September 29, 2016

Data Breach CoverageLOST IS THE SAME AS STOLEN WHEN IT COMES TO PERSONAL CUSTOMER INFORMATION.

Contrary to what you may have heard, a hacker from continents away is not the only threat to your customers’ sensitive data. A simple mistake is often the culprit.

In fact, one in three data breaches results from human error

EVEN HONEST MISTAKES CAN CAUSE A DATA BREACH

Here are just some of the ways:

  1. A flash drive with your clients’ social security numbers is misplaced
  2. A box of files with sensitive customer information isn’t shredded, leaving it vulnerable to ID thieves
  3. A laptop with customers’ personal information is stolen from the backseat of your car
  4. A tablet that stores clients’ credit card numbers is left on a restaurant chair and never recovered

When they happen to you, your business is at risk. The damage control, legal expenses, and paperwork can be overwhelming. Some small businesses never recover.

The good news is that there’s an affordable way to help prevent and protect against data breach losses.

THE BEST DEFENSE: DATA BREACH COVERAGEThe Hartford Insurance

The Hartford offers data breach coverage to help you before and after a breach occurs. It includes:

Online resources that can help you prevent and prepare for breaches, such as:

  • Protection tips, breach scenarios and best practices
  • Up-to-date consumer, regulatory and third-party requirements for notifying customers of a breach
  • An incidence response plan template for minimizing the impact of a breach

 

Coverage for these costs if a breach ever occurs, including:

  • Expenses for notifying impacted customers and employees, such as mailing costs
  • Damage control costs, such as good faith advertising

 

PROTECTION THAT FLEXES WITH YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS

Depending on the nature of your business and customers or clients, you may need more or less coverage. You can choose:

  1. First-party response expense coverage by itself, or
  2. First-party response expense coverage with third-party defense and liability coverage

You can also tailor your coverage limits. See below:

First-Party Response Expense Coverage

Pays for:

  1. Investigating whether a breach occurred
  2. Notifying those at risk, including the cost of letter-writing and mailings
  3. Public relations and good-faith advertising for helping to restore your business’s reputation
  • Credit monitoring of people who may be impacted, if needed

 

Standard flexible choices:

Available limits: $10,000; $25,000; $50,000; $100,000

Deductible limit per claim ranges from $1,000 to $2,500, depending on the limit selected

Third-Party Defense and Liability Coverage

Pays for costs you’re legally obligated to pay:

  1. Civil awards
  2. Settlements
  3. Judgments

Standard flexible choices:

  1. Available limits: $50,000; $100,000; $250,000; $500,0006 No deductible Defense costs are within the limits purchased

BEFORE A GLITCH TURNS INTO A LIABILITY, ASK YOUR AGENT ABOUT DATA BREACH COVERAGE.

Contact Insurance Brokers Group at 800-459-6060 for more information or get your Data Breach Coverage quote.

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John Espenschied is a long-time veteran of the insurance industry. He's worked with thousands of clients over the years, helping to protect their personal and business needs. John's goal is to provide the best advice possible to assist customers in saving money while protecting their property and securing their financial future.
He truly enjoys helping others and takes great satisfaction in providing top-notch customer service. When he's not working, John has fun spending time with his family, golfing, bike riding, and blogging on insurance topics.