At Bay vs The Hartford: Professional Liability / E&O Insurance

The Hartford publishes average minimum monthly premiums, from $38 to $239 depending on the product, for accountants, consultants and technology firms. At-Bay publishes a limit: miscellaneous professional liability up to $5 million, aimed at licensed insurance professionals.

Kearny Risk organizes these comparisons for firms whose advice, content or technology creates professional exposures.Research updated 2026-09-25

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 A September 2023 press release named United Specialty Company in connection with MPL, but that historical reference does not establish the current issuing insurer for a new MPL quote.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 ↗

The Hartford

  • role: The Hartford's professional liability insurance, also called errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, protects businesses when they make mistakes in the professional services provided to clients, including claims that turn out to be baseless. Professional liability product page as read 2026-09-23.company-reportedSource ↗
  • coverage: The Hartford says the policy can cover claims of negligence, misrepresentation, inaccurate advice, personal injury (libel/slander) and copyright infringement, plus defense costs. Many of its professional liability policies are written on a claims-made basis with a retroactive date and an extended reporting period (typically 30-60 days, extendable to a year or more for an added cost), though some are written on an occurrence basis. Professional liability product page as read 2026-09-23. General coverage and policy-form description; the issued policy controls.company-reportedSource ↗
  • eligibility: The Hartford targets professional liability at businesses that sign contracts requiring coverage, offer professional services directly to customers, or regularly give advice to clients, and lists industries it covers: accountants, consultants, interior designers, advertising agencies, graphic designers, technology professionals and healthcare professionals. Professional liability product page as read 2026-09-23.company-reportedSource ↗
  • limits: The Hartford publishes average minimum monthly premiums by product: Misc. Professional Liability Standalone $62, Misc. Professional Liability Endorsement $41, Architects and Engineers Professional Liability $239, Healthcare Professionals Professional Liability $38, and Errors & Omissions Insurance for Technology Companies $146. The page does not publish standard coverage limits or retentions; cost and limits are set at quote. Company-reported pricing as of 2026-09-23 (page last updated by The Hartford May 4, 2026); premiums are not coverage limits.company-reportedSource ↗

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

Compare Starting Prices by Profession

The Hartford publishes minimum monthly premiums for five E&O products, from $38 for healthcare professionals to $239 for architects and engineers. At-Bay publishes a limit ceiling of up to $5 million instead of a price. The Hartford’s figures provide a starting budget, not your quote; compare actual prices at the same limits. [8] [4]

Claims-Made or Occurrence

The Hartford says many of its professional-liability policies are claims-made with a retroactive date and extended reporting period, while some are occurrence-based. At-Bay describes its MPL as claims-made-and-reported. Your prior work and the cost to report claims after cancellation can make this distinction material. [8] [4]

Get the Quote-Specific Terms

The Hartford sets limits and retentions at quote time. At-Bay’s page gives a ceiling but does not name the insurer for a new policy. Request actual limits, retentions, premium and issuing insurer from both. [8] [4]

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

  • Ask The Hartford which product fits your profession and the actual premium, limit and retention. [8]
  • Ask At-Bay which insurer will issue the policy and whether state restrictions apply to the $5 million ceiling. [4]
  • Confirm whether The Hartford’s quote is claims-made or occurrence and the tail coverage cost. [8]
  • Compare quote terms at equivalent limits and retentions. [8] [4]

The Hartford publishes profession-specific minimum E&O premiums and describes claims-made and occurrence forms; At-Bay publishes a $5 million MPL ceiling without a price.

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
    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

  8. 08
    Professional Liability Insurance Coverage

    The Hartford · What Is Professional Liability Insurance Coverage?; What Does Professional Liability Insurance Cover?; Who Needs Professional Liability Insurance Coverage?; How Much Does Professional Liability Insurance Cost?; How Does Professional Liability Insurance Work? (claims-made vs. occurrence) · accessed 2026-09-23

  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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