Deep dive on employment practices liability coverage

1. In 2024, Bold Penguin’s partnership with Berkley Management Protection brought three new products to the Terminal carrier panel: Employment Practices Liability insurance (EPL), Directors and Officers Liability (D&O) coverage, and Crime insurance. This was an exciting addition for us as we are constantly striving to bring more coverage options for our platform users. For those that might not be familiar with these three specialty coverages, can you provide an overview on why they are such an important part of a comprehensive  solution?

Certainly! These products are essential solutions for comprehensive insurance protection:

Employment Practices Liability insurance (EPL)

Employment Practices Liability insurance (EPL) provides coverage for allegations made by employees or third parties claiming discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment, and other employment-related issues. This is crucial for businesses to protect themselves against the financial and reputational damage that can arise from such claims. Additionally, these policies cover legal defense costs, which can be substantial even if the claims are unfounded.

Directors and Officers Liability (D&O) insurance

Directors and Officers Liability insurance (D&O) protects the personal assets of corporate directors and officers in the event they are sued for alleged wrongful acts while managing a company or not-for-profit. This is vital for attracting and retaining talented leaders who might otherwise be deterred by the risk of personal liability. D&O policies cover a variety of claims, including those related to mismanagement, breach of fiduciary duty, and regulatory actions. This comprehensive protection is essential for the stability and continuity of the business. 

Crime insurance

Crime policies protect a business from financial losses arising out of criminal acts, including employee dishonesty, forgery and social engineering losses. This coverage is essential for safeguarding a company’s financial assets. 

2. A big part of your job focuses on the online delivery of insurance products like Employment Practices Liability insurance through various insurtech distribution channels. How do these various distribution channels meet the demands of carriers and agents in order to ultimately help their commercial customers?

Insurtech channels do play a crucial role in meeting the demands of our customers in today’s insurance environment. Here is how these channels achieve this:

Speed and efficiency

Insurtech platforms streamline the insurance process, making it faster and more efficient. This allows agents to quickly obtain and bind quotes, significantly reducing the time it takes to serve customers while also providing multiple coverage options and choices like Employment Practices Liability Insurance and the others mentioned above.

Accessibility and convenience

Online distribution channels make insurance products more accessible to a wider audience. Both insurance agents and commercial customers can easily compare policies, get quotes, and bind online at their convenience, enhancing the overall customer experience.

Data-driven insights

These platforms leverage data analytics to provide valuable insights to carriers and agents. This helps with better risk assessment, pricing strategies, and coverage recommendations, ultimately leading to more informed decisions and improved customer satisfaction.

Cost-effectiveness

Online distribution channels reduce the overhead costs associated with traditional insurance processes. These cost savings can be passed on to commercial customers in the form of more competitive pricing, making insurance more affordable.

3. What piece of advice would you give an agent who wants to focus solely on business insurance coverage for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), not-for-profit organizations, and professional service providers?

The insurance industry is constantly evolving, with new products, regulations, and technologies emerging at an ever-increasing pace. Stay informed about the latest trends and developments in business insurance to provide the best advice and solutions to your clients. Utilize insurtech solutions to streamline your processes and offer more efficient service so you have the capacity to find solutions for the next client.  

Bonus question: We see on your LinkedIn profile that you have spent a considerable amount of time volunteering with various organizations like RefugeeOne. You did this all while continually progressing in your career. Why did you manage to keep “giving back” a priority?

Volunteering with organizations like RefugeeOne has been incredibly fulfilling and has always been a priority for me. I feel truly fortunate to be invited into people’s homes during times of significant change and vulnerability. The hospitality shared with me has been heartwarming, and I’ve had the privilege of learning a lot about Afghan culture. I’ve enjoyed many home-cooked meals with them while tutoring English.