Simply Business vs Usi: Professional Liability / E&O Insurance

USI’s AICPA program includes CPA-specific coverage and risk resources; Simply Business offers an online route with eligibility and insurer determined by the quote.

What Are the Key Differences Between Simply Business and USI Insurance Services Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance?

CPA-specific program versus broader quote examples

USI’s AICPA Professional Liability Program is aimed at sole practitioners and regional CPA firms. Simply Business lists consultants, IT professionals, real-estate agents and bookkeepers among E&O examples. A CPA firm should compare the program’s eligibility and terms with any marketplace quote rather than assuming a general professional-liability offer is equivalent. [7] [3]

USI identifies CNA for the AICPA program

USI states that CNA underwrites the AICPA program. Its general business E&O placements do not name an insurer, and Simply Business’s insurer depends on the particular panel quote. Confirm which USI route and which issuer apply to your firm before comparing carrier terms. [7] [4]

The USI program adds CPA-focused resources

USI says enrolled firms receive claims support and access to risk resources such as engagement-letter templates. Simply Business’s E&O materials focus on online quote comparison and possible covered legal costs. If claims guidance or practice tools matter, ask what is included with the precise Simply Business placement. [7] [3]

What Should You Confirm in Simply Business and USI Insurance Services Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance Quotes?

Ask USI whether your firm qualifies for the AICPA program and confirm CNA appears on the proposed policy; request Simply Business’s carrier and form. [7] [4]
Compare covered accounting services, claims support, engagement-letter resources and defense expenses for the actual offers. [7] [3]

Areas of coverage

Simply Business

coverage: The page describes protection for claims tied to professional work and lists attorney fees, court costs, settlements and judgments as costs that may be covered; policy wording controls. Company-published professional-errors-omissions information for U.S. small businesses; availability and actual policy terms depend on the insurer, state and buyer.company-reportedSource ↗
eligibility: Simply Business lists consultants, IT professionals, real-estate agents and bookkeepers among the business examples for which it can help find E&O coverage. The examples do not guarantee eligibility. Company-published professional-errors-omissions information for U.S. small businesses; availability and actual policy terms depend on the insurer, state and buyer.company-reportedSource ↗
application: The company describes an online flow to answer business questions, compare quotes and select a policy. Its Terms say an online quote is not guaranteed and binding requires panel-member approval. Company-published professional-errors-omissions information for U.S. small businesses; availability and actual policy terms depend on the insurer, state and buyer.company-reportedSource ↗Source ↗

USI Insurance Services

role: For CPA firms, USI runs the AICPA Professional Liability Program through its USI Affinity division as the endorsed producer, rather than underwriting the policy itself. USI's general Business Services practice separately brokers errors and omissions/professional liability coverage for other business types. AICPA program page and Business Services practice page.company-reportedSource ↗Source ↗
insurer: USI's own page states that the AICPA Professional Liability Program is "underwritten by CNA," naming the carrier for that specific program. USI's general Business Services E&O placements do not name an insurer. Direct quote from the AICPA program page; CNA underwrites only this named program, not USI's other professional-liability placements.company-reportedSource ↗
eligibility: USI markets the AICPA program to sole practitioners and regional CPA firms. It has offered CPA coverage since 1967 and has been the endorsed AICPA Program provider since 1994. Program page description.company-reportedSource ↗
coverage: USI describes the policy as insuring a CPA and their practice against third-party claims that professional services caused financial harm, providing a defense and paying damages for covered claims arising from high-risk situations tied to new clients, changing business plans, or new laws and regulations. Program page description; actual insuring agreements, exclusions and conditions are set by the issued CNA policy form.company-reportedSource ↗
limits: The AICPA program page does not publish limit, retention or premium figures; it says coverage plans allow a firm to tailor coverage to its risk profile. Page as read on 2026-09-23.not-disclosedSource ↗
services: USI says firms enrolled in the program get supportive claims handling and exclusive access to risk-management resources, including engagement-letter templates, in addition to the coverage itself. Program page description.company-reportedSource ↗
application: USI directs CPA firms seeking a quote or renewal to contact USI Affinity, with a dedicated Affinity_APL@usi.com address for the AICPA program specifically. Contact instructions on the AICPA program page.company-reportedSource ↗

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
Professional Liability Insurance Coverage
Simply Business · Coverage lines 45–100; buyer examples lines 101–158; online quote steps lines 237–260. · accessed 2026-09-29
04
Terms of Service
Simply Business · Dated June 30, 2026; §1 lines 22–28; §8 lines 87–113; §10 lines 143–149; §19 line 211. · accessed 2026-09-29
05
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
06
Get business insurance
U.S. Small Business Administration · Six common types of business insurance table · accessed 2026-09-16
07
Accountants Professional Liability — USI Affinity
USI Insurance Services · Quality Professional Liability Insurance Exclusively for CPA Firms; "The AICPA Professional Liability Program, underwritten by CNA, has been offering coverage to CPAs since 1967 and has been the endorsed provider of the AICPA Program since 1994."; supportive claims handling and exclusive access to extensive risk management resources, including engagement letter templates; Email Affinity_APL@usi.com · accessed 2026-09-23
08
Business Services
USI Insurance Services · USI advises clients...and provides solutions for...Errors & Omissions/Professional Liability... · accessed 2026-09-23
09
USI Specialty Program Solutions
USI Insurance Services · USI Affinity delivers high-quality insurance and financial solutions to members of affinity organizations and targeted industry segments...for professional associations, law firms, alumni and collegiate organizations, travel groups, and insurance administrators. · accessed 2026-09-23