CYBER LIABILITY INSURANCE

Available in Arizona, Connecticut, Colorado, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, and Washington.

Cyberattacks have escalated in unprecedented frequency and intensity, posing a growing threat to the business community. Cyber threats vary from the theft of customer account information and fraudulent funds transfers to attacks meant to disable a company’s computer network and website. Cyber Liability coverage is affordable and designed to get your business back on track while protecting your company’s brand and reputation.

Cost-Effective, Comprehensive, and Trustworthy Insurance Coverage Solutions for Cyber Liability

First-Party Coverage:

First-party insurance coverage refers to the protection that a policyholder (the first party) receives under their insurance policy. In this case, the “first party” is the person or entity that holds the insurance policy. This covers your organization’s direct expenses and losses from a cyber incident.

Third-Party Coverage:

Third-party insurance coverage refers to protection for someone other than the policyholder (the first party) or the insurer (the second party). In this case, the “third party” is typically a person, group, or entity affected by the policyholder’s actions or negligence. This covers your organization’s defense costs and any damage from your liability to a third party.

Coverage Extensions:

  • Funds Transfer Fraud and Social Engineering: Coverage for funds transfer losses incurred because of the receipt of fraudulent payment instructions, including through social engineering.
  • Funds Transfer Liability: Coverage for expenses to defend you and damages from distributing fraudulent payment instructions to your vendors, business partners, or clients due to a security failure.
  • Ransomware and Cyber Extortion: Coverage for costs of responding to an extortion incident, including money, securities, and virtual currencies paid.
  • Direct Business Interruption: Covers lost profits that were incurred due to not operating. Note: Minimum Duration of Business Interruption Before Coverage Starts.
  • Contingent Business Interruption: Losses From Interruption in 3rd Party Computer Services or Software.
  • Invoice Manipulation: Coverage for the net costs you cannot collect for goods or services under a fraudulent invoice or payment instruction resulting from a security failure.
  • Network and Information Security Liability: Coverage for expenses to defend you and any damages resulting from your liability to a 3rd party for a security failure, data breach, or privacy liability. Coverage for the expenses to defend you and any Regulatory Fines or Penalties from a regulatory proceeding for a security failure or data breach.
  • Breach Response Costs: Coverage for responding to a breach, including computer forensic fees, legally required customer notification, legal expenses, credit monitoring, and identity theft restoration.
  • PCI Fines and Assessments: Coverage for expenses to defend you and PCI fines and assessments arising from a data breach that compromises payment card data.
  • Multimedia Content Liability: Coverage for expenses to defend you and damages arising from your liability to a third party for media content-related claims (such as copyright infringement, violation of privacy rights, and defamation).
  • Digital Asset Restoration: Coverage for costs to replace, restore, or recreate your digital assets damaged or lost due to a security or systems failure.
  • Computer Replacement and Bricking: Coverage for costs to replace or restore computer hardware or tangible equipment impacted by a loss of firmware integrity resulting from a security failure.

PLEASE BE ADVISED: Please be advised that the above titles, headings, definitions, terms, and descriptions are for illustrative purposes. Policies differ, so please review the policy and all endorsements for a complete description of coverage, as specific coverage extensions, conditions, and exclusions apply.

CYBER LIABILITY EXPOSURES

CYBER LIABILITY INSURANCE PREMIUM ESTIMATE FORM APPLY NOW!

Available in Arizona, Connecticut, Colorado, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, and Washington.

Very Important. Coverage cannot be bound until all required documentation and the premium due are received, reviewed, and accepted by Underwriters. Coverage cannot be back-dated, so please ensure your information is submitted on time. All submissions are individually underwritten to determine program eligibility and terms.

Please email or fax completed forms to: newbusiness@plcsi.com

Fax to: (914) 592-6508

Whether you have a question about our company or your policy, we're ready to help!

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Cyber Liability Exposures

Professional services companies face various cyber liability exposures due to reliance on digital systems, data storage, and client communications. Here are some common types of cyber liability exposures for these companies.

  • Data Breaches: Unauthorized access to sensitive data (client information, trade secrets, or intellectual property) due to hacking or system vulnerabilities.

  • Data Loss: Accidental or malicious data loss, such as client files, contracts, or financial information.

  • Cyber Extortion (Ransomware): Attackers encrypt the company’s data or systems and demand a ransom for decryption.

  • Business Interruption: Cyberattacks or technical failures that disrupt business operations, such as downtime due to system breaches, DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) attacks, or infrastructure failures.

  • Social Engineering/Phishing Attacks: Cybercriminals use fraudulent emails or phone calls to deceive employees into revealing sensitive information, like login credentials or financial data.

  • Legal and Regulatory Compliance Risks: If sensitive client or patient data is mishandled, failure to comply with data protection regulations can result in significant fines and penalties.

  • Intellectual Property (IP) Theft: Theft of proprietary information, such as client data, designs, or software code, through cyberattacks or insider threats.

  • Reputational Damage: Cyber incidents (such as data breaches, ransomware attacks, or poor cybersecurity practices) that harm the company’s reputation.

  • Third-Party Vendor Risks: Data breaches or cyberattacks that occur through vulnerabilities in the company’s third-party vendors or contractors.

  • Financial Fraud: Cybercriminals use stolen financial credentials to make unauthorized transactions or manipulate company accounts.

  • Reputation & Brand Damage: Clients or the public learn that the company failed to adequately protect its systems and data, leading to a loss of trust.

 

Professional services companies must secure cyber liability insurance to cover exposures, including but not limited to data breaches, legal defense costs, and business interruption due to cyber incidents.

Attorneys and law firms face several professional liability exposures, including:

Negligence: Failing to meet professional standards or deadlines, including not conducting proper legal research, missing filing deadlines, failing to advise clients appropriately, giving incorrect or incomplete legal advice, and lacking due diligence in reviewing legal documents or contracts.

Conflict of Interest: Representing clients with conflicting interests, such as multiple clients with adverse positions or personal interests that interfere with professional duties, and failure to disclose conflicts or obtain proper consent from all affected parties.

Breach of Confidentiality: Disclosing client confidence or sensitive information without proper authorization and failing to protect client information, especially in the digital age.

Failure to Supervise: Failure to properly supervise associates, paralegals, or other employees leads to errors or omissions and inadequate oversight of subordinates’ work, especially in cases involving complex legal issues.

Fraud or Misrepresentation: Making false representations or failing to disclose material facts that could influence a client’s decision or the case outcome and engaging in fraudulent conduct or misusing client funds.

Incompetence: Taking on cases outside one’s expertise or failing to provide competent legal representation and not staying updated on changes in law or legal procedures relevant to a case.

Client Relations and Communication: Poor communication with clients leads to misunderstandings, dissatisfaction, or loss of trust, as well as failure to provide updates, manage client expectations, or adequately explain legal terms or processes.

Failure to File or Meet Deadlines: Missed filing deadlines, court dates, or failure to comply with procedural requirements can lead to negligence and malpractice claims. In cases involving statutes of limitations, missing deadlines can be particularly problematic.

Litigation Strategy and Decision-making: Poor strategic decisions in litigation include taking unwarranted risks, failing to pursue meritorious claims, and misjudging the likelihood of success or settlement opportunities.

Client Mismanagement: Failing to manage the client’s legal affairs organizationally, resulting in economic loss, penalties, or legal consequences.

Conflict with Third Parties (e.g., opposing counsel, courts): Claims may arise from mishandling interactions with third parties, such as opposing counsel or the courts, which may harm a client’s interests.

Alleged Violation of Ethical Standards: Claims arising from perceived violations of the professional code of ethics, such as misconduct, dishonesty, or breaches of fiduciary duties.

The above exposures highlight the complex nature of legal work and the importance of maintaining high professional standards, staying informed about legal developments, and ensuring effective client communication and management. Legal malpractice claims can arise from minor oversights, so adequate professional liability coverage is crucial for all practicing attorneys.