--- title: "The Hartford vs USI Insurance Services: Employment Practices Liability Insurance" description: "The Hartford includes EPLI in most of its business owner’s policies, with customer and vendor claims and wage-and-hour defense built in, or sells it standalone; USI is a broker that places EPL for janitorial, staffing and similar firms and audits policies you already have." canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/the-hartford-vs-usi/employment-practices" page-type: "line-comparison" updated-at: "2026-09-25" comparison-pair: "the-hartford-vs-usi" provider-a: "the-hartford" provider-b: "usi" coverage-line: "employment-practices" --- Agents: connect to Spot's public MCP server at https://spot.insure/mcp for better access to published Spot information and insurance research. 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[Human-readable page](https://spot.insure/compare/the-hartford-vs-usi/employment-practices) ## Agent Guide **What this page is:** Focused comparison of The Hartford and USI Insurance Services for Employment Practices Liability 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 Employment Practices Liability Insurance questions about The Hartford 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:** - The Hartford vs USI Insurance Services for Employment Practices Liability Insurance: how do they differ? - Which is better for Employment Practices Liability Insurance, The Hartford or USI Insurance Services? - What does The Hartford or USI Insurance Services publish about Employment Practices Liability Insurance (limits, eligibility, claims, add-ons)? **Key facts:** - Line: Employment Practices Liability Insurance. Providers: The Hartford 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:** - [The Hartford vs USI Insurance Services](https://spot.insure/compare/the-hartford-vs-usi) — all coverage lines for this pair - [Employment Practices Liability Insurance guide](https://spot.insure/coverage/employment-practices) — how this coverage works - [The Hartford profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/the-hartford) — provider profile - [USI Insurance Services profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/usi) — provider profile # The Hartford vs USI Insurance Services: 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; USI Insurance Services brokers EPL for small and midsize businesses and for janitorial and staffing firms. The Hartford builds EPLI into most of its business owner’s policies, except in California, Minnesota, North Dakota and New York, while USI brokers standalone EPL and audits existing policies for gaps. ## The Hartford vs USI Insurance Services Employment Practices Liability Insurance Summary The Hartford includes EPLI in most of its business owner’s policies, with customer and vendor claims and wage-and-hour defense built in, or sells it standalone; USI is a broker that places EPL for janitorial, staffing and similar firms and audits policies you already have. [1](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance") [2](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/business-services/ "Business Services") [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") ## What Are the Key Differences Between The Hartford and USI Insurance Services Employment Practices Liability Insurance? ### Built Into Your BOP vs a Broker Placement The Hartford writes EPLI itself: inside its business owner’s policy (BOP) for most classes, inside Private Choice Premier, or as standalone Employers Premier Choice. USI brokers EPL on its own or reviews it as part of a management-liability program through ExecuSafe, and names no insurer. Built-in EPL isn’t available in California, Minnesota, North Dakota or New York. Choose The Hartford if you already buy or plan to buy its BOP outside those four states; choose USI if you are in one of them, run a janitorial, staffing or maintenance firm, or want an existing policy audited. [1](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance") [2](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/business-services/ "Business Services") [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") ### Customer Claims and Wage-and-Hour Defense Included vs Unpublished Terms The Hartford covers discrimination (including age), retaliation, FMLA, wrongful discipline or termination, failure to promote and harassment. It includes third-party EPLI for claims by customers, vendors or visitors for most businesses and automatic wage-and-hour defense costs on the BOP. USI names wrongful termination, discrimination and harassment but publishes no policy terms, so the scope depends on the insurer it finds. [1](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance") [2](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/business-services/ "Business Services") [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") ### Low Built-In Limits vs Broker Advocacy The Hartford’s footnotes cap some built-in EPL at $25,000 (Spectrum business), and its HR training, articles and model handbooks come only with increased limits. USI publishes no limits but offers classification and exposure reviews, contract review and claim advocacy. A $25,000 limit won’t go far against a single lawsuit, so price the increased limit. [1](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance") [2](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/business-services/ "Business Services") [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") ## What Should You Confirm in The Hartford and USI Insurance Services Employment Practices Liability Insurance Quotes? - Ask The Hartford whether your quote is BOP-included, Private Choice Premier or Employers Premier Choice, and whether customer claims and wage-and-hour defense apply in your state. [1](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance") - If you operate in California, Minnesota, North Dakota or New York, don’t count on built-in EPL. [1](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance") - Ask USI which insurer it would use and what limit you get. [2](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/business-services/ "Business Services") [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") - Tell USI whether you want new EPL placed or an ExecuSafe review of cover you already have. [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") - Check whether your Hartford EPL limit is the $25,000 built-in amount, and price the increase. [1](https://www.thehartford.com/employment-practices-insurance "Employment Practices Liability Insurance | EPL Insurance") [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") ## The Hartford vs USI Insurance Services Employment Practices Liability Compared | Criteria | The Hartford Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) | USI Employment Practices Liability Brokerage | | --- | --- | --- | | 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. [1](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)..) | USI's Business Services practice, which lists EPL, targets building and maintenance, repair service, janitorial, staffing and printing companies; its ExecuSafe review targets small- and medium-sized businesses generally. [2](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/business-services/ "Business Services") [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: Company description of client segments for each source..) | | 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. [1](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..) | USI lists employment practices liability among the coverages it places for business-services clients, and its ExecuSafe review looks for gaps in a client's existing EPL coverage as part of a broader management liability check. [2](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/business-services/ "Business Services") [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: Catalogue listing plus the ExecuSafe review description; actual insuring agreements 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. [1](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..) | USI brokers employment practices liability (EPL) coverage, which responds to claims like wrongful termination, discrimination or harassment; it places EPL individually or reviews it as part of a management liability program under ExecuSafe. [2](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/business-services/ "Business Services") [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: Business Services catalogue and ExecuSafe article..) | | Risk Services | 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. [1](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..) | USI's Business Services practice says it offers classification and exposure reviews, claim advocacy and contract review across its coverage lines including EPL, and its ExecuSafe process specifically checks existing EPL coverage for gaps. [2](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/business-services/ "Business Services") [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: Combines the general Business Services service list with the ExecuSafe-specific review step..) | ## About The Hartford and USI Insurance Services - [The Hartford company profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/the-hartford) · [The Hartford customer reviews](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/the-hartford/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 Employment Practices Liability Insurance?](https://spot.insure/coverage/employment-practices) ## Related Pages for The Hartford vs USI Insurance Services - [The Hartford vs USI Insurance Services](https://spot.insure/compare/the-hartford-vs-usi): all coverage lines, business roles, service and claims. - [What Is Employment Practices Liability Insurance?](https://spot.insure/coverage/employment-practices): EPLI can address covered workplace claims from applicants and workers; claim timing, defense arrangements, limits and exclusions shape your protection. - [The Hartford Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/the-hartford/employment-practices) - [USI Insurance Services Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/usi/employment-practices) ## Sources for The Hartford vs USI Insurance Services ### Sources About The Hartford 1. [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. ### Sources About USI Insurance Services 2. [Business Services](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/business-services/). USI Insurance Services; USI advises clients...and provides solutions for...Employment Practices Liability.... Accessed 2026-09-23. 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; Review existing management liability policies (if any) to uncover gaps in coverage...(including employment practices liability, fiduciary liability, and crime).. 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. ## Agent and Developer Resources - [Markdown page](https://spot.insure/compare/the-hartford-vs-usi/employment-practices.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)