Coverdash vs Zurich: Fidelity Bonds

Coverdash brokers fidelity bonds through outside carriers with a digital quote process. 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

Coverdash describes a digital purchase process; Zurich offers a single-plan Express track and a more flexible Select track for complex plans.

Sources consulted

  1. 01
    Surety Bonds

    Coverdash · Types of Coverage card 04, Fidelity bonds: "Protect clients against loss from employee dishonesty" · accessed 2026-09-23

  2. 02
    Terms And Conditions

    Coverdash · "Coverdash does not provide any underwriting services"; broker/agent of record designation · accessed 2026-09-23

  3. 03
    Glossary of Insurance Terms

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

  4. 04
    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

  5. 05
    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

  6. 06
    ERISA Fidelity Bond | Zurich U.S. Insurance

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

What Are the Key Differences Between Coverdash and Zurich U.S. Fidelity Bonds?

Online purchase and plan options

Coverdash describes a fully digital quote-to-purchase process for its surety products, including fidelity bonds, while acting as a broker that places coverage with a carrier. Zurich offers Express ERISA bonds for one straightforward, non-union plan and Select for multiple or complex plans with higher limits and optional coverage. A buyer seeking a self-serve process has a defined route through Coverdash; plan sponsors with differing plan structures can ask Zurich which track handles each one. [1] [6]

What each record says the bond protects

Coverdash describes fidelity bonds generally as protection against loss from employee dishonesty. Zurich states that its ERISA bond covers direct loss of money, securities, or property from employee fraud or dishonest acts, and may include designated agents or independent contractors in its employee definition. The Zurich record provides a more specific ERISA plan context and worker wording; buyers should verify that any Coverdash quote is the required ERISA bond rather than another surety bond type. [1] [6]

What Should You Confirm in Coverdash and Zurich U.S. Fidelity Bonds Quotes?

  • Ask Coverdash which carrier issues the bond and whether its quote meets the plan’s ERISA bonding requirement. [2]
  • Ask Zurich which plan qualifies for Express or Select and whether agents are included as employees in the bond. [6]

Crime coverage

Coverdash

  • role: Coverdash arranges fidelity bonds as a broker rather than an insurer, placing coverage with a carrier under its standard brokerage terms. General brokerage terms applied to the fidelity-bonds card on the surety-bond page; not specific to any one carrier or state.company-reportedSource ↗Source ↗
  • coverage: Coverdash's surety-bond page describes fidelity bonds in a single line as protecting clients against loss from employee dishonesty; it does not have a dedicated fidelity-bond product page. One catalog card on the surety-bond page, not a full product description. Fidelity bonds are a distinct crime-type coverage rather than a three-party surety guarantee, even though Coverdash lists them on the same page as its surety bonds.company-reportedSource ↗
  • insurer: The surety-bond page does not name the insurer that issues fidelity bonds. Reviewed surety-bond page as of 2026-09-23; the page describes coverage without naming a specific carrier.not-disclosedSource ↗
  • eligibility: The surety-bond page's eligibility description (contractors, licensed trades and businesses bidding on contracts) is written for surety bonds generally and does not separately describe who needs a fidelity bond specifically. Page-level eligibility text is shared across all four bond types on the page; it was not written specifically for employee-dishonesty coverage.not-foundSource ↗
  • limits: The surety-bond page does not publish specific limit or bond-amount figures for fidelity bonds. Reviewed surety-bond page as of 2026-09-23; figures are quote-specific and not shown on the public page.not-disclosedSource ↗
  • application: Coverdash describes a fully digital quote-to-purchase process on its surety-bond page, which includes the fidelity-bond option among its four bond types. Product-page company information and cross-sell section.company-reportedSource ↗

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 ↗

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

Contact Van Ness Partners