Mercury Insurance launches Home Cyber Protection Coverage

Mercury Insurance announced that it is offering Home Cyber Protection Coverage to homeowners and renters in California. This new coverage will provide Mercury policyholders with cyber insurance protection that includes payment and security solutions for computer and home system attacks, cyber extortion, online fraud and the breach of personal information involving smartphones, computers and connected home devices.

“Homeowners and renters have enjoyed the added convenience provided by computers, tablets and smartphones, but these devices create new opportunities for cyber criminals to infiltrate your home. Mercury is here to protect its customers from cyber threats, and the coverage can be added to an existing homeowners or renters insurance policy and protects families when using such devices both at and away from home.” – Jane Li, Mercury’s director of product management.

Home Cyber Protection Coverage will cost as little as $2.50 each month and includes the following:

• Payments to recover data and restore systems that have been lost or damaged due to a cyber attack – including ransomware attacks involving malware or unauthorized use of devices.
• Professional assistance by cyber extortion experts when responding to ransom demands.
• Protection from online fraud that results in a direct financial loss to a covered policyholder.

Mercury’s Home Cyber Protection Coverage is initiated upon the insured’s discovery of a cyber attack, cyber extortion threat or fraud event. Individuals and families who discover the triggering event during the policy period and report the claim within 60 days will have full coverage from losses caused by cyber attacks. Coverage can be added mid-term, and limit options of $25,000 and $50,000 per year are available.

Li added, “An example of a cyber attack claim is if you receive a ransom demand on a computer after noticing your files are locked. The demand states that you need to pay $2,000. Mercury will review the claim and if credible, cover the insured’s loss.”

Currently, Mercury’s Home Cyber Protection Coverage is available to Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia homeowners and renters.