExecuSafe Directors & Officers Liability Program |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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. [1](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. [3](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") [4](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. [1](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. [1](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. [3](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..) |
| 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. [1](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/financial-professional-liability/expertise/directors-and-officers-liability.html "Directors and Officers Liability (D&O)") [2](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. [3](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..) |

## About Marsh and USI Insurance Services and D&O Insurance

- [Marsh company profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/marsh) · [Marsh customer reviews](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/marsh/reviews)
- [USI Insurance Services company profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/usi) · [USI Insurance Services customer reviews](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/usi/reviews)
- [What Is Directors and Officers Insurance?](https://spot.insure/coverage/directors-officers)

## Related Pages for Marsh vs USI Insurance Services D&O Insurance

- [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): 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.
- [Marsh D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/marsh/directors-officers)
- [USI Insurance Services D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/usi/directors-officers)

## Sources for Marsh vs USI Insurance Services D&O Insurance

### Sources About Marsh

1. [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.
2. [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.

### Sources About USI Insurance Services

3. [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.
4. [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.
5. [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.

Updated 2026-09-25. 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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