GeneralAverage

Counterpart vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers: How Do They Compare for Business Insurance?

Counterpart describes quote entry whose binding route remains unclear; Heffernan Insurance Brokers describes quote entry whose binding route remains unclear. Compare their documented roles and service routes, then confirm the insurer and terms for your quote.

An Overview of Counterpart and Heffernan Insurance Brokers

Counterpart and Heffernan Insurance Brokers describe different quote routes: quote entry whose binding route remains unclear and quote entry whose binding route remains unclear. This comparison helps you match the documented process and business focus to the risk you are placing; it does not determine eligibility or policy terms. 6 29

What Stands Out About Counterpart and Heffernan Insurance Brokers?

Counterpart at a Glance

  • Counterpart lists private-company and nonprofit D&O, employment practices, fiduciary, crime, professional and lawyers liability, among other lines. 1,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17Company-reported. Current site marketing catalogue checked September 29, 2026. Marketing membership is separate from acceptance of a three-claim line-comparison offering.
  • Counterpart’s dashboard shows broker submission statuses from in progress through underwriting review and quote. 7Company-reported. Company-described broker workflow in a July 2025 article; not independently tested.

Heffernan Insurance Brokers at a Glance

  • Heffernan’s technology team targets mid- and late-stage firms, including venture-funded and pre-IPO companies. 18,24,25,19Company-reported. Current official positioning. Not a minimum-size, funding-stage, or eligibility determination for any applicant.
  • Heffernan offers claims consulting, including help coordinating workers’ compensation carriers and medical triage. 27,33Company-reported. Company descriptions of advocacy and a specialty cargo claims unit. Speed, “$1 billion managed,” and “up to 75% faster” figures are not adopted as verified performance.

Counterpart vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Coverage Lines Compared

CoverageCounterpartHeffernan Insurance Brokers
Builders riskNot listedListed 32Heffernan arranges builders risk.
Business owner’s policyNot listedListed 25Heffernan arranges business owner’s policies for small businesses.
Cargo and transitNot listedListed 33,34Heffernan arranges marine cargo insurance for freight, import and export businesses.
Commercial autoNot listedListed 23Heffernan arranges commercial auto insurance.
Commercial propertyNot listedListed 23Heffernan arranges commercial property insurance.
CrimeListed 13Named Commercial Crime product; confirm agreements, controls, limits and exclusions in the policy.Listed 36Heffernan arranges crime insurance.
Cyber liabilityNot listedListed 23,26,25Heffernan arranges cyber insurance.
Directors and officersListed 9,10Distinct private-company and nonprofit D&O product pages; class and insurer vary by placement.Listed 23Heffernan arranges directors and officers liability.
Employee health and benefitsNot listedListed 28Heffernan advises employers on group health, dental and vision benefits.
Employment practices liabilityListed 11Named Employment Practices Liability product; examples and policy terms govern.Listed 23Heffernan arranges employment practices liability.
Fidelity bondsNot listedListed 36Heffernan arranges employee dishonesty bonds.
Fiduciary liabilityListed 12Named Fiduciary Liability product for benefit-plan exposures; law and policy terms govern.Listed 23Heffernan arranges fiduciary liability.
General liabilityListed 14,17GL is described as a companion/package component with miscellaneous professional and lawyers liability; this does not establish broad standalone CGL.Listed 23,25Heffernan arranges general liability insurance.
Hired and non-owned autoNot listedListed 36Heffernan arranges hired and non-owned auto liability.
Kidnap and ransomNot listedListed 23Heffernan arranges kidnap and ransom insurance.
Last-mile deliveryNot listedListed 34Heffernan arranges insurance for final-mile delivery businesses.
Management liabilityNot listedListed 34Heffernan arranges management liability insurance.
Medical malpracticeListed 15Allied healthcare liability for named classes; not universal conventional malpractice.Listed 35Heffernan arranges medical malpractice insurance.
Professional errors and omissions (E&O)Listed 14,16,15,17Several separately scoped professional-liability programs; do not generalize terms across professions.Listed 25Heffernan arranges professional errors and omissions insurance for small businesses.
Representations and warrantiesNot listedListed 37Heffernan arranges representations and warranties insurance.
Surety bondsNot listedListed 33,30Heffernan arranges surety bonds, including through a linked online bond portal.
TruckingNot listedListed 34Heffernan arranges insurance for trucking and logistics businesses.
Umbrella and excess liabilityNot listedListed 34Heffernan arranges excess and umbrella insurance.
Workers’ compensationNot listedListed 23,25Heffernan arranges workers’ compensation insurance.

A listing may be arranged through an insurer or partner. “Not listed” means this catalogue has no separate offering recorded; ask the provider whether it can quote the coverage and request the policy terms.

Counterpart and Heffernan Insurance Brokers Coverage, Line by Line

Open what Counterpart and Heffernan Insurance Brokers each document for one coverage line.

Counterpart and Heffernan Insurance Brokers Reliability Scores

Each score uses the rubric for that provider’s documented role. Providers with more than one role may have a score for each.

Counterpart and Heffernan Insurance Brokers Review Scores for 2026

These averages can combine ratings for different products, locations, and customer groups, including approximate BBB grade conversions. Read each review for the sources, scope, and calculation.

Counterpart Review Score

-/ 10

Review Score

No reviews found

We found no independent customer rating of Counterpart, so it has no Review Score. Its Trustpilot page shows no reviews, and BBB has no matching business.

Read Counterpart reviews

Heffernan Insurance Brokers Review Score

5.2/ 10

Review Score

1 rated source

Heffernan’s available review sample is small and local, with a low Google rating for one office. Check the team that would actually serve your business.

Read Heffernan Insurance Brokers reviews

Key Differences Between Counterpart and Heffernan Insurance Brokers

Business Fit and Roles

Counterpart says its U.S. products are offered by its wholly owned subsidiary, Counterpart Insurance Services, Inc., which it identifies as a licensed producer and surplus-lines broker. The company says the issuing carrier is responsible for policy obligations. 3Company-reported. Provider-published U.S. distribution disclosure; this does not rule out an additional delegated program role.

Heffernan is a broker that shops insurers, presents options and arranges coverage; the policy’s insurer, not Heffernan, issues it and handles covered claims. 23,26,22,18Company-reported. Company-described broking role. Do not infer underwriting authority for all products from the marine-cargo program’s in-house authority language.

The buyer starting points differ. Counterpart's published material says: Counterpart describes management and professional liability products for small businesses and presents both brokers and small businesses as audiences. 1 Heffernan Insurance Brokers's published material says: Technology companies in mid-to-late stages, including venture-funded and pre-IPO firms, can work with Heffernan’s specialty practice; its small-business team serves sole proprietors through fast-growing firms. 18 Use those descriptions to decide whose underwriting conversation to start; neither one establishes eligibility for your business.

The distinction matters when you need to know who receives the submission, which licensed intermediary can place the risk, and whose name appears as the insurer. Ask both providers to identify the producer, any program or managing entity, and the legal policy issuer for the exact quote; brand-level descriptions do not assign those roles to every policy. 3 23

Getting a Quote

A February 2025 Counterpart help article describes a wholesale-broker referral route. Its current homepage also shows “Quote Online,” but we couldn’t confirm whether the current path is broker-assisted or lets a buyer quote, purchase or bind directly. 6,1,5Conflicting sources. Older dated directions conflict with or leave an ambiguity beside a current digital quote CTA; no form or transaction was tested.

You can start with an inquiry form asking for contact details, insurance needs and an operations description; the form was not submitted, so quote results and binding steps were not established. 29Verified. Chrome inspection of the unsubmitted Contact Form 7 on heffins.com/contact-us/. No fields completed and no submission. Downstream underwriting and post-submission behavior not tested. The wording was checked against the stored inspection record on 24 September 2026; the website was not revisited.

The published application descriptions do not establish that your business can complete a quote or bind online. Before comparing convenience, confirm who submits the application, whether an appointed producer is required, what information underwriting needs, and which signed documents or conditions must be satisfied before coverage starts. 6 29

Service After Binding

Counterpart says brokers can renew professional-liability accounts in a few clicks and can speak with profession-specialized underwriters. This is not a measured renewal time or a promise of automatic, guaranteed or direct insured renewal. 8Company-reported. Company-described professional-liability broker service.

Heffernan says clients receive claims, loss-control, HR and risk-management support, with digital access to documents and certificates; confirm which tools and services your engagement includes. 23,40,27Company-reported. Official feature descriptions only; no authenticated client account or measured service levels.

Compare the named post-bind contact for certificates, policy changes, renewal questions and claim reporting. A digital account or claim-notice route can help with administration, but it does not decide coverage or establish a claim outcome; get the applicable service contacts and notice deadlines with the proposed policy. 8 23

What Should You Confirm in Counterpart and Heffernan Insurance Brokers Quotes?

  • Which legal insurer will appear on the declarations, and which licensed producer or intermediary is responsible for placing this specific product? 3 23

  • Does the application route require an appointed broker, a broker-submitted form, or a direct business-owner application, and what event makes coverage effective? 6 29

  • For each line you need, what limits, retentions, exclusions, defense terms and endorsements appear in the proposed form, and which service contact handles renewals, changes and claim notices? 8 23

Counterpart vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Services Compared

What each provider documents about the services you may need

CriteriaCounterpartHeffernan Insurance Brokers
Business role

Counterpart says its U.S. products are offered by its wholly owned subsidiary, Counterpart Insurance Services, Inc., which it identifies as a licensed producer and surplus-lines broker. The company says the issuing carrier is responsible for policy obligations. 3Company-reported. Provider-published U.S. distribution disclosure; this does not rule out an additional delegated program role.

Heffernan is a broker that shops insurers, presents options and arranges coverage; the policy’s insurer, not Heffernan, issues it and handles covered claims. 23,26,22,18Company-reported. Company-described broking role. Do not infer underwriting authority for all products from the marine-cargo program’s in-house authority language.

Confirm the exact producer on your agreement and policy: Heffernan’s pages use that business name and display California license 0564249 but no longer corporate suffix. 18,41,19Company-reported. Brand and license-number display only. Not independent license verification or a complete legal-entity chart.

Heffernan describes itself as employee-owned and independent since 1988; a 2019 investor release described a minority investment, but current ownership percentages are not public. 18,19,42Company-reported. Company and investor announcements. Not a current cap-table verification.

If you need California technology insurance, verify which related Heffernan entity will serve as producer; its network, London, and benefits entities do not identify the entity for your policy. 38,39,28,20Company-reported. Official related-entity descriptions. Costero’s FCA status and Heffernan’s exact current ownership of Costero were not independently verified.

Application process

A February 2025 Counterpart help article describes a wholesale-broker referral route. Its current homepage also shows “Quote Online,” but we couldn’t confirm whether the current path is broker-assisted or lets a buyer quote, purchase or bind directly. 6,1,5Conflicting sources. Older dated directions conflict with or leave an ambiguity beside a current digital quote CTA; no form or transaction was tested.

Counterpart says its dashboard shows broker-submission statuses from in progress through underwriting review and quote; its article says binding requires a signed application and any required subjectivities. 7Company-reported. Company-described broker workflow in a July 2025 article; not independently tested.

You can start with an inquiry form asking for contact details, insurance needs and an operations description; the form was not submitted, so quote results and binding steps were not established. 29Verified. Chrome inspection of the unsubmitted Contact Form 7 on heffins.com/contact-us/. No fields completed and no submission. Downstream underwriting and post-submission behavior not tested. The wording was checked against the stored inspection record on 24 September 2026; the website was not revisited.

Technology buyers work with a specialist broker who gathers insurer quotes and helps choose coverage; Heffernan does not promise a universal quote or binding time for growth-stage programs. Quick Insure is a separate path for selected personal and short-term business products. 24,26,30,29Company-reported. Service descriptions. Technology-page FAQ “how do I get” language is educational process copy, not a measured SLA.

Servicing and renewals

Counterpart says brokers can renew professional-liability accounts in a few clicks and can speak with profession-specialized underwriters. This is not a measured renewal time or a promise of automatic, guaranteed or direct insured renewal. 8Company-reported. Company-described professional-liability broker service.

Heffernan says clients receive claims, loss-control, HR and risk-management support, with digital access to documents and certificates; confirm which tools and services your engagement includes. 23,40,27Company-reported. Official feature descriptions only; no authenticated client account or measured service levels.

Sources for Counterpart vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers

Counterpart Official Website

  1. Counterpart | Agentic Insurance™. Counterpart, Inc.; Current homepage: Quote Online CTA; brokers/small-business audiences; product list; performance claims; legal/footer qualifications, rendered lines 2–52, 55–70, 98–100, 282–287. Accessed 2026-09-29.
  2. About Counterpart. Counterpart, Inc.; Carrier disclosure and Our Story; underwriters named at line 13; company focus lines 22–36. Financial-strength note says ratings are as of 2024-02-26. Accessed 2026-09-29.
  3. Licenses & Carriers. Counterpart Insurance Services, Inc.; Provider-published entity/license disclosure, carrier table, policy obligation and compensation disclosure. Source snapshot 2026-09-28. No product/state issuer map. Accessed 2026-09-28.
  4. Counterpart press articles. Counterpart press site; May 19, 2026 Series C item describes a future first-time push to retain risk through Counterpart Insurance Company; July 14, 2026 item announces excess coverage across product lines; Sep 1, 2026 item announces Lawyers Professional Liability. Accessed 2026-09-29.
  5. Counterpart application destination. Counterpart; Reached from current homepage Quote Online CTA; the page requires JavaScript and the quote app did not display. No form/account/quote/purchase/bind flow tested. Accessed 2026-09-29.
  6. How can I get insurance through Counterpart? Counterpart Knowledge Center; Purchase route lines 17–22; article dated Feb 6, 2025; wholesale referral instructions. Accessed 2026-09-28.
  7. What is my application status? Counterpart Knowledge Center; Dashboard statuses lines 17–26; article dated July 16, 2025; broker submission and signature/subjectivity requirements. Accessed 2026-09-28.
  8. Counterpart Professional Liability. Counterpart, Inc.; Broker renewals and profession-specialized underwriters, lines 72–81. Accessed 2026-09-28.
  9. Private Directors & Officers Liability Insurance. Counterpart, Inc.; Who we cover; coverage; example limits and retentions; capacity. Accessed 2026-09-28.
  10. Not-for-Profit Directors & Officers Insurance. Counterpart, Inc.; Who we cover; coverage; underwriting partners. Accessed 2026-09-28.
  11. Employment Practices Liability Insurance. Counterpart, Inc.; Eligibility; listed allegations; illustrative limits and retentions; examples. Accessed 2026-09-28.
  12. Fiduciary Liability Insurance. Counterpart, Inc.; Plan and employer eligibility; ERISA and plan administration; examples and illustrative limits. Accessed 2026-09-28.
  13. Commercial Crime Insurance. Counterpart, Inc.; Employee theft, forgery, computer/system fraud, funds-transfer and social-engineering scenarios; examples. Accessed 2026-09-28.
  14. Professional & General Liability. Counterpart, Inc.; Re-opened Sep 29: lines 4–8 MPL available alone or packaged with GL; lines 38–207 professions/examples; 208–245 industries, state availability, coverage descriptions; 251–283 services. Company marketing, not binding terms. Accessed 2026-09-29.
  15. Allied Medical & Healthcare Liability. Counterpart, Inc.; Named allied health classes, combined coverage/enhancements, limits/examples; Sep 28 source inspection. Not universal malpractice or standalone CGL. Accessed 2026-09-28.
  16. Architects, Engineers, & Contractors Liability. Counterpart, Inc.; A&E/contractor classes, services, example limits and enhancements; Sep 28 source inspection. Accessed 2026-09-28.
  17. Lawyers Professional Liability Insurance. Counterpart, Inc.; Re-opened Sep 29: rendered lines 4–8 product, 27–29 class, 236–248 company-stated U.S. reach, 250–276 services, modular limits, tech/media features and GL alongside professional coverage. Does not establish separate media/tech E&O/GL. Accessed 2026-09-29.

Heffernan Insurance Brokers Official Website

  1. Heffernan Insurance Brokers. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; What we offer; Independent since 1988; Built for what’s next; footer copyright and License #0564249; Quick Insure; Get a quote; Propeller bond-portal disclaimer. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  2. Our Story. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Headquartered in Walnut Creek; nationwide presence; founded 1988; employee owned; niche practices including technology. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  3. Our Locations. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Nationwide coverage heading; Walnut Creek corporate headquarters; Bay Area and other California offices; Pacific Northwest, Mountain West, Northeast, Southeast, Honolulu; London Costero listing; footer License #0564249. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  4. Walnut Creek. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Corporate headquarters; founded 1988 in Walnut Creek. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  5. Privacy Statement. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Collection for professional services; disclosure to non-affiliated third parties to solicit quotations from insurance carriers; website content developed in the United States and intended for U.S. users except where otherwise specified. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  6. Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Forward-Thinking Business Insurance: basic coverages (general liability, commercial property and auto, workers’ compensation); corporate and executive protection (EPL, D&O, fiduciary responsibility, cyber, kidnap and ransom); alternative risk capabilities; claims, loss control and risk-management services; industry practice links including Technology and Claims Advocacy. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  7. Technology Company Insurance. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Pre-IPO and venture-funded heading; mid to late stage specialization; global expansion copy; self-insurance strategies; Key Markets list; Why Heffernan broker history; Joseph Talmadge practice leader; FAQ. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  8. Small Business Insurance. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Tailor-Made Insurance for Small Businesses: sole proprietors to fast-growing companies; types of coverage we can provide (GL, WC, E&O, BOP, cyber); industry list including Technology. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  9. Cyber Security Insurance. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Make Cyber Liability Insurance Part of Your Cyber Risk Management Plan: cyber risk team determines exposure, shops the market, presents options and guides coverage selection; FAQ. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  10. Claims Advocacy. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Full-service claims consulting; workers’ compensation strategy and carrier liaison; medical triage; general liability, auto and property advocacy; vendor compliance tools. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  11. Health Insurance services. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Heffernan Benefit Advisors; Health Insurance / Let us help you find the ideal program: large and small group employee benefits, group dental, group vision, medical, life and disability, voluntary benefits, Medicare; Administration and Advocacy. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  12. Contact Us. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Contact form fields: First Name, Last Name, Email, Phone, Insurance Needed, Description of Operations; Select Need A Quote / Other / Would like to speak with someone; Submit. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  13. Quick Insure. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Fast quotes for personal and business insurance; Business Insurance tiles including Short Term General Liability, Surety, Special Event Insurance, Peer-to-Peer Car Rental; linked Propeller bond portal and third-party bond-provider notice; Trusted Providers copy. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  14. Short-Term General Liability. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Partnership with Thimble Insurance Services for on-demand general liability; eligibility, pricing and coverage may vary by state; non-binding indication disclaimer. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  15. Construction & Contractor Liability Insurance. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Protect Your Construction Projects with Builders Risk Insurance: customized builders risk coverage; contractor sectors served; construction-broker contact route; FAQ. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  16. Marine Cargo. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Transportation Insurance Programs for Freight Forwarders and Logistics Companies; Coverage Options: Marine Cargo, E&O and Surety Bonds; Specialty Programs; in-house underwriting authority; exclusive access to major insurance carriers; dedicated claims division with settlement authority. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  17. Transportation Insurance. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Our transportation subsectors include (trucking and final mile delivery); We offer the following exclusive and sponsored products (auto liability, motor truck cargo, umbrella, workers’ compensation, cyber and management liability); appointed with top transportation carriers. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  18. Healthcare Insurance for Health Care Services. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Healthcare Services: Medical Malpractice (Med Mal); commercial-insurance solutions for physician groups, clinics, hospitals and other health care businesses; relationships with the nation’s top insurance carriers; captives and self-insurance options. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  19. Home Care Business Insurance. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; We offer comprehensive coverage for: workers’ compensation, general and professional liability, EPL, owned auto, Non-owned and Hired Auto, Crime–Third Party Theft, Employee Dishonesty Bond, cyber, medical billing E&O and property; home-care, home-health and hospice program audience. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  20. Private Equity and M&A. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; HIB Private Equity and M&A Practice (private-equity firms and strategic investors); Representation & Warranty (RWI) Insurance; Transactional Risk Mitigation list including contingent, environmental, tax and litigation buyout. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  21. Heffernan Network Insurance Brokers. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Formerly OLI Insurance Services; wholly owned subsidiary; agency acquisition and perpetuation; exclusive carrier access described for partner agencies. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  22. London, UK – Costero Brokers. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Costero Brokers Ltd. London office listing; full-service London brokerage; link to costerobrokers.com. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  23. Modern Brokerage Solutions. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Independent brokerage; digital document access and service activity status; TrustLayer and Quick Insure mentions; AI workflow for claims administration. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  24. Heffernan Insurance Brokers Acquires Kristin Manwaring Insurance Associates, Inc. Heffernan Insurance Brokers via PR Newswire; 26 August 2026 release; Walnut Creek; independent brokerage; F. Michael Heffernan, President and CEO; License #0564249 in about block. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  25. SkyKnight Invests in Heffernan Insurance Brokers to Support the Platform’s Continued Growth. InsuranceNewsNet reprint of SkyKnight Capital BusinessWire; 22 July 2019 announcement; minority investment; ESOP recapitalization; Mike Heffernan quote on retaining employee ownership. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  26. California License Number Search. California Department of Insurance; License-number search form. Accessed 2026-09-16.

Updated . Spot, a product of Tools for Enlightenment, publishes this research and works in the commercial insurance market. The comparison applies the same criteria to both providers. Editorial policy. To suggest a correction, email The General Average with the page URL and supporting source.

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