Man looking out of window

Fiduciary Liability Insurance

Get business insurance with optimized coverage to meet your exact needs

Or call for advice and customized recommendations.

What is Fiduciary Liability Insurance?

When assuming a fiduciary or trustee role for a benefit plan, it’s common to think that a fiduciary bond or a fidelity bond, required by law, will protect you against lawsuits.

These bonds protect other entities, including ERISA-governed plans themselves, such as health, pension, or retirement plans, but still, leave the fiduciary or trustee open to liability lawsuits due to the actions you take as a fiduciary — or the lack of action.

The risk associated with fiduciary roles is elevated by the fact that a lawsuit can be filed against a fiduciary or trustee without full proof of any wrongdoing, leading to a potentially expensive court battle which can put your personal assets at risk.

Win or lose, your house, savings, or even your future earnings may be at stake without proper coverage.

What is Fiduciary Liability All About?

Fiduciary Liability Insurance

Do you need more coverage?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fiduciary bond requirement?

Fiduciary bonds are a type of insurance that protects a beneficiary when a fiduciary fails to act in their best interests. For example, let's say a fiduciary is guilty of stealing money from a beneficiary.


The fiduciary bond will protect the beneficiary and either partially or fully "make them whole" so they don't lose all the money that was stolen.


Fiduciary bonds can be required by law, especially in cases where a beneficiary feels as if the trustworthiness of the fiduciary leaves something to be desired and thus asks for a fiduciary bond as insurance.

What is the difference between fiduciary and ERISA?

While the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, fiduciary bonds and ERISA bonds are not the same. ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act) bonds are required by law for any individual who manages the funds of an employee benefits plan. The fiduciary must be covered for at least 10% of the money they manage.


Fiduciary responsibility insurance (or bonds) covers the plan in the event of a breach of responsibility by the fiduciary. While fiduciary insurance is not a legal requirement, many fiduciaries choose to purchase the coverage as they can be held personally responsible for losses incurred by a plan during a breach. Additionally, the scope of coverage can be different between an ERISA bond and a fiduciary bond.

Who has a fiduciary responsibility?

A fiduciary is any individual who has a legal responsibility to act solely in the best interests of another person. The fiduciary must make sure to not violate the beneficiary's trust or act in a manner that does not keep the beneficiary's best interests at heart.


An example of fiduciary responsibility is the relationship that exists between an attorney and a client. The attorney accepts the role as a fiduciary and agrees to act only in the client's best interests.

Is a fiduciary the same as an executor?

Put one way, all executors are fiduciaries, but not all fiduciaries are executors. An executor is a specific kind of fiduciary who manages the affairs of an individual after their death in accordance with their will.


An executor does not have to be an individual; trust companies and banks can also serve as executors.

What is the difference between a fiduciary and a financial advisor?

Many incorrectly assume that all financial advisors are required to be fiduciaries. This is not true. While many financial advisors serve in a fiduciary role, some do not. It is up to those seeking out financial advisors for their services to determine whether or not they require someone who will act as a fiduciary.


The more involved a financial advisor is in the money management process, the more important it is for them to take on a fiduciary role.


"Fiduciary" is a broad word used to describe a legal relationship between a responsible party and a beneficiary where the responsible party must act in the best interests of the beneficiary. Some financial advisors act as fiduciaries, but others do not.

What is an example of a fiduciary?

There are many examples of fiduciaries and fiduciary-beneficiary relationships. A lawyer has a fiduciary responsibility to a client. A doctor has a fiduciary responsibility to a patient. A CEO has a fiduciary responsibility to a company's shareholders. Even spouses have fiduciary responsibilities to each other.


There are lots of relationships that fall under the "fiduciary" category, but it is important to not assume. The best way to know if an individual or entity will serve in a fiduciary role in their relationship with you is to ask.

Are You Ready to Get Covered?

Prefer to speak with a CoverWallet consultant? Call