Data breaches and claims about your work
Cyber and professional liability insurance (E&O) for small businesses
Data breaches and claims that your advice or services cost a client money are two risks that general liability usually does not cover. Kaufman Insurance Group compares cyber insurance and professional liability, also called errors and omissions or E&O, from multiple companies.
- Cyber coverage for breaches, ransomware, and fraud, where offered
- Professional liability for claims about your advice or services
- Help understanding claims-made policies and retroactive dates
Personal & Commercial · Quick Quotes – Good Rates · Great Companies
As an independent agency, we compare cyber and professional liability insurance from the companies we work with, and we can also shop many other commercial insurance companies through wholesale partners. The companies that can quote you depend on your type of business, your revenue, your data and security practices, where you operate, and each company’s own rules.
These logos show some of the insurance companies Kaufman Insurance Group may be able to quote as an independent agency. Showing a logo does not mean the company endorses us. Which companies can offer you coverage depends on the type of insurance, where you live, and each company’s own rules.
The basics
Two different risks, two kinds of coverage
Cyber insurance is for events involving data and technology, such as a hacked email account, a ransomware attack, or a lost laptop with customer records. It can help with the cost to respond and with claims from people affected.
Professional liability insurance, also called errors and omissions or E&O, is for claims that your professional advice or services caused a client to lose money. Examples include a missed deadline, a mistake in a report, or work that did not meet an agreed standard.
Neither risk is usually covered by general liability. Some businesses need one, and many need both.
Cyber insurance
Breaches, ransomware, fraud, and claims tied to data and technology.
Professional liability (E&O)
Claims about mistakes, oversights, or failures in the services you provide.
Cyber insurance
What cyber insurance can include
Cyber policies vary more than most. These are the main parts to compare.
Breach response
Help with forensic investigation, legal advice, and notifying affected people.
Data restoration
Costs to restore or recreate lost or damaged data and systems.
Business interruption
Lost income while your systems are down after a covered cyber event.
Ransomware and extortion
Help responding to a ransomware demand, subject to the policy’s terms.
Fraud and social engineering
Options for tricked payments and funds transfer fraud, which vary by company.
Privacy liability
Claims from customers or others whose information was exposed.
Professional liability
What professional liability (E&O) can include
Professional liability is written for the type of work you do. These are the main parts to compare.
Legal defense
Help paying lawyers to defend covered claims, even if the claim has no merit.
Settlements and judgments
Help paying covered amounts you owe a client, up to the policy limit.
Errors and oversights
Claims about mistakes, missed steps, or incorrect advice.
Contract requirements
Proof of coverage that clients and contracts may require.
Businesses that often look at professional liability include consultants, IT and technology firms, marketing agencies, real estate professionals, bookkeepers, designers, and other businesses that give advice or deliver professional services.
Is it right for you
Businesses we can help
If you keep data, move money online, or give professional advice, these coverages are worth a look.
Businesses that store customer data
Anyone who keeps names, addresses, payment details, or health information.
Businesses that take payments
Stores, restaurants, and service businesses that process cards or send wire payments.
Professional service firms
Consultants, agencies, and advisors whose clients rely on their work.
Businesses with contract requirements
Companies whose clients require proof of cyber or E&O coverage.
Did a client ask for proof of cyber or E&O coverage? An agent can help.
How Kaufman helps
How we help you with cyber and E&O
We are an independent agency, so we can compare options instead of offering just one.
Tell us about your business
Share what you do, your revenue, how you handle data and payments, and any contract requirements.
We compare companies
An agent reviews options and explains limits, retentions, retroactive dates, and what each policy leaves out.
Choose your coverage
Pick one policy or both. We can help you keep coverage continuous at renewal.
We focus on Ohio and North Carolina, and we can also help businesses in most other states. Beyond the companies we work with directly, we can also shop many other commercial insurance companies through wholesale partners.
Common questions
Cyber and professional liability questions
Does general liability cover a data breach?
Usually not. General liability focuses on bodily injury and property damage. Data breaches, ransomware, and similar events generally need a cyber policy.
What does cyber insurance cover?
Depending on the policy, cyber insurance can help with breach response, notifying customers, restoring data, lost income from a cyber event, ransomware, and claims from people whose data was exposed. Coverage for funds transfer fraud and social engineering varies by company.
What is professional liability or E&O?
Professional liability, also called errors and omissions, helps if a client claims your advice, service, or work caused them a financial loss. It can help pay for legal defense and settlements for covered claims.
What does claims-made mean?
Most cyber and professional liability policies are claims-made. The policy in force when a claim is made generally responds, as long as the work happened after the retroactive date. Keeping coverage continuous matters, and tail coverage may be available if a policy ends.
Do I need both cyber and professional liability?
Many businesses do. Cyber focuses on data and technology events. Professional liability focuses on mistakes in the services you provide. Some businesses carry one, some carry both, and some companies offer them together.
What will a company ask about my security?
Companies often ask about backups, multi-factor authentication, employee training, and how you handle payments and customer data. Stronger practices can help with eligibility and price.
Related coverage
Coverage that works with cyber and professional liability
General liability insurance
Protection if your business is blamed for injuring someone or damaging their property.
Explore general liabilityBusiness owners policy
A package of property and liability coverage for many small businesses.
Explore business owners policiesCommercial umbrella insurance
Extra liability limits above your commercial policies.
Explore commercial umbrellaWorkers’ compensation outside Ohio
Coverage for employees in North Carolina and most other states.
Explore workers’ compensationCommercial property insurance
Coverage for your building, equipment, and inventory.
Explore commercial propertyCommercial insurance hub
See all the business insurance we can help with, from liability and property to vehicles and contractors.
Explore commercial insuranceReady to protect your business from cyber and professional risks?
Start a quote online, or contact us with questions. An agent will help you compare your options.
Prefer to talk? Call (330) 486-8404.