Gallagher vs Zurich: Fidelity Bonds

Gallagher arranges ERISA fidelity bonds through carriers and reviews limits and policy terms. Zurich U.S. offers ERISA bond tracks 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 Gallagher and Zurich U.S. Fidelity Bonds?

Limit analysis and track selection

Gallagher says it uses peer analysis, third-party databases, and an exposure index developed with the Surety Association of America and the American Institute of Accountants to help set fidelity-bond and crime limits. Zurich offers Express for a single straightforward non-union plan, with limits up to $1 million, and Select for multiple or complex plans with higher limits and optional coverages. Gallagher describes how a broker analyzes limits; Zurich describes product tracks and their broad fit. A plan sponsor can use both to establish a compliant amount and form. [1] [5]

Policy wording and claims review

Gallagher says it reviews coverage for appropriate treatment of older incidents and claim triggers that are not too difficult to prove. Zurich describes direct-loss protection for money, securities, or property caused by employee fraud or dishonesty and may include designated agents or contractors in the employee definition. Buyers should compare Zurich’s definitions and trigger language with Gallagher’s proposed carrier wording, particularly for prior incidents and plan administrators. [1] [5]

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

  • Ask Gallagher which benchmarking assumptions set the required amount and how prior acts and claim triggers are worded. [1]
  • Ask Zurich whether the bond includes every person handling plan funds and which track offers the needed limit. [5]

Crime coverage

Gallagher

  • role: Gallagher's Executive and Financial Risk practice places fidelity bond coverage with outside carriers alongside its employee-dishonesty (crime) coverage; it does not underwrite the bond. Group-level executive-and-financial-risk practice page; fidelity bonds are described jointly with crime coverage, not as a fully separate section.company-reportedSource ↗
  • eligibility: Gallagher ties fidelity bond limit-setting to a client's required bond limits under ERISA, indicating this offering is aimed at plan sponsors and fiduciaries needing ERISA fidelity bonding rather than a general commercial audience. Group-level executive-and-financial-risk practice page.company-reportedSource ↗
  • services: Gallagher says its methodology for fidelity bond and crime limits includes peer analysis using third-party databases and an exposure index developed by the Surety Association of America with the American Institute of Accountants. Group-level executive-and-financial-risk practice page.company-reportedSource ↗
  • claims: Gallagher says it reviews coverage to confirm the carrier allows appropriate treatment of older incidents and does not use claims triggers that are too difficult to prove, a review it applies to the same crime-and-fidelity offering. Group-level executive-and-financial-risk practice page; a stated review practice, not a guarantee of claim payment.company-reportedSource ↗
  • insurer: The executive-and-financial-risk page does not name the insurer that would issue a given client's fidelity bond. Checked the group-level executive-and-financial-risk practice page.not-disclosedSource ↗
  • limits: The page does not publish specific fidelity bond limits or premium ranges beyond describing the ERISA-linked methodology used to recommend a limit. Checked the group-level executive-and-financial-risk practice page.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 ↗

Gallagher describes data-driven bond limit analysis; Zurich offers distinct ERISA tracks for single straightforward or complex plans.

Sources consulted

  1. 01
    Executive and Financial Risk Insurance

    Gallagher · Employee Dishonesty (Crime) and Fidelity Bond insurance section · accessed 2026-09-23

  2. 02
    Glossary of Insurance Terms

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

  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

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