Fiduciary protection for plan sponsors and the validated vendors who serve them.
For VI-validated vendors, consultants, and advisors who want to stand behind their fiduciary integrity with real coverage.
Vendors, consultants, and advisors that earn the ERISA Immunity Guarantee will not be named in lawsuits alleging that the plan sponsor violated ERISA through mismanagement of plan assets. The plan sponsor itself is also protected on the validated entity's portion of plan assets — though the plan sponsor remains responsible for other fiduciary duties.
The $100,000 functions as limited co-insurance for any settlement, arbitration finding, or adjudicated award where the validated entity is named.
The Guarantee sits alongside existing fiduciary insurance, not in place of it.
| Layer | Who Pays |
|---|---|
| First $5,000 | The validated entity's E&O, D&O, or fiduciary insurer, per existing contracts. |
| Next $200,000 | ERISA Immunity Guarantee covers 50%, up to $100,000. |
| Above that | Existing insurance. |
The $100,000 ERISA Immunity Guarantee is open to any organization that handles plan assets and operates with fiduciary integrity, including:
Care navigation, MSK, virtual care, mental health, advanced primary care, and other point solutions paid out of plan assets.
TPAs that adjudicate claims and manage day-to-day plan operations on behalf of plan sponsors.
PBMs that operate as true fiduciaries — independent, transparent, and aligned with plan sponsor interests.
Advisors and brokers who recommend plan design, vendors, and contract terms on behalf of plan sponsors.
Earning the Guarantee requires a Validation Institute validation in your category and a fiduciary review of your business practices. Most aligned organizations already meet the bar.
The Guarantee functions as ersatz co-insurance, which means covered entities — and often their plan sponsor customers — can negotiate discounts on their own E&O, D&O, or fiduciary policies. If your current carrier won't recognize it, we'll connect you with a P&C insurer that will.
Independent, fiduciary-aligned organizations — PBMs, TPAs, vendors, or advisors — can earn the strongest tier: up to $1,000,000 in coverage, designed for the level of trust serious employers expect from their healthcare partners.
Open to independent, fiduciary-aligned organizations across categories. Higher coverage; stricter qualification.
See the Platinum tier →