Technology E&O (Combined E&O + Cyber)

• Professional liability for negligence, mistakes, or failure to deliver IT services or solutions
• Cyber liability for data breach response, ransomware, and system downtime in a single form
• Particularly efficient for MSPs whose professional and cyber exposures are tightly linked
• Claims-made with retroactive date - protects work performed before the current policy period
• Common limits: $1M/$1M for independent consultants; $2M-$5M for firms serving larger Illinois clients

If you manage a client's network, a breach on systems under your management can generate both a professional liability claim and a cyber claim - a combined Tech E&O form covers both without a coverage gap.

Cyber Liability (Standalone)

• Data breach response: client notification, credit monitoring, forensic investigation
• Ransomware extortion payments and system recovery costs
• Business interruption from a cyber event affecting your own or client operations
• Regulatory fines and notification costs under Illinois law
• Social engineering and funds transfer fraud where endorsed

If your firm doesn't combine E&O and Cyber into one Technology E&O form, a standalone Cyber policy is still essential - Illinois clients increasingly require proof of Cyber coverage.

General Liability

• Bodily injury or property damage to third parties at your Illinois office or during client site visits
• Personal and advertising injury (libel, slander in marketing materials)
• Additional Insured endorsements for commercial landlords or co-working spaces
• Often bundled with Commercial Property in a BOP for firms with a physical office

GL covers premises and operational liability - not the professional errors that are the core IT exposure (that's E&O). Most Illinois client MSAs require both, since GL and E&O cover entirely different claim types.

Commercial Property

• Office space, servers, networking equipment, and furnishings
• Protection against fire, theft, and water damage at your Illinois location
• Business Income / Extra Expense if a covered property loss disrupts operations
• Equipment replacement cost valuation recommended given hardware costs

If you host any infrastructure on-premise, confirm your property limits reflect current replacement cost, not depreciated value. Many Illinois co-working spaces' master policies don't cover tenant equipment.

Employment Practices Liability (EPLI)

• Discrimination claims under Illinois law, which is broader than federal law
• Harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation claims
• Particularly relevant for growing tech firms scaling headcount quickly
• Defense costs and settlements in Illinois' plaintiff-favorable employment courts

Tech firms scaling fast in a competitive Illinois talent market face elevated EPLI risk during rapid hiring and inevitable performance-based terminations.

Workers' Compensation

• Required by Illinois law for any firm with employees
• Covers ergonomic strain, slip-and-fall, and other workplace injuries
• Employers Liability (Coverage B) protects against employee negligence suits
• Non-compliance fines can be significant; Illinois DOL audits employers actively

Even a desk-based Illinois tech firm carries WC exposure - repetitive strain injuries and office incidents are common claims.

Crime & Commercial Umbrella

• Crime: employee theft, fraud, or dishonesty - critical for firms with access to client systems or finances
• Commercial Umbrella: $1M-$10M+ excess liability above GL, Auto, and Employers Liability
• Umbrella frequently required by major Illinois corporate clients
• Crime coverage relevant for MSPs with privileged access to client financial or operational systems

A firm with administrative access to client networks carries a meaningful internal-theft exposure that GL and Cyber don't address.

Illinois Data Breach Notification Law

Illinois law requires businesses maintaining computerized records of personal information to notify affected residents "in the most expedient time possible" after discovering a breach. For Illinois IT firms managing client systems or storing customer data, this obligation applies regardless of firm size, and Cyber Liability insurance is essential for covering the notification and associated costs.

Major Illinois Corporate Client Requirements

Companies like Caterpillar, Allstate, and Motorola Solutions maintain vendor risk management programs with specific insurance requirements before granting systems access or signing contracts - typically including E&O, Cyber, GL, and Umbrella minimums. We review these vendor insurance exhibits before binding to ensure your program meets the exact requirements.

Illinois Law Against Discrimination

Illinois' anti-discrimination laws are comprehensive, covering a wide range of protected classes and applying to employers of any size. The competitive tech hiring market in Illinois creates real EPLI exposure, with claims often filed in favor of plaintiffs.

Illinois Independent Contractor Classification

Illinois applies strict criteria for worker classification. Tech firms relying on contractors should confirm classification carefully, as misclassification can expose the firm to Workers' Compensation back-premium assessments.