At Bay vs Markel: Professional Liability / E&O Insurance

Miscellaneous E&O limits differ: At-Bay states up to $5 million for businesses of all revenue sizes, subject to state and eligibility rules, while Markel Insurance states up to $2 million for small businesses up to $5 million in revenue.

Kearny Risk organizes these comparisons for firms whose advice, content or technology creates professional exposures.Research updated 2026-09-30

Areas of coverage

At-Bay

  • role: At-Bay markets MPL as one of its own named insurance products, sold through its disclosed producer, At-Bay Insurance Services LLC, with the product page directed at "properly licensed insurance professionals" submitting business rather than at direct retail buyers. Current MPL product page and license disclosures; this describes the distribution channel, not who bears the underwriting risk.company-reportedSource ↗Source ↗
  • insurer: The current MPL product page does not name the insurer that issues the policy. A September 2023 press release named United Specialty Company in connection with MPL, but that historical reference does not establish the current issuing insurer for a new MPL quote. Reviewed MPL page as of 2026-09-23 and the September 2023 press release; restates the existing provider fact that MPL's current issuer is unresolved, distinct from the August 2023 Cyber/Tech E&O transition to At-Bay Specialty Insurance Company paper.not-foundSource ↗Source ↗
  • eligibility: At-Bay says it provides primary MPL for businesses of all revenue sizes with limits up to $5 million, subject to state restrictions and eligibility requirements detailed in a separate MPL appetite guide. Current MPL appetite paragraph; the linked appetite guide's specific eligibility requirements were not independently opened for this record.company-reportedSource ↗
  • coverage: At-Bay lists MPL coverage highlights including automatic coverage for acquired subsidiaries, claims-made-and-reported coverage, coverage for independent contractors, disciplinary-proceedings defense, a duty-to-defend contract, personal-injury coverage (including emotional distress), punitive damages where insurable, a professional-services definition written for each insured, and an 80/20 hammer clause. Product-page coverage-highlights list; an 80/20 hammer clause is a settlement provision where the insurer pays 80% and the insured pays 20% of costs after the insured declines a recommended settlement. The issued policy and declarations control actual wording, limits and exclusions.company-reportedSource ↗
  • limits: At-Bay publishes an MPL limit ceiling of up to $5 million, with state restrictions that are not detailed on the product page itself. Current appetite paragraph; this is an advertised ceiling, not a guaranteed available limit for any specific applicant.company-reportedSource ↗
  • application: At-Bay directs MPL submissions to underwriting by email or through automatic quotes on its Broker Platform, which At-Bay describes as a workflow of creating a quote, customizing limits and retentions, and binding the policy. Current submission instructions and the general broker-platform workflow description; MPL-specific automation details were not separately confirmed.company-reportedSource ↗Source ↗

Markel Insurance

  • role: Markel describes offering professional errors omissions for the audience stated on the cited product page. professional errors omissions marketed by markel; scope is limited to the cited official product overview and described audience. This is not a policy form or a universal eligibility statement.company-reportedSource ↗
  • eligibility: Small businesses in ProBiz's targeted industries; source describes businesses up to $5 million revenue for the miscellaneous E&O product. professional errors omissions marketed by markel; scope is limited to the cited official product overview and described audience. This is not a policy form or a universal eligibility statement.company-reportedSource ↗
  • coverage: The cited product page describes miscellaneous E&O for covered claims arising from professional services, with the page describing separate E&O and management-liability products. Marketing description only; actual coverage, exclusions, conditions, limits, and availability depend on the issued policy and jurisdiction. professional errors omissions marketed by markel; scope is limited to the cited official product overview and described audience. This is not a policy form or a universal eligibility statement.company-reportedSource ↗
  • application: The page invites prospective customers or brokers to contact Markel or the named underwriting team. The page does not establish a quote, bind, or coverage-effective timeline. professional errors omissions marketed by markel; scope is limited to the cited official product overview and described audience. This is not a policy form or a universal eligibility statement.company-reportedSource ↗
  • limits: For its miscellaneous E&O product, Markel states coverage up to $2 million; this is a product-page maximum, not a promise that every applicant or quote receives that amount. Markel ProBiz miscellaneous E&O marketing page; class, underwriting, policy terms, and actual quoted limit control.company-reportedSource ↗

What Are the Key Differences Between At-Bay and Markel Insurance Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance?

Published ceilings

At-Bay says it offers primary MPL to businesses of all revenue sizes, with limits up to $5 million, subject to state restrictions and eligibility. Markel's miscellaneous E&O page describes small businesses in selected industries, with a revenue scope up to $5 million and a stated $2 million maximum. A higher ceiling may matter when client contracts require larger limits, but confirm availability for your state and risk. [4] [7]

Form features and submission

At-Bay lists claims-made-and-reported cover, independent-contractor coverage, disciplinary-defense and a duty-to-defend contract; licensed professionals can submit by email or quote through its Broker Platform. Markel's reviewed description does not detail those features or an online broker workflow. Compare the actual defense wording and reporting rules, not just the headline limit. [4] [2] [7]

At-Bay also lists automatic coverage for acquired subsidiaries; Markel’s overview describes its small-business focus but does not address acquired-entity status. Ask both how a new subsidiary would be insured. [4] [7]

What Should You Confirm in At-Bay and Markel Insurance Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance Quotes?

  • Ask At-Bay which states and appetite rules apply and whether your submission can reach the $5 million ceiling.
  • Ask Markel for its reporting terms, independent-contractor treatment and available limit.

At-Bay offers primary MPL to businesses of all revenue sizes up to $5 million through licensed professionals; Markel targets small businesses up to $5 million revenue and states a $2 million maximum.

Sources reviewed

  1. 01
    At-Bay Doubles Miscellaneous Professional Liability Appetite

    At-Bay · September 28, 2023 release: final paragraph before Media Contacts · accessed 2026-09-16

  2. 02
    Broker Platform

    At-Bay · How it works: Create a quote, Customize your quote, Bind your policy, Manage renewals; FAQs · accessed 2026-09-16

  3. 03
    Licenses

    At-Bay · Producer introduction; agency and surplus-lines footer naming At-Bay Insurance Services LLC · accessed 2026-09-16

  4. 04
    MPL Insurance: Coverage Highlights & Appetite

    At-Bay · MPL Coverage Highlights list; MPL Appetite paragraph; Send us your submissions; "material on this page is intended for use solely by properly licensed insurance professionals" · accessed 2026-09-23

  5. 05
    Professional Liability – US Direct Errors and Omissions Insurance

    Hiscox Inc. specimen · About this Policy / Coverage for Claims Made Against You; I.A Insuring Agreement; I.B Defense; I.C Settlement; II.A Notice of Claims; II.C Optional Extended Reporting Period; III.A, III.K, III.M, III.R, III.S Exclusions; IV.A–B Limits and Deductible; VI.O Professional Services; VI.U Wrongful Act · accessed 2026-09-16

  6. 06
    Professional liability insurance

    Insurance Information Institute · Opening paragraphs (professional services/advice and E&O name); Claims not covered by general liability; What types of businesses need professional liability insurance?; What’s covered… and what’s not (claims-made versus occurrence, defense and judgments, non-financial/intentional limits, BOP/in-home exclusion) · accessed 2026-09-16

  7. 07
    ProBiz | Professional Liability Coverage

    Markel · Miscellaneous E&O; types of covered professional-service errors; ProBiz target classes and process. · accessed 2026-09-30

  8. 08
    FAQ: Professional liability insurance

    Texas Department of Insurance · What’s professional liability coverage?; What types of damages…; What’s general liability insurance?; Do I need professional liability… if I have general liability…?; Is professional liability insurance required?; Can a client require…?; What’s the difference between occurrence policies and claims-made policies · accessed 2026-09-16

  9. 09
    Get business insurance

    U.S. Small Business Administration · Six common types of business insurance table · accessed 2026-09-16

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