Should Small Business Owners Get Cyber Insurance?

Cyber insurance for small businesses is becoming increasingly relevant as the cost of dealing with cyber incidents keeps climbing. Businesses rely more than ever on technology, while cybercriminals are launching more frequent and sophisticated attacks.

Cyber insurance helps businesses recover from financial losses caused by ransomware, business email compromise, data breaches, scams, and other cyber threats.

But is it worth the cost for a small business?

Key takeaways

According to ICAEW’s 2023 report, cyber incidents have been the top business risk for five years running.
Cyber insurance helps small businesses recover financially after ransomware, data breaches, scams, and other cyber incidents.
Policies typically cover legal costs, business interruption, incident response, data recovery, and liability claims.
Strong cybersecurity and cyber insurance work together—they're not substitutes.
Many insurers require businesses to implement basic cybersecurity measures before offering coverage.
For many small businesses, cyber insurance costs far less than recovering from a major cyberattack.

What is cyber insurance for small businesses?

Cyber insurance—sometimes called cyber liability or cyber security insurance—is a type of policy that helps businesses recover from the financial impact of cyber incidents. The best policies provide protection against various threats, such as ransomware attacks, data breaches, and system downtime and cover a wide range of costs, including operational disruptions, legal fees, reputational damage, remediation efforts, and regulatory fines.

As businesses increasingly depend on technology, their digital assets—like client records, business data, and operational systems—become more valuable but also more vulnerable. Protecting these critical resources should be a top priority, but managing this alone can be overwhelming.

That’s where cyber insurance steps in, coming usually with expert support to help businesses respond effectively when issues arise.

Why small businesses need cyber insurance

Cyber insurance helps reduce financial risk

Cyber insurance doesn’t replace strong cybersecurity practices—it complements them.

It helps businesses manage the financial impact of a cyber incident by sharing the burden with an insurer.

The costs of a cyber incident can add up fast and depend on factors like the type of attack, the size of the business, and the downtime involved. Typical expenses include:

Expert incident response and guidance
Legal and regulatory fees
Privacy breach notifications
Digital forensic investigations
Stolen funds
Ransom payments
System repairs and rebuilds
Data recovery
Income loss from downtime
Third-party liability claims
Regulatory fines and penalties

While strong cybersecurity practices remain essential, having a policy offers a safety net for potential financial losses and a partnership with an experienced provider can be invaluable during crises.

Types of cyber insurance coverage for small businesses

Cyber insurance generally falls into two categories: first-party coverage and third-party coverage.

1. First-Party Cyber Insurance

This type of coverage helps businesses recover from financial losses they face directly after a cyber incident. It’s designed to protect your business when its own systems or data are affected.

Here’s what it typically covers:

Incident Response: Support and advice during a cyber event, including legal guidance, removing malware, investigating the cause, and notifying people if their data was breached.
System Damage and Downtime: Restoring your computer systems and data, and covering lost income while systems are down.
Cybercrime: Recovering stolen funds (e.g., from hackers or scams), and even reimbursing ransom payments if needed (but highly controversial as it is not recommended to pay attackers).

Related: Case Study: Ransomware Attack Hits a Small Clinic

If your business relies on computers, stores sensitive data, or transfers money online, first-party coverage is a smart choice.

2. Third-Party Cyber Insurance

This type of coverage protects your business if someone else (like a customer or client) sues you because of a cyber incident involving their data or systems.

Here’s what it usually covers:

Damages: Costs you’re legally required to pay to others.
Legal Fees: The expense of defending yourself in court, including paying the other party’s costs if needed.
Fines and Penalties: Regulatory fines for failing to protect data properly.

This type of insurance is especially helpful for businesses that handle sensitive client data or manage customer systems, like tech companies, financial institutions, healthcare providers, and retailers.

How cyber insurance works

Applying for cyber insurance

When you apply for cyber insurance, the insurer evaluates your business’s cyber risk. This often involves analyzing your security practices and identifying potential vulnerabilities. The goal is to provide coverage tailored to your specific risks.

What’s covered

Cyber insurance policies cover a wide range of cyber risks, such as:

Cybercrime, like data breaches or ransomware.
Incidents caused by employee mistakes.
Attacks by rogue employees or insiders.

However, most policies don’t cover:

Pre-existing incidents (issues that happened before you got the policy).
Costs to upgrade or improve your systems.
Cyber events caused by ignoring known vulnerabilities.

What happens when you file a cyber insurance claim?

If a cyber incident occurs, the claims process usually follows these steps:

Report the incident: Notify your insurer through an app, email, phone, or website—often available 24/7.
Initial support: A technical expert quickly assesses the situation, providing advice to contain the issue and minimize damage.
Claims management: A dedicated claims handler works with your team to guide the process and coordinate with external partners if needed.
Updates and closure: Regular updates are provided throughout, and a final report summarizes what happened and how it was resolved.

Costs and premiums

The cost of cyber insurance can vary, but one thing is clear: the premiums are much more affordable than the potential cost of dealing with a cyber incident. Investing in cyber insurance can save your business significant financial stress in the long run.

Here are the key factors that influence the cost of a policy:

Business Size and Industry: Larger businesses or those in high-risk industries (like finance or healthcare) may pay more.
Annual Revenue: The more your business earns, the higher your potential exposure—and the premium.
Sensitive Data Volume: Businesses handling large amounts of personal or financial data are seen as higher risk.
Cybersecurity Posture: Strong cybersecurity measures can lower your premium, as they reduce the risk of incidents.
Prevention Services Included: Some policies include proactive services, like threat monitoring, which can influence the overall cost.

Improve your chances of qualifying for cyber insurance

Cyber insurance provides peace of mind, allowing you to focus on growth and innovation without worrying about the unexpected. But it’s important to note that insurers often require businesses to have solid cybersecurity measures in place. So the first step is to make sure you choose the best cybersecurity solution for your company. If you own a small business with up to 25 employees, take a look at Bitdefender Small Business Ultimate Security.

It's an all-in-one solution designed to provide exceptional protection against all digital threats for you and your employees.

Here's what it offers:

Email Protection: Automatically scans and blocks phishing emails, suspicious links, and fake invoices, preventing employees from clicking on malicious content.
Scam Detection: The Scam Copilot monitors emails, texts, and chats for signs of fraud. It alerts you and your team to potential scams and offers real-time guidance on how to handle them.
Password Management: Simplify security with Password Manager, which generates strong, complex passwords that align with best practices.
Secured Remote Work: A built-in VPN ensures your team is protected from unsafe public Wi-Fi networks, like those in coffee shops or airports. It guarantees secure communication between remote employees and your business systems.
Device Protection: Provides real-time detection and blocking of malware, including viruses, ransomware, and spyware, across all your team's laptops and smartphones.
Digital Identity Monitoring: Keeps an eye on your business's online presence, alerting you to data leaks, unauthorized use of your business name, or exposure of sensitive information—even on the dark web and breaches.

Check out the plans here.

FAQs

What does cyber insurance cover for small businesses?

Cyber insurance typically covers financial losses resulting from cyber incidents, including ransomware attacks, data breaches, and system downtime. Policies may include coverage for incident response, legal fees, regulatory fines, data recovery, and business interruptions.

Do I need cyber insurance if I already have strong cybersecurity measures?

Yes, cyber insurance works alongside your cybersecurity measures to provide an extra layer of protection. While strong security reduces your risk, cyber insurance helps cover financial losses and provides expert support in case an incident occurs.

How can I qualify for a cyber insurance policy?

To qualify for cyber insurance, most insurers require businesses to demonstrate good cybersecurity practices, such as using advanced security solutions like Bitdefender Small Business Ultimate Security, training employees to recognize threats, and keeping systems up to date.

Is it worth having cyber insurance if I have a small business?

Yes, cyber insurance is worth it for small businesses. Cyber incidents, such as ransomware or data breaches, can result in significant financial losses that many small businesses might struggle to recover from. Cyber insurance provides financial protection and expert support, helping your business recover quickly and continue operating.

How much does cyber insurance cost for a small business?

Cyber insurance costs vary depending on your business size, industry, annual revenue, cybersecurity measures, and the amount of sensitive data you handle. Small businesses with strong security practices often pay lower premiums.

Does cyber insurance cover ransomware?

Many cyber insurance policies cover ransomware-related costs, including incident response, forensic investigations, system recovery, and business interruption. Some policies may also cover ransom payments, although paying attackers is generally discouraged.

What is not covered by cyber insurance?

Most policies don't cover incidents that occurred before the policy began, losses caused by ignoring known security vulnerabilities, or the cost of upgrading outdated systems after an attack. Coverage varies by insurer.