Nationwide vs The Hartford: Professional Liability / E&O Insurance

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

Industry Options and Price References

The Hartford names accountants, consultants, interior designers, advertising and graphic-design agencies, technology firms and healthcare professionals among its E&O audiences. It publishes average minimum monthly premiums including $62 for standalone miscellaneous professional liability, $41 for an endorsement, $239 for architects and engineers, $38 for healthcare professionals and $146 for technology E&O. Nationwide describes E&O for service businesses but its overview does not publish product-specific premium references or limits. Buyers can use the Hartford figures to distinguish product categories, then compare actual quotes with the same limits and deductible. [5] [3]

Claims Trigger and Extended Reporting

The Hartford says many professional-liability policies are claims-made with a retroactive date and an extended reporting period commonly 30–60 days, with longer extensions available for added cost; some forms are occurrence-based. Nationwide’s overview describes professional E&O claims but does not state which trigger applies or whether a tail can be purchased. This changes how long after work a claim can be reported, so compare the specific form and extension in the quote. [5] [3]

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

Ask the Hartford which product category and premium basis applies, and confirm the actual limit, deductible and retroactive date. [5]
Ask Nationwide whether its proposed policy is claims-made or occurrence and whether an extended reporting period is available. [3]
Compare defense costs, libel/slander and copyright-infringement wording across the issued forms. [5]

Areas of coverage

Nationwide

role: Nationwide describes offering professional errors omissions for the audience stated on the cited product page. professional errors omissions marketed by nationwide; 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: Professionals and businesses providing services to others as described by Nationwide; exact eligible classes depend on underwriting. professional errors omissions marketed by nationwide; 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 E&O insurance for claims alleging errors or omissions in professional services, as described on Nationwide's product page. Marketing description only; actual coverage, exclusions, conditions, limits, and availability depend on the issued policy and jurisdiction. professional errors omissions marketed by nationwide; 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 directs prospective customers to contact an agent or request a quote. The page does not establish a quote, bind, or coverage-effective timeline. professional errors omissions marketed by nationwide; 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: The cited overview does not set a universal limit or retention for this line. Ask for the proposed policy form, limits, retentions, exclusions, and conditions in the quote. Only the cited marketing page was reviewed for published limit and retention information; no policy-form entitlement is inferred.not-disclosedSource ↗

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 ↗

The Hartford lists professional liability for accountants, consultants, designers, technology and healthcare professionals, with published average minimum monthly premiums for several product types. Nationwide describes E&O for professional services but does not publish comparable pricing in its overview.

Sources reviewed

01
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
02
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
03
Errors and Omissions Insurance
Nationwide · E&O page; professional-services liability and coverage overview. · accessed 2026-09-30
04
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
05
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
06
Get business insurance
U.S. Small Business Administration · Six common types of business insurance table · accessed 2026-09-16