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 closely 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 Washington clients

If you manage a client's network or cloud infrastructure, a breach 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 operations
• Regulatory fines and notification costs under Washington's Data Breach Notification Law
• Social engineering and funds transfer fraud where endorsed

A standalone Cyber policy is essential for Washington clients in financial services and healthcare, who increasingly require proof of Cyber coverage.

General Liability

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

Commercial Property

• Office space, servers, networking equipment, and furnishings
• Protection against fire, theft, and water damage at your Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington's plaintiff-favorable employment courts

Tech firms in Washington face elevated EPLI risk during rapid hiring and performance-based terminations.

Workers' Compensation

• Required by Washington 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; Washington DOL audits employers actively

Even a desk-based 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 Washington 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.

WA Data Breach Notification Law

Washington's data breach statute requires businesses maintaining computerized records of personal information to notify affected residents promptly after discovering a breach. For Washington 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 Washington Corporate Client Requirements

Companies like Microsoft and Amazon maintain vendor risk management programs with specific insurance requirements before granting systems access or signing contracts. Typical requirements include E&O, Cyber, GL, and Umbrella minimums, plus Additional Insured and Primary & Noncontributory wording. We review these vendor insurance exhibits before binding to ensure compliance.

WA Law Against Discrimination

Washington's anti-discrimination laws are comprehensive, covering a wide range of protected classes. The competitive tech hiring market creates real EPLI exposure, with claims often filed in favor of plaintiffs in employment disputes.

WA Independent Contractor Classification

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