The Hartford vs 
Travelers: How Do They Compare for Employment Practices Liability Insurance?
The Hartford builds EPLI into its Business Owner's Policy for most classes, but not in California, Minnesota, North Dakota or New York. Travelers insures EPL within its Management Liability portfolio and distributes coverage through independent agents.
The Hartford is the easy route for small businesses: EPLI comes built into its Business Owner's Policy, except in California, Minnesota, North Dakota and New York. Travelers suits public companies, nonprofits and financial institutions, selling EPL standalone or bundled through independent agents. 1,2
What Are the Key Differences Between The Hartford and Travelers Employment Practices Liability Insurance?
Small-Business BOP Bundle vs Standalone Cover for Larger Organizations
The Hartford builds EPLI into its Business Owner's Policy for most classes, includes it in Private Choice Premier and sells standalone Employers Premier Choice, but has no built-in EPLI in California, Minnesota, North Dakota or New York. Travelers writes EPL within its management and professional liability line, standalone or bundled, for financial institutions, nonprofits, and private and public companies. Choose The Hartford if you're a small business outside those four states buying a BOP; choose Travelers if you're public, a nonprofit or a financial institution, or need EPL in one of those states. 1 2
Low Published Limit vs No Published Limit
The Hartford's Spectrum option lists a $25,000 EPL limit, which may be thin against a single lawsuit. Travelers publishes no limits, so you won't know until an agent quotes. 1 2
What Should You Confirm in The Hartford and Travelers Employment Practices Liability Insurance Quotes?
- Ask which Hartford product you're quoted (BOP, Private Choice Premier or Employers Premier Choice), and whether Travelers is standalone or packaged. 1 2
- Compare the Hartford $25,000 Spectrum limit with the Travelers limit your agent quotes. 1 2
- If you operate in California, Minnesota, North Dakota or New York, ask both how they'd write EPL there. 1 2
- Compare third-party EPL and wage-and-hour defense on each. 1 2
- Check the insurer on each policy: Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company for Spectrum, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America or an affiliate for Travelers. 1 2
The Hartford vs Travelers Employment Practices Liability Compared
The Hartford vs Travelers: Employment Practices Liability Insurance: documented features by provider
| Criteria | The Hartford Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) | Travelers Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPL) |
|---|---|---|
| Who It’s For | 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. 1Company-reported. EPLI product page footnotes as read 2026-09-23 (page last updated by The Hartford November 26, 2025). | Travelers markets EPL coverage to financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, private companies and public companies. 2Company-reported. Product page "Who is this right for?" section. |
| Coverage Features | 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. 1Company-reported. EPLI product page as read 2026-09-23. General coverage description; the issued policy controls. | Travelers says EPL insurance covers defense costs and damages tied to employment-related claims, including wrongful termination, discrimination, workplace harassment and retaliation. 2Company-reported. Product page "What is EPL insurance?" section; exact terms and exclusions are set by the issued policy. |
| Role in This Line | 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. 1Company-reported. EPLI product page as read 2026-09-23. | Travelers underwrites EPL insurance as part of its Management & Professional Liability line, sold standalone or alongside other management liability coverages. 2Company-reported. Product page general framing; confirmed against the broader Management and Professional Liability Insurance page. |
| Issuing Insurer | 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. 1Company-reported. EPLI product page footnote as read 2026-09-23. | The product page's video disclosure names Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America and its property casualty affiliates; the specific issuing entity for a given policy can vary. 2Company-reported. Product page video legal footer. |
