Counterpart vs Markel: Commercial Crime Insurance

Counterpart lists employee theft, forgery, funds-transfer and social engineering crime scenarios for small businesses, reached through a wholesale broker; Markel Insurance lists eCrime within Cyber 360 for unauthorized money transfers and fake payment instructions.

Van Ness Partners presents a practical comparison of source materials relevant to financial crime exposures.Research updated 2026-10-01

Markel lists eCrime within Cyber 360’s fraud section; Counterpart’s crime page lists employee, computer, funds-transfer, and social-engineering examples.

What Are the Key Differences Between Counterpart and Markel Insurance Crime Insurance?

Cyber Module or Commercial Crime Product

Markel’s reviewed material places eCrime in the fraud and unauthorized-use section of Cyber 360, describing possible expenses for unauthorized transfers and fake payment instructions; it does not establish a standalone commercial crime policy. Counterpart publishes a named Commercial Crime product with employee theft, forgery, computer fraud, funds-transfer, and social-engineering examples. Buyers should compare the policy line and trigger, not assume the shared transfer-fraud phrase means equivalent protection. [4] [6]

Policyholder Scope and Quote Questions

Markel’s eCrime description applies to Cyber 360 policyholders and says actual availability and terms depend on the quoted policy. Counterpart’s crime page addresses small businesses and lists employee and payment-fraud examples; its help center describes wholesale-broker access. Counterpart’s product-level record does not map an issuer to a particular placement. If you already carry Cyber 360, check whether eCrime is included and how it coordinates with crime; otherwise ask what Counterpart’s proposed form expressly covers. [4] [5] [3] [6]

What Should You Confirm in Counterpart and Markel Insurance Crime Insurance Quotes?

  • For Markel, is eCrime included in your Cyber 360 quote, and what limits and exclusions apply to unauthorized transfers? [6]
  • For Counterpart, identify the issuing carrier and whether its crime form coordinates with any cyber policy. [5] [3]

Crime coverage

Counterpart

  • role: Counterpart says its insurance is offered through Counterpart Insurance Services, Inc., which it describes as a producer and surplus-lines broker; its help center says businesses reach the program through a wholesale broker. Company-published distribution description; it does not identify the insurer for this crime placement.company-reportedSource ↗Source ↗
  • coverage: Counterpart’s crime page lists employee theft, forgery, computer or system fraud, funds-transfer fraud and social-engineering scenarios. These are marketing examples, not a complete insuring agreement; the actual policy defines covered loss and conditions.company-reportedSource ↗
  • eligibility: Counterpart presents its insurance products and risk-management services for small businesses. The general audience statement is not a crime-specific underwriting rule.company-reportedSource ↗Source ↗
  • coverage: Counterpart separately lists funds-transfer fraud and social-engineering as crime examples. The examples do not define authentication conditions, sublimits, exclusions or how a claim would be adjusted.company-reportedSource ↗

Markel Insurance

  • role: Markel lists eCrime within the fraud and unauthorized-use section of Cyber 360; the reviewed source does not establish a standalone commercial crime policy from this page. Cyber policy component only; not a fidelity bond.company-reportedSource ↗
  • coverage: The page says eCrime may cover expenses from fraudulent activity such as unauthorized money transfers and fake payment instructions, subject to policy terms. Cyber 360 marketing description; does not establish a general crime-form grant.company-reportedSource ↗
  • eligibility: Markel describes these resources and coverages for Cyber 360 policyholders; the exact availability and terms require the quoted policy. Policyholder-specific access and policy wording apply.company-reportedSource ↗

Sources consulted

  1. 01
    Commercial Insurance Guide

    California Department of Insurance · Crime · accessed 2026-09-16

  2. 02
    Social Engineering Fraud Insurance

    Chubb · Opening; coverage highlights · accessed 2026-09-16

  3. 03
    How can I get insurance through Counterpart?

    Counterpart Knowledge Center · Retained source: article describes wholesale-broker referral route; prior access 2026-09-28. · accessed 2026-09-28

  4. 04
    Commercial Crime Insurance

    Counterpart, Inc. · Retained provider source: product page lists employee theft, forgery, computer/system fraud, funds-transfer and social-engineering examples; prior access 2026-09-28. Direct reopen failed in this session. · accessed 2026-09-28

  5. 05
    Counterpart | Agentic Insurance™

    Counterpart, Inc. · Retained provider source: footer states insurance products are offered by Counterpart Insurance Services, Inc., described as a licensed producer and surplus-lines broker; product/state availability varies, issuer not mapped by product/state. Prior access 2026-09-29. · accessed 2026-09-29

  6. 06
    Cyber Insurance Coverage

    Markel · Cyber 360 coverage options: media liability; technology professional liability; eCrime; coverages listed within the cyber policy · accessed 2026-09-29

  7. 07
    Crime Terms and Conditions

    The Travelers Companies, Inc. · I.A–G, printed/PDF pages 1–4; III.RR, printed/PDF p.13; V.B.1–2, printed/PDF pp.18–20; Consideration, printed/PDF p.1; III.P p.8; V.A.3 pp.16–17; V.A.4 p.17; V.B.3 p.20; I.A.3 p.1; III.C p.7; III.S pp.8–9; III.II and III.KK p.12; III.QQ p.13; V.A.5 pp.17–18 (printed/PDF pages); IV.J–O, printed/PDF pages 14–15 · accessed 2026-09-16

  8. 08
    Crime Non-Financial Applications and Forms

    Travelers · Opening paragraph; Sample Policy Forms · accessed 2026-09-16

  9. 09
    Commercial Crime Coverage Application

    Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America · I–III pages 1–2; IX–XI pages 3–4; V–VII, printed/PDF pages 2–3 · accessed 2026-09-16

Contact Van Ness Partners to discuss controls, exposures and insurance options.

Contact Van Ness Partners