Cyber Insurance Readiness Check for Small Businesses
Your broker sent a cyber insurance questionnaire and you are not sure you can honestly check every box. That is the right worry. Carriers now ask whether controls are enforced, not just whether you bought a tool, and your answers can become conditions of the policy.
The Cyber Insurance Readiness Check is a remote review of your real environment, done before you submit the application or renew. You get a plain list of what passes, what does not, and what to fix first.
Why this matters
Cyber insurance applications are getting harder to pass, and the numbers show why.
- According to Delinea's 2023 State of Cyber Insurance report, 28% of small companies that applied for cyber insurance were denied coverage, compared with 8% of large companies.
- In the same report, the top reason small companies were denied was a lack of security protocols, named by 40% of respondents.
- A Beazley cyber insurance application asks whether MFA is required for all users' email access and remote access, whether backups are kept offline or secure, and whether critical internet exposed patches are installed within 28 days.
- Hiscox says small business cyber insurance starts at $30 per month, so a cheap premium does not mean an easy approval.
Watch the 30 second overview
Two ways to get ready for a cyber insurance application.
What do cyber insurance underwriters ask small businesses?
- Multi factor authentication: email, remote access, admin accounts, backup consoles, and any exceptions. Partial coverage is usually treated as no.
- Backups: offline or separated from your network, and tested for restore.
- Endpoint detection and response on every device.
- Patching, end of life systems, and security awareness training records.
- A written incident response plan and wire transfer verification steps.
Requirements differ by carrier and coverage amount, so your broker's questionnaire is the final word. We work from it.
How it works
- Call or send us the questionnaire, ideally 60 to 90 days before renewal.
- We review your Microsoft 365 or Google settings, devices, backups and policies remotely.
- You get a written findings list with each answer marked ready, fixable, or not true yet.
- We help you close gaps and keep the evidence your broker or carrier may ask for.
How much does the readiness check cost?
| Seats | Fixed price |
|---|---|
| 5 to 15 | $995 |
| 16 to 30 | $1,495 |
| 31 to 50 | $2,250 |
Larger than 50 seats? Call for a quote. We do not sell insurance and we cannot promise a policy will be issued or a claim paid. We make sure your answers are accurate and you can back them up.
Is a readiness check worth it before you apply?
A denied application or a disputed claim costs far more than a readiness check. Marking MFA as enforced when it is not is the kind of mistake that can come back at claim time. Checking first lets you fix the gaps on your schedule, not the carrier's.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my business will pass a cyber insurance application?
Compare the questionnaire to your real settings, not your assumptions. Carriers look for enforced MFA, tested backups kept offline, endpoint protection, staff training, patching and a written incident response plan. A readiness check tests each item in your environment and tells you which answers you can honestly give.
Does cyber insurance require MFA everywhere?
Carriers ask exactly where it is enforced, so expect questions about email, remote access and admin accounts. Partial rollout, such as MFA for some staff only, often counts as no. Read the wording on your own application, because requirements differ by carrier and coverage amount.
What happens if I answer the application wrong?
Your answers can become conditions of the policy. If you say MFA covers all remote access and an unprotected entry point is used in an attack, the carrier may dispute the claim or try to cancel the policy. Check only boxes you can prove, and have someone review them first.
How much does cyber insurance cost for a small business?
Hiscox says small business cyber insurance starts at about $30 a month, though the price depends on your industry, coverage limit and deductible. Your broker gives the real quote. The premium is usually small next to the cost of a denied application or a disputed claim.
Why was my cyber insurance application denied?
The most common reason is missing security basics. In Delinea's 2023 survey, 28% of small companies that applied were denied, and lack of security protocols was the top reason at 40%. Ask your broker which question failed, fix that control, then reapply with evidence.
How much does the Cyber Insurance Readiness Check cost?
It is a fixed price by seat count: $995 for 5 to 15 seats, $1,495 for 16 to 30, and $2,250 for 31 to 50. There are no hourly surprises. Fixing the gaps we find is separate, and we quote that before any work begins.
How long does a readiness check take?
Most small businesses get findings within days of giving us remote access, depending on how fast you can answer questions. Start 60 to 90 days before renewal so there is time to fix gaps. Call 469-248-5463 and we will say what fits your renewal date.
Can you guarantee I will get coverage or a lower premium?
No. Carriers make the underwriting decision and set the price. We find and help fix the control gaps that commonly cause declined applications, so your answers are accurate and your evidence is organized. Anyone promising approval or a specific premium before the carrier reviews you is guessing.
Start Today With a Security Readiness Kit
Prefer to work at your own pace? Our editable Word templates put your policies and checklists on paper in plain English. Every tier includes an explainer video.
Starter Kit
Ten ready to customize security policies and four checklists, as editable Word templates in plain English.
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Everything in Starter, plus a cyber insurance readiness checklist pack and a 30 day implementation guide.
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The full kit, plus HIPAA and WISP template add on packs and IRS references for tax preparers.
Buy the Complete KitSee every document in each tier in the full Security Kit details.
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Call 469-248-5463. Remote service for Hood County, DFW and anywhere in the US.