Baldwin vs Zurich: Fidelity Bonds

The Baldwin Group lists commercial fidelity options for professional-services clients. Zurich U.S. offers ERISA fidelity options for simple or complex plans, with Express limits up to $1 million and higher Select limits.

Van Ness Partners presents a practical comparison of source materials relevant to financial crime exposures.Research updated 2026-09-30

What Are the Key Differences Between The Baldwin Group and Zurich U.S. Fidelity Bonds?

Single or complex plans

Zurich offers Express for a single non-union plan with straightforward needs and Select for multiple or complex plans with higher limits and optional coverages. Baldwin lists commercial crime/fidelity-bond options for professional-services clients but does not publish plan-based eligibility. Ask Baldwin whether its markets can match Zurich’s distinction for your plan structure. [5] [2]

Covered loss and limit

Zurich says its ERISA bond covers direct loss of money, securities or property from employee fraud or dishonest acts, with possible inclusion of designated agents and contractors; Express offers up to $1 million. Baldwin’s reviewed record does not state covered parties or bond amounts. Confirm the plan’s required amount and whether outside administrators are included under either proposal. [5] [2]

What Should You Confirm in The Baldwin Group and Zurich U.S. Fidelity Bonds Quotes?

  • Does Zurich Express or Select fit your plan and required bond amount? Would Baldwin’s form include designated agents, contractors and direct losses to plan property?

Zurich describes ERISA coverage for direct loss from employee dishonesty and identifies Express and Select paths; The Baldwin Group’s public description names commercial crime/fidelity without specifying an ERISA product.

Sources consulted

  1. 01
    Glossary of Insurance Terms

    National Association of Insurance Commissioners · Fidelity; Surety Bond · accessed 2026-09-16

  2. 02
    Professional Liability Insurance & Services

    The Baldwin Group · Professional-services customer population lines 35–64; coverage snapshot lines 68–84 lists property, general/professional liability, cyber, workers’ compensation, D&O, fiduciary, crime/fidelity bond, EPL, and IP liability; Employee benefits lines 93–95; accessed 2026-09-29. · accessed 2026-09-30

  3. 03
    Crime Terms and Conditions

    Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America · I.A.1–3 p.1; III.S pp.8–9; V.B.1–2 pp.18–20; CRI consideration p.1; III.P p.8; V.A.3 pp.16–17; V.A.4 p.17; V.B.3 p.20; IV.L p.15 · accessed 2026-09-16

  4. 04
    Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2008-04: Guidance Regarding ERISA Fidelity Bonding Requirements

    U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration · Q1–Q3 pp.2–3; Q2 pp.2–3 · accessed 2026-09-16

  5. 05
    ERISA Fidelity Bond | Zurich U.S. Insurance

    Zurich U.S. · ERISA Fidelity Bond options, limits, eligibility, insurer, underwriting conditions · accessed 2026-09-28

Crime coverage

The Baldwin Group

  • role: The source describes The Baldwin Group’s brokerage or advisory role for Commercial Fidelity Bond. It does not identify Baldwin as the risk-bearing insurer for a particular placement. The cited company page describes its brokerage/advisory role and does not name the issuer for a buyer-specific placement.company-reportedSource ↗
  • eligibility: Baldwin lists professional-services firms among the commercial sectors for which it can arrange crime/fidelity-bond options. The page does not establish a bond applicant’s eligibility or identify a surety. This is the audience or client context named on Baldwin’s page, not an underwriting decision or guarantee of product availability.company-reportedSource ↗
  • coverage: Baldwin lists a commercial crime/fidelity bond as an option for professional-services clients. It does not describe a specific bond form, protected obligee, covered employee conduct or bond amount. The statement reports Baldwin’s marketed coverage or advisory description only. No individual quote, binder, policy form, schedule or endorsement was reviewed; policy entitlement and terms remain unknown.company-reportedSource ↗
  • services: Baldwin describes market navigation and tailored risk and insurance advice for accountants, architects, engineers, financial advisers, lawyers, consultants and surveyors. These are company-described brokerage and risk-advisory services; account-specific service commitments and third-party terms are not established.company-reportedSource ↗
  • limits: The reviewed source does not state a buyer-specific limit, retention, deductible or coverage schedule. Confirm the quote and issued policy or bond. No buyer quote, binder, policy or bond form was available in the reviewed public sources.not-disclosedSource ↗

Zurich U.S.

  • eligibility: Zurich offers Express ERISA bonds for a single non-union plan with straightforward needs (fraud/dishonesty limits up to $1 million) and Select for multiple or complex plans with higher limits and optional coverages. Zurich American Insurance Company (ZAIC) is named as underwriter.; ERISA fidelity bonds; United States. Available for approved states; quoted limit and specific coverages depend on qualification.company-reportedSource ↗
  • coverage: Zurich says its ERISA fidelity bond covers direct loss of money, securities or property caused by employee fraud or dishonest acts, and may include designated agents/independent contractors in its employee definition. Zurich American Insurance Company (ZAIC) is named as underwriter.; ERISA fidelity bonds; United States. Subject to definitions in the issued bond.company-reportedSource ↗
  • limits: The Express option offers fraud/dishonesty limits up to $1 million; Zurich says Select provides higher limits and added coverage flexibility for complex or multiple plans. Zurich American Insurance Company (ZAIC) is named as underwriter.; ERISA fidelity bonds; United States. No numerical Select maximum appears in the opened page.company-reportedSource ↗

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