All sorts of small businesses today possess the "personally identifiable information" of the people with whom they do business: patients, clients, customers, employees, vendors, and contractors. This information needs to be well guarded - otherwise, the financial consequences can be painful!
Personal information involves any number of items that are a combination of a person's name, social security number, driver's license number, credit card numbers, etc. We now have data privacy laws requiring companies to protect personal information, impose notification requirements, and levy fines in the event that this information is improperly released or stolen from the company. Many companies today have established controls to safeguard personal information. However, an improper dissemination of personal information can occur and leave the business with a host of expenses, such as: the cost to notify affected individuals, investigation expenses, credit monitoring expenses, and legal expenses.
There are insurance policies designed to provide protection for these exposures. In creating the insurance policy, it is critical to arrange the coverage properly. Every business has its own unique exposure to "personally identifiable information". Please contact us if you wish to review your exposure and your insurance options.