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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin'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 with client requirements.

General Liability

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

Commercial Property

• Office space, servers, networking equipment, and furnishings
• Protection against fire, theft, and water damage at your Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin's Fair Employment Act
• Harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation claims
• Particularly relevant for growing tech firms scaling headcount quickly
• Defense costs and settlements in Wisconsin's employment courts

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

Workers' Compensation

• Required by Wisconsin 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; Wisconsin DOL audits employers actively

Even a desk-based Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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.

WI Data Breach Notification Law

Wisconsin's data breach statute (Wis. Stat. 134.98) requires businesses maintaining computerized records of personal information to notify affected residents "in the most expedient time possible" after discovering a breach. For Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin Corporate Client Requirements

Companies like Harley-Davidson and Epic Systems 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.

WI Fair Employment Act

Wisconsin's Fair Employment Act is among the broadest state anti-discrimination statutes, covering more protected classes than federal law and applying to employers of any size. The competitive tech hiring market creates real EPLI exposure, with claims often filed in Wisconsin courts.

WI Independent Contractor Classification

Wisconsin applies specific tests for worker classification. Tech firms relying on 1099 contractors should confirm classification carefully - a contractor who works primarily for one firm may not satisfy independent contractor status, exposing the firm to Workers' Compensation back-premium assessments.