This is something our Cybersecurity customers have been asking a lot lately.
Cyber liability insurance—often referred to as ‘Cyber Insurance’ or ‘Data Breach Insurance’—comes into play to protect your business. It covers the costs to your business in the case of a data breach or cyber attack and any legal claims brought against your business.
In this day of being a data driven universe, companies of all sizes are being targeted and attacked. Any business is facing online exposure through websites, email phishing attacks, and various types of consumer interaction as well as credit card processing. One hacker, a lost laptop, phone or notebook can expose your company to serious risk. Let’s not forget a virus or worm getting into your system. One serious incident can put your company’s reputation, financial well being, and face a huge liability with dire consequences.
According to Kaspersky, 1 in 5 businesses has experienced data loss or exposure due to a cyber attack. Their report goes on to state that: “The average financial impact of a single data breach and attack vector for an SMB (small and medium-sized businesses) is an estimated $86.5k.” Your small business cannot afford not having cyber liability insurance. What would happen to your business if it was facing any of the incidents described earlier?
If you handle any of this information, cyber liability insurance coverage is a must:
- Social Security numbers
- Medical and Person Health Information (PHI)
- Customer credit card information
- Customer names, addresses, phone numbers, etc.
Is Cyber Liability Covered Under General Liability Insurance?
Most general liability policies will not cover the loss of customer or employee information resulting from a data breach. Some insurance companies offer very basic or limited cyber liability coverage—but with significant gaps.
What Does Cyber Insurance Cover?
Cyber liability insurance typically covers the data/technology issues now often excluded now in general business liability coverage. Often, you can pick options which will protect how your business is exposed in technology. Like other policies, you will need to have certain safeguards in place like anti-virus and firewall protection to get a policy issued. The cyber insurers may wish an assessment done and look at password procedures, access, and network configuration. Your agent and carrier can walk you through what could be needed.
First Party Damages
Cyber liability insurance offers liability coverage as protection against a claim of damages as the direct result of a data breach. This coverage may include cover for the cost of:
- Loss of electronic data: This insurance covers the cost to repair damaged software or replace lost or stolen data from the cyber attack.
- Cyber extortion: If a cyber criminal is holding your data and/or information hostage for a ransom, this insurance coverage can help pay for the ransom.
- Business interruption/loss of income: If a data breach or cyber attack leaves you unable to operate your business, some cyber liability insurance policies can help cover lost income and expenses.
- Security fixes and cyber forensics: Cyber liability will help cover the costs of upgrading your security and investigating the data breach.
- Notification and identity protection for affected customers: Cyber liability helps cover the cost of notifying customers impacted by data breaches and pay for identity protection.
- Fraud and credit monitoring services: Cyberliability can cover the cost of credit monitoring for any customers impacted by a data breach.
- The impact on your business reputation: Cyber liability can help cover the costs of handling public relations and repairing the damage to your business reputation. Libel, copyright or infringement, and defamation
Every cyber liability insurance provider outlines different coverages and exclusions in their policies—the coverage can vary widely. So make sure you talk with a specialist to determine
Third-Party Coverage Offered
- Damages to a third-party system (in case of an accidental virus transmission, for example)
- Network Security and Privacy Liability: This covers your small business from liability for alleged negligence or that you failed to properly protect customer information.
- Media Liability Claims: This includes accusations of libel, slander, fraud, etc.
- Regulatory proceedings and or fines form regulatory bodies
- Legal costs, settlements, and damage awards up to the limits of the policy
What is NOT covered by cyber liability insurance?
- Property damage claims: If your property is damaged, this is covered by general liability insurance.
- Third-party bodily injury: Likewise, third-party injuries are covered by general liability insurance.
- Criminal Activity: Employee theft, fraud, and other ‘criminal activity’