---
title: "RiskCube vs The Hartford Employment Practices Liability Insurance"
description: "RiskCube lists EPLI for first-hire startups on a catalogue card; The Hartford underwrites EPLI in BOP, package, and stand-alone products with state carve-outs."
canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/riskcube-vs-the-hartford/employment-practices"
page-type: "line-comparison"
updated-at: "2026-09-23"
---

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# RiskCube vs The Hartford Employment Practices Liability Insurance

RiskCube lists EPLI for first-hire startups on a catalogue card; The Hartford underwrites EPLI in BOP, package, and stand-alone products with state carve-outs.

## Research Scope and Use

Use this comparison to evaluate RiskCube and The Hartford for Employment Practices Liability 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

RiskCube is an independent brokerage that describes EPLI for startups hiring their first employees, without named insurers or limits. The Hartford underwrites EPLI, includes it in most Business Owner’s Policies, names a $25,000 Spectrum limit at Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company, and excludes built-in EPL in four states. [4](https://riskcubeai.com/insurance "Startup Insurance Coverage") [9](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance")

## What Is RiskCube Insurance?

RiskCube offers startup insurance brokerage through RiskCube Insurance Services, LLC, with a platform for comparing quotes and managing policies. Its published services emphasize vendor requirements, certificates and renewals; California product eligibility and applicable fees require confirmation. [1](https://riskcubeai.com/ "Startup Business Insurance") [2](https://riskcubeai.com/licenses "Licenses & Disclosures") [3](https://riskcubeai.com/disclosures "Disclosures & Compensation")

[RiskCube profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/riskcube)

## What Is The Hartford?

The Hartford is the brand of The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc., whose subsidiaries underwrite property-and-casualty insurance and employee benefits. Small-business buyers can start online or by phone or work through independent agents, while the issuing company and state eligibility still have to be confirmed on a quote. [6](https://www.thehartford.com/legal-notice "Legal Notice") [7](https://www.thehartford.com/business-insurance/saas-insurance "SaaS Insurance for Your Business") [8](https://www.thehartford.com/find-an-agent "Find a Local Insurance Agent")

[The Hartford profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/the-hartford)

## What Is Employment Practices Liability Insurance?

Employment practices liability insurance addresses claims alleging workplace wrongdoing, such as discrimination, harassment and wrongful termination. [10](https://www.iii.org/article/employment-practices-liability-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance")

## Key Differences in Employment Practices Liability Insurance

### Startup Brokerage Versus Hartford Insurer

RiskCube lists EPLI as an independent brokerage that does not underwrite the policy. The Hartford underwrites EPLI in a Business Owner’s Policy for most classes, in Private Choice Premier, and stand-alone as Employers Premier Choice. You either ask a brokerage to place unnamed paper or buy Hartford’s own products. [4](https://riskcubeai.com/insurance "Startup Insurance Coverage") [9](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance")

### First-Hire Frame Versus State Footnotes

RiskCube’s catalogue frames EPLI around startups hiring their first employees or scaling a team. Hartford footnotes say there is no built-in EPL in California, Minnesota, North Dakota or New York, that the described program does not apply to California-written EPL, and that a $25,000 limit applies to Spectrum business in Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company. RiskCube’s reviewed pages do not publish those state rules or that limit. [4](https://riskcubeai.com/insurance "Startup Insurance Coverage") [9](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance")

### One Catalogue Paragraph Versus Package Grants

RiskCube says EPLI covers wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment or retaliation by current or former employees, and its learn-more link is a contact form. Hartford lists additional items including FMLA, age discrimination, third-party EPLI for most businesses, Wage and Hour Defense Cost on the BOP, and hartfordhelp.com when you buy increased limits. Those Hartford package features are not on RiskCube’s catalogue card. [4](https://riskcubeai.com/insurance "Startup Insurance Coverage") [5](https://riskcubeai.com/insurance/epli "Contact RiskCube") [9](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance")

## What to Confirm in Employment Practices Liability Insurance Quotes

- If you operate in California, Minnesota, North Dakota or New York, ask Hartford how EPL is written there and which market RiskCube would use. [9](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance") [4](https://riskcubeai.com/insurance "Startup Insurance Coverage")
- Compare Hartford’s $25,000 Spectrum figure with the limit on a RiskCube placement. [9](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance") [4](https://riskcubeai.com/insurance "Startup Insurance Coverage")
- Ask whether third-party EPL and wage-and-hour defense appear on both quotes. [9](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance") [4](https://riskcubeai.com/insurance "Startup Insurance Coverage")
- Confirm how you apply: Hartford’s BOP or stand-alone path versus RiskCube’s contact form. [9](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance") [5](https://riskcubeai.com/insurance/epli "Contact RiskCube")

## Offering Details

| Criteria | RiskCube Employment Practices Liability Insurance | The Hartford Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Role in This Line | RiskCube lists Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) as one line in its startup catalogue, sold through RiskCube Insurance Services, LLC, which the catalogue page describes as an "Independent brokerage." RiskCube does not underwrite the policy itself. [4](https://riskcubeai.com/insurance "Startup Insurance Coverage") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Catalogue-level description; no EPLI-specific product page exists to confirm additional role detail..) | 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. [9](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: EPLI product page as read 2026-09-23..) |
| Issuing Insurer | Not described in the reviewed sources. | The Hartford names Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company as the writing company for the described $25,000 Spectrum EPL limit, though other EPLI products on the page (BOP-included, Private Choice Premier, Employers Premier Choice) are not each tied to a named writing company on this page. [9](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: EPLI product page footnote as read 2026-09-23..) |
| Who It’s For | RiskCube's catalogue says EPLI is "critical for startups hiring their first employees or scaling a team rapidly," framing it around early hiring growth rather than company size generally. [4](https://riskcubeai.com/insurance "Startup Insurance Coverage") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Catalogue marketing description, not an underwriting eligibility rule..) | 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. [9](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: EPLI product page footnotes as read 2026-09-23 (page last updated by The Hartford November 26, 2025)..) |
| Coverage Features | RiskCube's catalogue describes EPLI as covering claims from current or former employees alleging wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment or retaliation. [4](https://riskcubeai.com/insurance "Startup Insurance Coverage") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: One-paragraph catalogue card; no policy form or endorsement list was found for this line..) | 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. [9](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: EPLI product page as read 2026-09-23. General coverage description; the issued policy controls..) |
| Limits and Retentions | The reviewed EPLI catalogue card and contact-form page do not publish limit, retention or premium ranges for this line. [4](https://riskcubeai.com/insurance "Startup Insurance Coverage") [5](https://riskcubeai.com/insurance/epli "Contact RiskCube") (Evidence: Not publicly disclosed; scope: Public pages checked on 2026-09-23; amounts may appear only on an individual quote..) | The Hartford's EPLI footnote states a $25,000 limit applies to Spectrum business written in Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company. [9](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: EPLI product page footnote as read 2026-09-23. Applies specifically to Spectrum-program business at that writing company; other products/limits are not addressed..) |
| Risk Services | Not described in the reviewed sources. | The Hartford says it gives employers access to hartfordhelp.com, a proprietary site with web-based training on topics like sexual harassment and wrongful termination, current articles on employment-practices trends, and model employment policies and handbooks; this program requires purchase of increased EPL limits and may not be available in all states. [9](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: EPLI product page as read 2026-09-23..) |
| How to Apply | Unlike RiskCube's technology E&O and key person life insurance lines, the catalogue's "Learn more" link for EPLI (riskcubeai.com/insurance/epli) redirects to a general contact form rather than a dedicated page describing an EPLI-specific application flow, timeline or required intake information. [5](https://riskcubeai.com/insurance/epli "Contact RiskCube") (Evidence: Not found in reviewed sources; scope: Checked on 2026-09-23; the URL may change to a dedicated page later..) | Not described in the reviewed sources. |

## Full Comparison

- [RiskCube vs The Hartford](https://spot.insure/compare/riskcube-vs-the-hartford): all coverage lines, business roles, service and claims.
- [What Is Employment Practices Liability Insurance?](https://spot.insure/coverage/employment-practices): Employment practices liability insurance can help defend your business against covered claims of discrimination, harassment and wrongful termination.
- [RiskCube vs The Hartford Crime Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/riskcube-vs-the-hartford/crime)
- [RiskCube vs The Hartford Cyber Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/riskcube-vs-the-hartford/cyber)
- [RiskCube vs The Hartford D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/riskcube-vs-the-hartford/directors-officers)
- [RiskCube vs The Hartford Fiduciary Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/riskcube-vs-the-hartford/fiduciary)
- [RiskCube vs The Hartford General Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/riskcube-vs-the-hartford/general-liability)
- [RiskCube vs The Hartford Tech E&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/riskcube-vs-the-hartford/technology-errors-omissions)
- [Alliance Risk vs RiskCube Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-riskcube/employment-practices)
- [Alliance Risk vs The Hartford Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-the-hartford/employment-practices)
- [Amelia Risk vs RiskCube Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-riskcube/employment-practices)
- [Amelia Risk vs The Hartford Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-the-hartford/employment-practices)
- [Beazley vs RiskCube Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/beazley-vs-riskcube/employment-practices)
- [Beazley vs The Hartford Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/beazley-vs-the-hartford/employment-practices)

## Sources

### RiskCube

1. [Startup Business Insurance](https://riskcubeai.com/). RiskCube; Solution; Compare/Buy/Manage; Who we insure; footer. Accessed 2026-09-16.
2. [Licenses & Disclosures](https://riskcubeai.com/licenses). RiskCube; Property & Casualty Producer/Broker Licenses; February 11, 2026 version. Accessed 2026-09-16.
3. [Disclosures & Compensation](https://riskcubeai.com/disclosures). RiskCube; Sections 1–5; February 11, 2026 version. Accessed 2026-09-16.
4. [Startup Insurance Coverage](https://riskcubeai.com/insurance). RiskCube; Employment Practices Liability card: "EPLI covers claims from current or former employees alleging wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. Critical for startups hiring their first employees or scaling a team rapidly."; footer "CA License #6017028 ... Independent brokerage · NPN 21694336". Accessed 2026-09-23.
5. [Contact RiskCube](https://riskcubeai.com/insurance/epli). RiskCube; The catalogue's Employment Practices Liability "Learn more" link resolves to a general contact form, not a dedicated EPLI product page. Accessed 2026-09-23.

### The Hartford

6. [Legal Notice](https://www.thehartford.com/legal-notice). The Hartford; The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. holding-company description; no representation that all products are available in all locations; P&C writing-company table as of December 31, 2025 including Hartford Fire (NAIC 19682) and Hartford Underwriters (NAIC 30104); life writing companies including Hartford Life and Accident (NAIC 70815). Accessed 2026-09-16.
7. [SaaS Insurance for Your Business](https://www.thehartford.com/business-insurance/saas-insurance). The Hartford; Audience list (software startups, SaaS, IT consulting); Get a Business Owner’s Policy; What Is Business Owner’s Policy Insurance?; general liability introduction and Get a Quote; Get Commercial Property Insurance; Commercial Property Insurance for Your Business; Benefits of The Hartford’s WC Insurance for Employers and Employees; cyber insurance and data breach descriptions; Get a quote for cyber insurance; EPLI introduction and Private Choice Premier; add-ons (workers’ compensation, data breach, commercial auto); technology professional liability mention; small-business availability banner; industry-average premium footnote; footnote 2 state restrictions; footer product-availability disclosure. Accessed 2026-09-16.
8. [Find a Local Insurance Agent](https://www.thehartford.com/find-an-agent). The Hartford; Small-business and midsize agent locators; FAQ that buyers can purchase without an agent by calling or quoting online; statement that agents may charge fees. Accessed 2026-09-16.
9. [Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance). The Hartford; What Is Employment Practices Liability Insurance?; Why Do I Need EPLI?; If You Have Employees, You Need EPLI; Prevention Is Your Best Protection; footnotes 1-4 on state availability and Wage and Hour Defense Cost. Accessed 2026-09-23.

### Employment Practices Liability Insurance Guide

10. [Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://www.iii.org/article/employment-practices-liability-insurance). Insurance Information Institute; Opening; What EPLI covers; Steps to limit employment liability risk. 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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