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Not All (Cyber) Policies Are Created Equal

Not All (Cyber) Policies Are Created Equal

Written by: Staff Writer | December 29, 2025

Cyber Coverage – Endorsement vs. Stand-alone Policy

Many business owners feel at ease by being able to say, “Yes, I have cyber,” when in actuality they have very limited coverage. They assume adding a cyber endorsement to their package policy is enough, but the reality is that endorsements often leave critical gaps. Review the below comparison to see if your policy is meeting your needs.

How Does Your Policy Compare

Cyber Endorsement (Add-on to Package Policy) Stand-alone Cyber Policy
PROS

  • Convenient: Added to existing policy
  • Lower cost: Typically $100–$500 annually
  • Meets baseline: Basic coverage for small exposures

CONS

  • Low limits: Usually $50,000–$250,000
  • Limited scope: Often covers only breach notification and some legal defense
  • Excludes major risks: Ransomware, business interruption, social engineering, regulatory fines
  • Help: Offers minimal risk management resources
PROS

  • Higher limits: $1 million–$10 million or more
  • Comprehensive coverage:
    • Ransomware/extortion
    • Business interruption
    • Social engineering fraud
    • Regulatory fines and penalties
    • Invoice manipulation
  • Post-breach aid: Incident response team, forensic services, and breach coaches
  • Prevention: Access to cybersecurity tools and training

CONS

  • Higher premium: $1,000–$10,000+ depending on revenue and risk profile
  • More complicated: Separate underwriting process

The Bottom Line

Endorsements are entry-level protection, suitable for small businesses with minimal cyber exposure, and even then, it might not be enough. For any company handling sensitive data, conducting online transactions, or relying on IT systems, a stand-alone policy is strongly recommended.

Written by

Staff Writer
|
December 29, 2025

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