Laura John's apparent surprise in finding that most Technology E&O policies do not address unauthorized access is a small surprise in itself. Although there is a long slow "learning curve" associated with insurance producers REALLY understanding the coverage provided by "cyber" policies (versus other types of policies), what is almost immediately evident to a serious student of liability insurance, is that a tech E&O policy is by no means any sort of substitute for appropriate "cyber" liability insurance; generally, if an entity is providing a technology product, or is providing technology services AND selling such product/services on line, then BOTH exposures must be dealt with effectivly, and with the exception of just a couple of insurance products which properly combine the two exposures, separate insurance products are usually required.

Dick Clarke, CPCU, CIC, RPLU
J. SMith Lanier & Co.
Atlanta

In response to Mr. Clarke's e-mail, I was not suprised as we did the original survey. My comments were more directed to a competitor using someone else's stats without any citation. As we have authored many of the polices which combine both the services' exposure and the cyber exposure, we do understand. Please feel free to review our forms which are available on this site (click on the Visit our Website link on the nav bar on the left).

That being said, as you correctly point out, we must continue to be serious students of evolving exposures and adjust our products accordingly.

We greatly appreciate your comments.