What is Cyber Insurance?

Cyber insurance covers your business’ liability for a data breach that includes sensitive customer information. This could include things like Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, account numbers, driver’s license numbers and even medical records.

Why doesn’t my general liability insurance cover cyber liability?

General Liability covers bodily injuries and damage to property which is a result of your products, services or operations. Be sure to check your policy because cyber insurance is usually not included in your general liability policy.

What Does Cyber Insurance Cover?

  • Legal fees and expenses as well as:
  • Restoring personal identities of affected customers
  • Notifying customers about a data breach
  • Repairing damaged computer systems
  • Recovering compromised data
  • What to look for as a cyber insurance buyer

Many well-known insurance companies offer cyber insurance policies. We work with the top carriers in the country to be sure your needs are met.

Like any business insurance, cyber insurance coverage varies by insurer and policy.

Cyber Liability Insurance
Cyber Liability Insurance

Cyber Liability Coverages

When shopping around and comparing policies among insurers, here are some things to look for and ask about:

  • What are the deductibles? Be sure to compare deductibles closely among insurers, just like you do with health, vehicle and facility policies.
  • Does the insurance company offer one or more types of cyber insurance policies or is the coverage simply an extension to an existing policy? In most cases, a stand-alone policy is best and more comprehensive. Also find out if the policy is customizable to an organization.
  • How does coverage and limits apply to both first and third parties? For example, does the policy cover third-party service providers? On that note, find out if your service providers have cyber insurance and how it affects your agreement.
  • Does the policy cover any attack to which an organization falls victim or only targeted attacks against that organization in particular?
  • Does the policy cover non-malicious actions taken by an employee? This is part of the E&O coverage that applies to cyber insurance as well.
  • Does the policy cover social engineering as well as network attacks? Social engineering plays a role in all kinds of attacks, including phishing, spear phishing and advanced persistent threats (APTs).
  • Because APTs take place over time, which can be months to years, does the policy include time frames within which coverage applies?

If you’re interested in cyber insurance coverage for your business, please give our office a call or visit our quotes page today.

Get Started with a Cyber Quote

To get started on your quote, click below to start our online cyber liability quote form.

Commercial Cyber Liability Insurance FAQ

In today’s hyper-connected business landscape, the question isn’t if your business will face a cyber threat but when. From multinational corporations to local small businesses, every enterprise is a potential target for sophisticated cybercriminals, nation-state actors, and even opportunistic hackers. A single data breach or ransomware attack can decimate your finances, erode your customers’ trust, and even lead to operational paralysis, making your years of hard work crumble in an instant. Imagine the gut-wrenching moment when you realize that your customer database is compromised, or that your entire network is locked down by ransomware. The immediate panic gives way to a torrent of questions: How do we fix this? Who pays for the damage? How do we inform our customers without destroying our reputation? This isn’t just a hypothetical scenario; it’s a harsh reality that countless businesses face annually. This is precisely where commercial cyber liability insurance steps in as a critical safeguard, acting as your digital seatbelt in an increasingly turbulent online world. It’s more than just a policy; it’s a strategic partnership designed to provide financial protection and expert resources when your digital defenses are inevitably tested. This guide will demystify cyber insurance, helping you understand its necessity, navigate its complexities, and secure your business’s future against unseen digital adversaries.

Commercial cyber liability insurance provides financial protection against losses and liabilities arising from data breaches, cyberattacks, and other digital incidents. It is essential because no business is immune to cyber threats, and the financial and reputational fallout from an incident can be catastrophic. Modern businesses are increasingly reliant on digital infrastructure, making them prime targets. Without this coverage, the costs of recovery can be insurmountable. Many policies also offer invaluable access to expert incident response services, which are critical for effective mitigation.

Real Results: A small marketing firm that was hit by a ransomware attack faced $75,000 in recovery costs and legal fees. Its cyber policy covered 90% of expenses, which prevented it from going bankrupt.

Takeaway: Cyber insurance is a necessary shield, offering both financial relief and expert support in the face of escalating digital threats.

Cyber liability insurance specifically covers financial losses and legal liabilities related to digital data breaches, cyberattacks, and system compromises, unlike traditional policies. General liability primarily addresses third-party bodily injury and property damage, while property insurance covers physical assets like buildings and equipment. Cyber policies are designed for the unique, intangible risks of the digital realm, such as data restoration, regulatory fines, and business interruption from a cyber event. This specialized focus ensures that businesses are protected against risks unforeseen by older insurance products.

Real Results: After a server hack, a manufacturing company’s general liability insurance didn’t cover data restoration ($40,000), but its cyber policy did.

Takeaway: Recognize the distinct scope of cyber insurance; it covers digital risks that traditional policies do not address.

All businesses with an online presence, store digital data, or rely on networked systems are vulnerable to cyber risks and need this coverage. While large corporations face high-profile attacks, small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are often disproportionately targeted due to perceived weaker defenses. Industries handling sensitive data like healthcare, finance, retail, and technology are particularly attractive to cybercriminals, but even professional services or manufacturing firms are at significant risk of operational disruption and data theft.

Real Results: A local accounting firm with only 15 employees lost over 1,000 client records in a phishing attack, which cost it $20,000 in notification and legal fees.

Takeaway: If your business uses computers or stores data, assume that you are a target and secure appropriate cyber insurance.

A standard cyber liability policy typically covers first-party costs like data restoration, system recovery, notification expenses for affected individuals, and business interruption losses following an incident. It also often includes third-party liability coverage for legal defense costs, regulatory fines, penalties, and damages paid to third parties due to a breach. Furthermore, policies may cover public relations efforts to manage reputational damage, forensic investigation fees, and even extortion demands from ransomware attacks. The scope can vary, but these are common inclusions.

Real Results: A restaurant chain experienced a POS system breach, incurring $120,000 in forensic, credit monitoring, and PR costs. These costs were all covered by its cyber policy.

Takeaway: A comprehensive policy covers both your direct costs and your legal liabilities arising from a cyber incident.

Many cyber insurance policies do cover ransomware payments, subject to policy limits and specific terms, but this coverage often comes with significant implications and requires careful review. While it can be a last resort to regain access to critical systems, paying ransoms raises ethical concerns and does not guarantee data recovery or prevent future attacks. Insurers typically require policyholders to work with approved negotiators and forensic experts before making any payments, highlighting a focus on strategic incident management.

Real Results: A logistics company paid a $50,000 ransomware demand, fully reimbursed by its policy, allowing the company to resume operations within 48 hours instead of weeks.

Takeaway: Ransomware payment coverage exists, but always prioritize prevention and understand the conditions and risks involved.