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
• 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 West Virginia clients

If you manage a client's network or cloud infrastructure, a breach can lead to both professional liability and cyber claims. 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 West Virginia'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 compliance and client requirements.

General Liability

• Bodily injury or property damage to third parties at your 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 West Virginia client contracts require both.

Commercial Property

• Office space, servers, networking equipment, and furnishings
• Protection against fire, theft, and water damage at your 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, ensure your property limits reflect current replacement costs, not depreciated value.

Employment Practices Liability (EPLI)

• Discrimination claims under West Virginia law, broader than federal law
• Harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation claims
• Particularly relevant for growing tech firms scaling headcount quickly
• Defense costs and settlements in West Virginia's employment courts

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

Workers' Compensation

• Required by West Virginia law for any firm with employees
• Covers ergonomic strain, slip-and-fall, and other workplace injuries
• Employers Liability protects against employee negligence suits
• Non-compliance fines can be significant; audits are common

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 large West Virginia 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.

WV Data Breach Notification Law

West Virginia'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 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 forensic costs that follow.

Major West Virginia Corporate Client Requirements

Local enterprises 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.

WV Law Against Discrimination

West Virginia's anti-discrimination laws cover a range of protected classes and apply to employers of any size. The competitive tech hiring market creates real EPLI exposure, with claims often filed in local courts.

WV Independent Contractor Classification

West Virginia applies specific tests for worker classification. Tech firms relying on contractors should confirm classification carefully to avoid potential liabilities.