Hiscox vs Zurich: Professional Liability / E&O Insurance

Hiscox sells E&O online to eligible small businesses in 49 states and D.C. Zurich U.S. names technology, manufacturing and third-party service providers as target classes, with E&O available in most states through its Pro Plus policy.

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

Hiscox lets eligible small businesses quote and buy professional liability online, with phone advisors and 24/7 claims access. Zurich describes modular Pro Plus E&O and dedicated claims specialists.

What Are the Key Differences Between Hiscox and Zurich U.S. Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance?

Online Purchase and State Access

Hiscox says eligible buyers can quote and buy professional liability online in 49 states and Washington, D.C., excluding Alaska; a specialist broker may help where online sales are unavailable. Zurich describes modular Pro Plus E&O and says admitted coverage is available in most states. Confirm your state and issuing form before relying on either availability statement. [3] [3] [9]

Service After Purchase

Hiscox’s professional-liability FAQ gives current customers a claims phone line open around the clock, while licensed advisors can answer questions during the online buying process. Zurich describes dedicated E&O claims specialists and underwriters who coordinate legal counsel. Ask each provider who receives the first notice and which number to use if a claim arises. [4] [3] [9]

What Should You Confirm in Hiscox and Zurich U.S. Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance Quotes?

  • Ask Hiscox to confirm whether you qualify for online binding in your state and show the limit and deductible on the quote; ask Zurich for the admitted form and available modules. [3] [9]

Areas of coverage

Hiscox

  • role: Hiscox Inc., a licensed insurance intermediary, sells professional liability (errors and omissions) coverage directly online to small businesses as part of its Hiscox NOW admitted small-business catalogue. Company-stated online small-business channel.company-reportedSource ↗Source ↗
  • insurer: Hiscox's appetite guide and About Hiscox US page name Hiscox Insurance Company Inc. (NAIC 10200) as the underwriter of admitted Hiscox NOW professional-liability policies. Admitted small-business professional liability as described in company materials; the exact contracting entity for a particular state or channel should be confirmed on the quote.company-reportedSource ↗Source ↗
  • eligibility: Hiscox says professional liability is licensed for sale in 49 states and Washington, D.C., excluding Alaska, and that if it does not sell the product online in a buyer's state, a specialist broker may be able to help instead. Company-stated jurisdiction for the online small-business catalogue; the appetite guide's technology classes (IT consultants, software development) illustrate typical buyers but do not guarantee acceptance for any one applicant.company-reportedSource ↗Source ↗
  • coverage: Hiscox describes professional liability as a claims-made policy, meaning a claim is covered only if it is made (and typically reported) while the policy is active, rather than an occurrence policy covering incidents regardless of when the claim surfaces. Product FAQ description; exact triggers, retroactive dates, exclusions and wording are set by the issued policy.company-reportedSource ↗
  • limits: The professional-liability pages reviewed do not publish standard limit, retention or deductible amounts; specific figures are shown only on a quote. Public product and FAQ pages as previously reviewed.not-disclosedSource ↗Source ↗
  • application: Hiscox says eligible buyers can quote and buy professional liability online, with licensed advisors available by phone during posted hours for questions during the process. Company-described online application; eligibility and binding conditions require confirmation on the actual application.company-reportedSource ↗
  • claims: A professional-liability FAQ tells current customers that the claims phone line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, separate from the general claims-center hours listed elsewhere on the Hiscox site. Company-described claims-reporting availability for this product's FAQ; does not establish claim outcomes or turnaround time.company-reportedSource ↗

Zurich U.S.

  • coverage: Zurich says E&O can address professional-service negligence, mistakes or failure to deliver promised services, including defense costs, court fees, settlements and judgments. Zurich U.S. brand; exact underwriting company may vary by policy and state; professional errors and omissions; United States. Company-reported product description; actual coverage, underwriting, limits and state availability are governed by issued policy terms.company-reportedSource ↗
  • eligibility: Zurich names technology, manufacturing and third-party service providers among targeted E&O classes. Zurich U.S. brand; exact underwriting company may vary by policy and state; professional errors and omissions; United States. Company-reported product description; actual coverage, underwriting, limits and state availability are governed by issued policy terms.company-reportedSource ↗
  • coverage: Zurich’s Pro Plus is a modular suite of coverages in one policy; admitted E&O coverage is available in most states. Zurich U.S. brand; exact underwriting company may vary by policy and state; professional errors and omissions; United States. Company-reported product description; actual coverage, underwriting, limits and state availability are governed by issued policy terms.company-reportedSource ↗
  • claims: Zurich describes E&O claims specialists and underwriters and says claims are reviewed under policy terms with legal counsel coordination. Zurich U.S. brand; exact underwriting company may vary by policy and state; professional errors and omissions; United States. Company-reported product description; actual coverage, underwriting, limits and state availability are governed by issued policy terms.company-reportedSource ↗

Sources reviewed

  1. 01
    About Hiscox US Insurance

    Hiscox · Hiscox Insurance Company Inc. NAIC 10200 as Chicago, IL domiciled insurer admitted or licensed in all 50 states and D.C.; Hiscox Inc. as general agent · accessed 2026-09-16

  2. 02
    Hiscox US Agent Appetite Guide

    Hiscox · Hiscox NOW admitted GL, PL, cyber and BOP underwritten by Hiscox Insurance Company Inc.; technology classes including IT consultants and software development · accessed 2026-09-16

  3. 03
    Professional Liability Insurance for Small Businesses

    Hiscox · Professional liability/E&O product; licensed in 49 states and Washington, D.C. (Alaska excluded); specialist-broker assistance if not licensed in a state; licensed-advisor hours · accessed 2026-09-16

  4. 04
    What is Professional Liability Insurance?

    Hiscox · Claims-made description; current-customer claim number described as open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week · accessed 2026-09-16

  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
    Get business insurance

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

  9. 09
    Errors and Omissions Insurance – E&O | Zurich Insurance

    Zurich U.S. · Pro Plus coverage, targeted classes, policy structure, claims and underwriting · accessed 2026-09-28

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