Cyber insurance for professional services businesses

Cyber insurance safeguards your business when credit card numbers or other personal information is compromised. If a hacker or former employee steals customer data, you could be held liable. Cyber liability insurance can cover legal fees, provide essential resources, and cover the cost of notifying affected parties.

This policy provides liability coverage related to:

• Data breaches
• Cyberattacks
• Cyber extortion

There are two types of cyber liability insurance: first-party and third-party.

First-party cyber liability insurance covers data breaches at the policyholder’s business. If a hacker steals Social Security numbers from your medical billing company, or a cyberattack exposes client information at your law firm, this insurance can cover expenses related to:

• Notifying your clients about the breach
• Providing credit monitoring for affected clients
• Paying cyber extortion demands

When a client suffers a data breach, you could be held liable. For instance, a travel agent could be held at fault for recommending a hotel with known cybersecurity problems when they knew the client would be working remotely.

Third-party cyber liability insurance protects your business from lawsuits in which a client blames you for circumstances that led to a data breach or cyberattack. This policy could help pay for:

• Attorney’s fees
• Court costs
• Settlements or judgments

While cyber liability insurance covers risks related to cybersecurity, it does not offer complete protection. Professional service businesses should also consider:

Business owner's policy (BOP): This policy bundles general liability insurance with commercial property insurance at a lower cost than if the policies were purchased separately.

Professional liability insurance: This policy helps cover legal expenses if a business is sued for unsatisfactory work. It's also called errors and omissions insurance (E&O).

Workers’ compensation insurance: Workers’ comp covers medical costs and lost wages for work-related injuries. It's required in almost every state for businesses that have employees.

Commercial auto insurance: Business-owned vehicles must be covered by a commercial auto policy, which covers costs if your vehicle is involved in an accident.

General liability insurance: This policy helps pay expenses related to customer property damage and injuries, such as a client tripping on an uneven step at your business and spraining an ankle.

Are you ready to safeguard your professional services business with cyber liability insurance? Complete Insureon’s easy online application today. Once you find the right policy, you can begin coverage in less than 24 hours.