Home Cyber Protection

Security solutions for individuals and families

Highlights of coverage, terms and conditions

Computers, tablets, smart phones and other connected technology are a critical and integral part of homeowners’ personal lives. These same systems that make your home life more enjoyable and comfortable also create new opportunities for cyber attackers to infiltrate your home. This access to data can then be used to steal information, extort money and commit fraud.

Individuals and families like you face many of the same risks corporations face including malware attacks and online fraud. Hackers are no longer focused only on large corporate targets and will search for more vulnerable targets such as homeowners. Families today are more connected than ever before with computers, phones, entertainment systems, household appliances and the “smart” home with programmable lights, doors and thermostats. Yet with all these connections that make life easier, today’s individuals and families are now exposed to a range of personal cyber risks.

Home Cyber Protection Coverage goes beyond any personal cyber insurance currently available by combining coverage for:

  • Computer attack
  • Home systems attack
  • Cyber extortion
  • Online fraud

Father and young son talking at dinner table.

Home Cyber Protection Coverage adds significant cyber insurance coverages to your homeowners policy including:

  • Pays to recover data and restore systems that have been lost or damaged due to a cyber attack - including attacks involving malware or unauthorized use of owned or leased computers, mobile devices and connected home devices
  • Provides payments and professional assistance in responding to cyber extortion demands based on a credible threat to damage, disable, deny access to or disseminate content from devices, systems or data
  • Covers online fraud that results in a direct financial loss to the covered policyholder

Affordable coverage protection

Home Cyber Protection Coverage is a bundled coverage that protects families from losses such as compromised data on personal computers, mobile devices and other connected home technology, as well as damage to software and operating systems. This coverage can be added to a homeowners/renters policy and covers the individuals and family members of the household.

Additional services at no extra cost

Homeowners can also take advantage of:

  • Access to experts in cyber extortion
  • Claims managed by experienced cyber claim specialists

Limits of Liability and Deductible

Limits: Coverage limit options of $25,000 and $50,000 per policy annual aggregate limit
Deductible: $500 per occurrence

Claims Examples

Speak to your local Mercury Insurance agent to learn how to add Home Cyber Protection to your homeowners insurance package.

Claim Scenario 1

Cyber Attack - An insured opened a file in an email he received and the email unleashed a virus. In addition, the virus infected the computer forcing the insured to hire an outside expert to reformat the hard drive, reinstall the operating system and all the software, and restore data from the backup.

Total Paid Loss: $1,200

Claim Scenario 2

Extortion - The insured received a ransom note on his computer after he noticed his files were locked. The email informed him that the files were encrypted and to obtain the decryption key he needed to pay $2,000. If the insured failed to pay within the week, the price would go up to $3,000. After that his decryption key would be destroyed and any chance of accessing his files would be lost forever. The insured consulted with his carrier and they determined that the threat was credible; a payment was advisable.

Total Paid Loss: $2,000

1Additional coverage(s) provided by The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company may be subject to certain restrictions and limitations and may not be available in all states.

© 2020 The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. All rights reserved. This document is intended for information purposes only and does not modify or invalidate any of the provisions, exclusions, terms or conditions of the policy and endorsements. For specific terms and conditions, please refer to the coverage form.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Home Cyber Protection Coverage?

Mercury Insurance Home Cyber Protection Coverage is a suite of coverages and services built to respond to computer and home system attacks, cyber extortion, and online fraud involving smartphones, computers and connected home devices.

Who needs this coverage?

If you're looking to protect yourself and your family from problems created by an increasingly connected world, this coverage is for you.

Who is eligible for this coverage?

Home Cyber Protection Coverage can be added to your existing Mercury Insurance homeowners, condo, or renters insurance policy. Home Cyber Protection Coverage extends to all family members in your household.

Why is this coverage needed?

Privacy and security are major concerns for both homeowners and renters. If you’re looking for a way to protect you and your family’s privacy and security with meaningful, reliable insurance then Home Cyber Protection Coverage is right for you. 
Privacy and security concerns are growing quickly for several reasons:

  • The rapid growth in connected home technology and smart devices is creating the increased need to protect data, systems and software from computer attacks.
  • Criminal activities such as cyber extortion and online fraud also threaten homeowners and renters with financial loss.

Mercury Insurance Home Cyber Protection Coverage goes beyond most personal cyber insurance available by combining coverage for: computer attacks, home systems attacks, cyber extortion and online fraud.

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