From ransom payments to data recovery fees, cyberattacks can take a huge financial toll on a business. A cyber insurance policy helps your small business bounce back by covering the cost of legal fees, credit monitoring services, and more.
Understanding the two types of cyber insurance can help you determine what kind of coverage your business needs.
First-party coverage, also known as data breach insurance, protects businesses from the financial impact of data breaches or cyberattacks, including costs for:
If a client sues your business for failing to prevent (or causing) a data breach or cyber incident at their company, third-party coverage can pay for lawsuit-related fees, including lawyers’ costs, settlements, court-ordered judgments, and docket fees.
Cybersecurity insurance isn’t required by law, but it’s highly recommended for all businesses. As cybercriminals become increasingly sophisticated and cause greater destruction, they’re turning their sights on more small businesses that are often unprepared and defenseless. Additionally, some professions, such as cybersecurity consultants, may require a policy to sign a client’s contract.
Understanding this increasing threat can help small business owners protect their assets. Below are some key stats highlighting the impact cyberattacks have on small businesses:
Securing a cyber liability policy can help your small business protect itself and recover from a devastating breach.
While sophisticated hackers go after a variety of businesses and industries, certain factors can make a company more vulnerable to cyber crimes. Cyber insurance protection is especially beneficial for businesses that:
If your company keeps sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers, credit card information, bank accounts, driver’s license numbers, and addresses, you’re a prime target for a cyberattack. These types of businesses can include:
Businesses in the healthcare, finance, and education fields must follow strict requirements, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) laws, which encourage robust cybersecurity measures. Some of these companies include:
Companies that conduct sales online or operate primarily on the internet have an increased exposure to cyber risks on their computer systems, such as:
Businesses in the information technology (IT) industry that provide services or web-based products are more susceptible to lawsuits if a client or customer suffers a data breach or cyberattack. These tech professionals could be:
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Insureon customers pay an average premium of $145 per month for cyber insurance. The cost of cyber liability insurance is based on several factors, such as:
All of these details are important when understanding how much cyber insurance your small business needs.
Determining the right amount of cyber liability coverage depends on the type of business you own, what industry you’re in, and the kind of customer data you handle.
For example, if your business handles personally identifiable information (PII), such as full names, Social Security numbers, or bank account information, a data breach could bring expensive lawsuits and hefty fines.
Here’s what the average cyber liability insurance policy for small businesses includes:
Costs can vary depending on a handful of factors, including the amount and sensitivity level of the customer PII you store, industry regulations, company size, and cybersecurity protocols.
IT and tech professionals should consider tech E&O, a policy bundle that combines errors and omissions insurance with cyber insurance. This combo policy protects against the risks and legal fees tied to data breaches.
As a critical part of your company’s risk management, cyber insurance is a great place to start. Having a strong cybersecurity protocol can help protect your business and potentially lower your insurance costs.
Here are a few steps you can take to beef up your cybersecurity:
Get free quotes for cyber insurance from top-rated insurance providers by filling out our easy online application. You can also speak with a licensed insurance agent, who can answer questions and help you find affordable coverage.
Once you find the right policies for your small business, you can begin coverage in less than 24 hours and get a certificate of insurance (COI) for your small business.