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 Ohio 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 Ohio's Data Breach Notification 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 for Ohio clients in financial services and healthcare.

General Liability

• Bodily injury or property damage to third parties at your Ohio 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 Ohio client MSAs require both.

Commercial Property

• Office space, servers, networking equipment, and furnishings
• Protection against fire, theft, and water damage at your Ohio 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.

Employment Practices Liability (EPLI)

• Discrimination claims under Ohio law, which is broad and protective
• Harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation claims
• Particularly relevant for growing tech firms scaling headcount quickly
• Defense costs and settlements in Ohio's employment courts

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

Workers' Compensation

• Required by Ohio 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; Ohio DOL audits employers actively

Even a desk-based Ohio 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 Ohio 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.

Ohio Data Breach Notification Law

Ohio's data breach statute requires businesses maintaining computerized records of personal information to notify affected residents "in the most expedient time possible" after discovering a breach. For Ohio IT firms managing client systems or storing customer data, this obligation applies regardless of firm size, and Cyber Liability insurance covers the notification, credit monitoring, and forensic costs that follow.

Major Ohio Corporate Client Requirements

Companies like Nationwide and Cardinal Health maintain vendor risk management programs with specific insurance requirements before granting systems access or signing a master services agreement - typically including E&O, Cyber, GL, and Umbrella minimums. We review these vendor insurance exhibits before binding to ensure your program satisfies the exact requirements.

Ohio Law Against Discrimination

Ohio's anti-discrimination laws are broad and protective, applying to employers of any size. The competitive tech hiring market creates real EPLI exposure, with claims often filed in Ohio courts where outcomes can be unpredictable.

Ohio Independent Contractor Classification

Ohio applies specific tests for worker classification. Tech firms relying on 1099 contractors should confirm classification carefully, as misclassification can expose the firm to Workers' Compensation back-premium assessments.