Travelers vs Zurich: Fidelity Bonds

Travelers offers ERISA fidelity coverage for benefit plans and directs buyers to independent agents. Zurich U.S. offers ERISA bonds for single 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 Travelers and Zurich U.S. Fidelity Bonds?

Covered plan loss and handlers

Travelers says its ERISA fidelity insurance covers an employee benefit plan against losses caused by fraud or dishonesty, including theft, embezzlement, or forgery by people who handle plan funds. Zurich describes direct losses of money, securities, or property from employee fraud or dishonesty and may include designated agents or independent contractors in its employee definition. Plan sponsors should compare the named handler definitions and confirm whether administrators or contractors are insured under the selected form. [2] [6]

Quote access and plan structure

Travelers directs buyers to an independent agent and lists ERISA fidelity both among management-liability products and as a bond type. Zurich offers Express for a single straightforward plan and Select for multiple or complex plans, with higher limits and optional coverages. A sponsor can ask its Travelers agent for the bond limit and form, then compare Zurich’s plan tracks and available extensions. Neither high-level product description substitutes for confirming the required amount and current plan schedule. [3] [6]

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

  • Ask Travelers which people handling plan funds are covered and whether the bond is issued through its surety or management-liability route. [3]
  • Ask Zurich which track fits the number of plans and what limit applies to each scheduled plan. [6]

Crime coverage

Travelers

  • role: Travelers lists ERISA fidelity as one of its Management & Professional Liability products, and separately lists ERISA Fidelity among the bond types it provides on its surety bond page. Management & Professional Liability product list and Surety Bonds product list.company-reportedSource ↗Source ↗
  • coverage: Travelers describes ERISA fidelity insurance as covering an employee benefit plan against losses caused by acts of fraud or dishonesty, such as theft, embezzlement or forgery, by the people who handle plan funds. Management & Professional Liability Insurance page, ERISA fidelity insurance entry; exact terms and required minimum bond amounts are set by ERISA and the issued bond.company-reportedSource ↗
  • eligibility: Travelers offers ERISA fidelity coverage as part of a product suite that also covers private companies, public companies, nonprofit organizations and financial institutions, but the reviewed pages do not name specific eligible business sizes or industries for the ERISA fidelity product itself. Management & Professional Liability Insurance page general eligibility statement.not-disclosedSource ↗
  • limits: Neither reviewed page publishes bond amounts, premiums or terms for ERISA fidelity coverage; federal ERISA rules set minimum bonding requirements, but Travelers' specific offer would appear on a quote. Management & Professional Liability and Surety Bonds pages as read on 2026-09-23.not-foundSource ↗Source ↗
  • application: ERISA fidelity coverage is bought through a Travelers independent agent. Surety Bonds page "Find an insurance agent" call to action.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 ↗

Travelers names theft, embezzlement, and forgery as ERISA bond losses; Zurich describes direct-loss protection and possible coverage for agents or contractors.

Sources consulted

  1. 01
    Glossary of Insurance Terms

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

  2. 02
    Management and Professional Liability Insurance

    Travelers · "Select a product" list: ERISA fidelity insurance — "helps cover an employee benefit plan against losses caused by acts of fraud or dishonesty such as theft, embezzlement or forgery" · accessed 2026-09-23

  3. 03
    Surety Bonds

    Travelers · "Surety bonds provided by Travelers" list, including ERISA Fidelity · accessed 2026-09-23

  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

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