---
title: Breaking Down the Difference Between D&O and E&O Insurance
description: D&O and E&O insurance might cover similar claims, but they are in no way interchangeable. Make sure you know the difference and are properly covered on all fronts.
---

[![2012 PLRisk Logo-Feb-28-2023-09-30-45-0928-PM](https://blog.plrisk.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2012%20PLRisk%20Logo-Feb-28-2023-09-30-45-0928-PM.png?width=1650&height=500&name=2012%20PLRisk%20Logo-Feb-28-2023-09-30-45-0928-PM.png "2012 PLRisk Logo-Feb-28-2023-09-30-45-0928-PM")](https://plrisk.com/)

[![PL Risk](https://blog.plrisk.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Pl_Risk_June_2020/images/plrisk-50x140-logo.png?width=300&height=300&name=plrisk-50x140-logo.png "PL Risk")](https://plrisk.com/)

- [HOME](https://plrisk.com/)
- [CUSTOMER CENTER](https://plrisk.com/#) 
    - [Make A Payment](https://plrisk.epaypolicy.com/)
    - [Submit An Application](https://www.plrisk.com/applications/)
    - [Confirmation of Coverage](mailto:info@plrisk.com)
    - [Download Applications](https://plrisk.com/applications)
    - [File a Claim](https://plrisk.com/file-a-claim)
    - [Claim Scenarios](https://plrisk.com/claim-scenarios)
    - [FAQs](https://plrisk.com/faqs)
    - [Industry Tools](https://plrisk.com/industry-tools)
    - [Free Cyber Hotline](https://plrisk.com/free-cyber-hotline)
    - [Get Appointed](https://plrisk.com/for-agents)
- [INDUSTRIES WE SERVE](https://plrisk.com/#) 
    - [Architects & Engineers](https://plrisk.com/architects-engineers/)
    - [Financial Institutions](https://plrisk.com/financial-institutions/)
    - [Healthcare / Medical](https://plrisk.com/healthcare-medical/)
    - [Insurance](https://plrisk.com/insurance/)
    - [Technology](https://plrisk.com/technology/)
    - [Consulting](https://plrisk.com/consulting/)
    - [Legal](https://plrisk.com/legal)
    - [Real Estate](https://plrisk.com/real-estate/)
    - [Media](https://plrisk.com/media)
    - [Miscellaneous Services](https://plrisk.com/miscellaneous-services/)
- [PRODUCTS](https://plrisk.com/#) 
    - [Overview](https://plrisk.com/products)
    - [Errors and Omissions](https://plrisk.com/products/errors-omissions)
    - [Directors and Officers](https://plrisk.com/products/directors-officers/)
    - [Commercial Crime](https://plrisk.com/products/commercial-crime/)
    - [Employment Practices](https://plrisk.com/products/employment-practices/)
    - [Cybersecurity](https://plrisk.com/products/fiduciary/)
    - [Fiduciary](https://plrisk.com/products/cybersecurity/)
- MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS 
    - [Reps and Warranties Sell](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/PLR-Reps-and-Warranties-SellSide-Onesheet.pdf)
    - [Reps and Warranties](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/PLR-Reps-and-Warranties-Onesheet.pdf)
- CANNABIS 
    - [Overview](https://www.plrisk.com/products/cannabis-insurance)
    - [Account Highlights](https://blog.plrisk.com/hubfs/PLR%20-%20Cannabis%20Assets/PLR-CANNABIS-account%20highlights_Onesheet-V2.pdf)
    - [Commercial Property](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-commercial-property/)
    - [Commercial Crime](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-business-insurance-commercial-crime)
    - [Cyber Liability](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PLR-12-CANNABIS-Cyber-Insurance-Onesheet-V8.pdf)
    - [D&O](https://blog.plrisk.com/hubfs/PLR%20-%20Cannabis%20Assets/PLR-CANNABIS-D%26O-Onesheet-V1.pdf)
    - [E&O](https://blog.plrisk.com/hubfs/PLR%20-%20Cannabis%20Assets/PLR-CANNABIS-E%26O-Onesheet-V1.pdf)
    - [EPLI](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PLR-10-CANNABIS-Employment-Practices-Liability-Onesheet-V9.pdf)
    - [General Liability](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PLR-02-CANNABIS-General-Liability-Onesheet-V4-1.pdf)
    - [Product Liability](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PLR-03-CANNABIS-Product-Liability-Onesheet-V2-4.pdf)
    - [Workers’ Comp](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PLR-05-CANNABIS-Workers-Compensation-Onesheet-Reduced.pdf)
- [SELECT](https://www.plrisk.com/products/select-division/)
- [ABOUT](https://plrisk.com/#) 
    - [Our Team](https://plrisk.com/our-team/)
    - [Careers](https://www.plrisk.com/careers/)
    - [Our Charity](https://plrisk.com/helping-hands/)
- NEWSROOM 
    - [Blog](https://blog.plrisk.com)
    - [Newsletters](https://www.plrisk.com/plr-newsletters/)
- QUOTE ONLINE 
    - [Hiscox NOW Small Business Insurance](https://www.hiscox.com/partner-agent/plriskadvisors)
    - [Custom Quote](https://www.hiscox.com/partner-agent/plriskadvisors)

- CUSTOMER  
  CENTER
  
  
  
    - [MAKE A PAYMENT](https://plrisk.epaypolicy.com/)
    - [SUBMIT AN APPLICATION](https://www.plrisk.com/applications/)
    - [CONFIRMATION OF COVERAGE](mailto:info@plrisk.com)
    - [DOWNLOAD APPLICATIONS](https://plrisk.com/applications)
    - [FILE A CLAIM](https://plrisk.com/file-a-claim)
    - [CLAIM SCENARIOS](https://plrisk.com/claim-scenarios)
    - [FAQs](https://plrisk.com/faqs)
    - [INDUSTRY TOOLS](https://plrisk.com/industry-tools)
    - [FREE CYBER HOTLINE](https://plrisk.com/free-cyber-hotline)
    - [GET APPOINTED](https://plrisk.com/for-agents)
- INDUSTRIES  
  WE SERVE
  
  
  
    - [TITLE AGENTS & MORTGAGE BROKERS](https://www.plrisk.com/real-estate/)
    - [REAL ESTATE](https://www.plrisk.com/real-estate/)
    - [LEGAL](https://www.plrisk.com/legal/)
    - [MEDIA](https://www.plrisk.com/media/)
    - [ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS](https://www.plrisk.com/architects-engineers/)
    - [FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS](https://www.plrisk.com/financial-institutions/)
    - [CONSULTING](https://www.plrisk.com/consulting/)
    - [MISC. SERVICES](https://www.plrisk.com/miscellaneous-services/)
    - [HEALTHCARE MEDICAL](https://www.plrisk.com/healthcare-medical/)
    - [INSURANCE](https://www.plrisk.com/insurance/)
    - [TECHNOLOGY](https://www.plrisk.com/technology/)
    - [SPACs](https://www.plrisk.com/spacs/)
- PRODUCTS
  
  
  
    - [PRODUCTS OVERVIEW](https://plrisk.com/products)
    - [Errors & Omissions](https://plrisk.com/products/errors-omissions)
    - [Directors & Officers](https://plrisk.com/products/directors-officers/)
    - [Commercial Crime](https://plrisk.com/products/commercial-crime/)
    - [EPLI](https://plrisk.com/products/employment-practices/)
    - [Fiduciary Liability](https://plrisk.com/products/fiduciary/)
    - [Cybersecurity](https://plrisk.com/products/cybersecurity/)
- [MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PLR-Managing-Insurance-Coverage-eBook-03272023.pdf)
  
  
  
    - [Reps and Warranties](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/PLR-Reps-and-Warranties-Onesheet.pdf)
    - [Reps and Warranties Sell](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/PLR-Reps-and-Warranties-SellSide-Onesheet.pdf)
- [CANNABIS](https://www.plrisk.com/products/cannabis-insurance)
  
  
  
    - [Overview](https://www.plrisk.com/products/cannabis-insurance)
    - [Account Highlights](https://blog.plrisk.com/hubfs/PLR%20-%20Cannabis%20Assets/PLR-CANNABIS-account%20highlights_Onesheet-V2.pdf)
    - [Commercial Crime](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-business-insurance-commercial-crime)
    - [Commercial Property](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-commercial-property/)
    - [Cyber Liability](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-business-insurance-cyber-liability/)
    - [D&O](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-directors-officers-do-liability/)
    - [E&O](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-errors-omissions-eo/)
    - [EPLI](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-employment-practices-liability/)
    - [General Liability](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-general-liability/)
    - [Product Liability](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-product-liability/)
    - [Workers’ Comp](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-business-insurance-workers-compensation/)
- [SELECT](https://www.plrisk.com/products/select-division/)
- ABOUT
  
  
  
    - [Our Team](https://plrisk.com/about-us/)
    - [Our Charity](https://plrisk.com/helping-hands/)
    - [Careers](https://www.plrisk.com/careers/)
- NEWSROOM
  
  
  
    - [BLOG](https://blog.plrisk.com)
    - [NEWSLETTERS](https://www.plrisk.com/plr-newsletters/)
- QUOTE  
  ONLINE
  
  
  
    - [Hiscox NOW Small Business Insurance](https://www.hiscox.com/partner-agent/plriskadvisors)
    - [Custom Quote](https://www.hiscox.com/partner-agent/plriskadvisors)

×

### Get A Quote

# Breaking Down the Difference Between D&O and E&O Insurance

[Mike Smith](https://blog.plrisk.com/author/mike-smith)

 Feb 15, 2018, 4:59:41 PM

Click here to learn more about D&O Insurance

[![Understanding D&O](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5290096/08fcebdb-5071-42ad-8de8-2066341ca8c9.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5290096/08fcebdb-5071-42ad-8de8-2066341ca8c9)

Click here to learn more about E&O Insurance

[![Understanding E&O](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5290096/6b39e242-f921-449d-b162-3201a739ca8b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5290096/6b39e242-f921-449d-b162-3201a739ca8b)

Whether it’s the result of an actively malicious action or an honest mistake, it is possible that every business will at some point have to deal with a lawsuit as a result of its business actions. In order to prevent a claim from causing devastating financial and reputational failure, every business should have the right insurance coverage. While there are two main policies that cover claims of negligence or improper conduct leading to losses—[directors and officers](https://www.plrisk.com/products/directors-officers/) (D&O) and [errors and omissions](https://www.plrisk.com/products/errors-omissions/) (E&O) insurance—they are absolutely not interchangeable with one another, and going without one could leave a business exposed in the event of a claim.

## **Directors & Officers Insurance**

Directors & officers insurance’s coverage is all in the name. D&O insurance specifically provides protection to directors, officers, or other company executives. If the allegations against the company can be traced back to actions of directors, officers, or other members of the upper management, then D&O insurance would be necessary.

These are some of the most common[exclusions](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/common-pitfalls-exclusions-directors-officers-do-insurance-blower/) in D&O policies:

- **Known Circumstances** - A policy will not cover claims arising from negligent acts, errors, omissions, or injuries that occurred before the start date of the policy.
- **Bodily Injury - Many policies do not cover costs and claims made for a bodily injury, though it may not apply in the case of corporate manslaughter or employment practices liability.**

 

## **Errors & Omissions Insurance**

Errors & omissions insurance, much like D&O, provides coverage for claims of malpractice, negligence or other improper operations leading to losses for clients, but this coverage extends to all other types of employees, and covers losses that are not covered under traditional liability insurance. In addition to salaried and hourly employees, subcontractors working on the business’s behalf would also be covered. A subset of professional liability insurance, errors & omissions insurance is generally customized to fit the insurance needs of individual industries.

It’s all in the name: E&O insurance covers losses incurred by errors and omissions. These are some of the most common [exclusions](https://www.techinsurance.com/blog/errors-and-omissions/eo-insurance-policy-exclusions/) in E&O policies:

- Malicious, dishonest, illegal, or criminal acts
- Services provided under the name of a different organization (that is not named in the policy)
- Damages against or on behalf of anyone insured on the policy (such as other employees within the business)
- Bodily harm
- Property damage

 

### **About PL Risk**

In addition to bringing you the latest news from the insurance industry, [PL Risk](https://www.plrisk.com/) provides [Resources for Agents and Brokers](https://www.plrisk.com/for-agents/) nationwide. We’ve recently implemented [Hiscox Now](https://www.plrisk.com/hiscox-now/), which allows agents their own access to Hiscox and instant quoting. To learn more about our operations, contact us today at (855) 403-5982.

## Recent Posts

- [Tracking Cookies Beginning to Run Afoul of Consumer Data Protection Laws](https://blog.plrisk.com/tracking-cookies-beginning-to-run-afoul-of-consumer-data-protection-laws)
- [PLRisk welcomes Jeffery Phi to their growing Wholesale Broker roster](https://blog.plrisk.com/plrisk-welcomes-jeffery-phi-to-their-growing-wholesale-broker-roster)
- [PLRisk Welcomes Michelle Delaney as Wholesale Account Manager](https://blog.plrisk.com/plrisk-welcomes-michelle-delany-as-wholesale-account-manager)
- [PLRisk Spotlights Rachel Coughlin](https://blog.plrisk.com/plrisk-spotlights-rachael-coughlin)
- [PLRisk congratulates Matt Culkin on joining NJYIP Board](https://blog.plrisk.com/plrisk-congratulates-matt-culkin-on-joining-njyip-board)

Search

### Share this post

[![Share on facebook](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528309/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.plrisk.com%2Fblog%2Fbreaking-difference-eo-insurance%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on linkedin](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.plrisk.com%2Fblog%2Fbreaking-difference-eo-insurance%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on twitter](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/x-twitter-color.png?width=24&name=x-twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.plrisk.com%2Fblog%2Fbreaking-difference-eo-insurance%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.plrisk.com%2Fblog%2Fbreaking-difference-eo-insurance%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on email](https://7528311.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528311/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/email-color.png?width=24&name=email-color.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.plrisk.com%2Fblog%2Fbreaking-difference-eo-insurance%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.plrisk.com%2Fblog%2Fbreaking-difference-eo-insurance%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail)

### Subscribe to our blog

[![PLRisk-LogoWhite](https://blog.plrisk.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PLRisk-LogoWhite.png?width=400&height=123&name=PLRisk-LogoWhite.png "PLRisk-LogoWhite")](https://plrisk.com/)

### Stay connected to learn the latest from PLRisk

By clicking submit I agree to the  [Privacy Policy](https://www.plrisk.com/privacy-policy)  and [Terms & Conditions.](https://www.plrisk.com/terms-conditions/)

###### 795 Franklin Avenue, Suite 210 Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417 Tel: (855) 403-5982 Fax: 201-847-9174

- RESOURCES 
    - [DOWNLOAD APPLICATIONS](https://plrisk.com/applications)
    - [FILE A CLAIM](https://plrisk.com/file-a-claim)
    - [CLAIM SCENARIOS](https://plrisk.com/claim-scenarios)
    - [FAQs](https://plrisk.com/faqs)
    - [INDUSTRY TOOLS](https://plrisk.com/industry-tools)
    - [FREE CYBER HOTLINE](https://plrisk.com/free-cyber-hotline)
    - [GET APPOINTED](https://plrisk.com/for-agents)
- PRODUCTS 
    - [PRODUCTS OVERVIEW](https://plrisk.com/products)
    - [ERRORS & OMISSIONS](https://plrisk.com/products/errors-omissions)
    - [DIRECTORS & OFFICERS](https://plrisk.com/products/directors-officers/)
    - [COMMERCIAL CRIME](https://plrisk.com/products/commercial-crime/)
    - [EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES](https://plrisk.com/products/employment-practices/)
    - [FIDUCIARY LIABILITY](https://plrisk.com/products/fiduciary/)
    - [CYBERSECURITY](https://plrisk.com/products/cybersecurity/)
- PROFESSIONS 
    - [TITLE AGENTS & MORTGAGE BROKERS](https://plrisk.com/real-estate/)
    - [REAL ESTATE](https://plrisk.com/real-estate/)
    - [LEGAL](https://plrisk.com/legal)
    - [MEDIA](https://plrisk.com/media)
    - [ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS](https://plrisk.com/architects-engineers/)
    - [FINANCIAL INST.](https://plrisk.com/financial-institutions/)
    - [CONSULTING](https://plrisk.com/consulting/)
    - [MISC. SERVICES](https://plrisk.com/miscellaneous-services/)
    - [HEALTHCARE/MEDICAL](https://plrisk.com/healthcare-medical/)
    - [INSURANCE](https://plrisk.com/insurance/)
    - [TECHNOLOGY](https://plrisk.com/technology/)
- ABOUT 
    - [OUR TEAM](https://www.plrisk.com/about-us/)
    - [BLOG](https://blog.plrisk.com/)
    - [OUR CHARITY](https://plrisk.com/helping-hands/)
    - [CAREERS](https://www.plrisk.com/careers/)
    - [PRIVACY POLICY](https://www.plrisk.com/privacy-policy)
    - [TERMS & CONDITIONS](https://www.plrisk.com/terms-conditions/)
    - [ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT](https://www.plrisk.com/accessibility-statement/)
    - [STATE LICENSES](https://www.plrisk.com/state-licenses/)

Copyright © 2023 PLRisk | All Rights Reserved | [Privacy Policy](https://www.plrisk.com/privacy-policy)

PLRisk Specialty Insurance Agency LLC is a licensed insurance broker legally operating in the state of New Jersey under license number NJ 3002329782 and in California DBA NJ PLRisk Specialty Insurance Agency LLC, License number CA 6009937