Category Archives: Insurance

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Boards Are Failing at Cyber, New Report Finds

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SAN FRANCISCO—Information security executives are telling boards what they want to hear, not what they need to hear, and boards are frequently not asking the right questions or understanding the responses, according to a report released today by Bay Dynamics at the RSA Conference.

“The report reveals that both the board and security professionals are not doing their jobs when it comes to security reporting,” said Feris Rifai, co-founder and CEO at Bay Dynamics. “The board isn’t holding IT and security executives accountable for providing accurate, traceable and actionable information and security executives are failing to report information that is accurate, traceable and actionable. Both parties must do better if they want to make the right decisions that minimize their cyberrisk”.

While the majority surveyed say they know what to present to the board, only two in five IT and security executives feel that the information they provide to the board is actionable, and even fewer believe they are getting the help they need from the board to address cyber security threats. This may be in part because of the ongoing struggle to fully understand and measure cyberrisk exposure and the costs of failure.

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Just over half of boards expressed a strong preference for qualitative information, while 38% have a preference for quantitative data. To truly make appropriate decisions, however, the board must focus more on quantitative information in context, meaning qualitative information must be wrapped around quantitative information, the report explained.

Regardless of what information they provide, only a third of IT and security executives believe the board understands the information they are given about cyber threats. In turn, only 39% think they are getting the support they need from the board to address threats. Some other major issues these executives identified in their reporting included:

cyberrisk information reported to board

While 36% of boards want recommendations for additional spending and 34% want recommendations to reduce cybersecurity spending, boards are getting little data about the specifics of information security investments. The most common type of information reported about cybersecurity issues is known vulnerabilities within the organizational systems, followed by recommendations about cybersecurity program improvements and specific details on data loss incidents, Bay reported, while information about the cost of cybersecurity programs and details about expenditures on specific projects or controls are not as commonly reported.

cyberrisk information reported to board

Reporting is also relatively infrequent for such a rapidly evolving high-risk exposure, with most executives only presenting to the board quarterly, and 18% even less frequently.

reporting frequency

Looking forward, Bay Dynamics had the following suggestions for how both boards and IT and security executives can improve:

Issues the board must address:

  • The board is not doing its job when it comes to effectively managing cyberrisk.
  • Boards of directors must hold IT and security executives accountable for providing accurate, actionable information about their cyberrisk to help the board make effective decisions about their cybersecurity programs.
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    Boards cannot make decisions about what they consider acceptable risk if they don’t have actionable information.

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  • Boards must demand actionable information from IT and security executives about their cyberrisk since the board is responsible for the company’s risk appetite. Strengthening their cyberrisk program begins with the board.

Issues IT and security executives must address:

  • IT and security executives must communicate to their boards more effectively and more completely using quantitative and qualitative information. They should communicate the value of data at risk using numbers that explain what it is and how to take action to protect it.
  • Given that board members in many organizations are typically less technical than the IT and security executives reporting to them, the latter must contextualize the information in order to make it both understandable and actionable.

Driverless Cars Not a Concern, Allstate Says

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Driverless car

Driverless cars are becoming more of a reality, with testing in full swing by Google and others, and software upgrades underway for existing models of Tesla cars. One industry that will be impacted by larger number of safe vehicles on the road is the auto insurance industry. One insurer, Allstate, is carefully following the progress being made, but emphasized safety over possible diminishing profits. In its annual report for 2015, Allstate wrote:

Consider what is happening with autonomous cars. Today, only modest levels of driver-assistance technology are available, and only on a limited set of vehicles. However, the technology for fully autonomous cars is advancing rapidly and the legal and regulatory framework will follow. At some point, the fleet of a quarter-billion vehicles could be smaller and will include technologically sophisticated vehicles that are safer, more effective and efficient. Fewer, safer cars would benefit consumers and the environment, but could affect demand for auto insurance.

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The financial squeeze that autonomous cars could put on the insurance industry has been expected for years, The Chicago Tribune noted. In 2012, financial technology consulting firm Celent published “A Scenario: The End of Auto Insurance: What Happens When There Are (Almost) No Accidents?

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”

While Allstate states that demand for auto insurance could diminish, it points out that this is not a concern. “Some industry participants are waiting to see how this will play out. Allstate is not,” the insurer said, adding:

We are moving forward into uncertainty rather than wait. Throughout our history, Allstate has led from the front on auto safety—for example, as an early proponent of seat belts and air bags. We support the introduction of new driver-assistance technology that makes driving safer, because this is about saving lives and protecting the hopes and dreams of those who depend on us. We are confident Allstate will thrive in whatever new world emerges because of a differentiated strategy, strong brands, passionate agency partners and committed employees. Preparations for a new and different future are well under way.

Lance J. Ewing, hospitality and leisure industry practice group leader with AIG, previously told Risk Management magazine, “With more than five million vehicle accidents in the U.S. resulting in over 30,000 deaths, any enhancement is welcome, but there may be collateral results from the driverless highways.”

Competition Drives Commercial Rates Down 4% in January

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The composite rate for property and casualty business placed in the United States measured minus 4% in January. Rates dropped from minus 2% in December 2015 to minus 5% in January 2016, MarketScout reported.

“Commercial property insurers are getting ready to scratch each other’s eyes out as they fight for market share,” said Richard Kerr, CEO of MarketScout. “We see nothing to PC Trendsprevent commercial property rates from dropping further.”

In addition to commercial property, business interruption, BOPs, professional liability, and D&O coverages were all more competitively priced in January compared to December 2015. Umbrella/Excess liability and workers compensation rates actually increased slightly over the same period, he said.

Transportation companies were assessed rate decreases of 4% in January 2016 versus 2% in December 2015. Rates for manufacturing and energy accounts were slightly higher in January 2016 than in December 2015. All other industries remained unchanged.

By accounts size, rates for small and medium sized accounts (all under $250,000) were more competitive in January 2016 than in the prior month. Large and jumbo accounts (over 250,001) were assessed rates slightly higher in January versus December.

Summary of the January 2016 rates by coverage, industry class and account size:
Coverage2 Industry3 Account

Time for Post-Storm Claims Filing

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Record-breaking Storm Jonas, which struck a large portion of the East Coast last weekend, was yet another reminder to have property insurance policies up to date and be familiar with claims procedures. To get the claims process moving, risk professionals whose business suffered damage should contact their insurer and broker as soon as possible.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, business owners need to:

▪ Fill out claims forms as soon as possible—including a “proof of loss” form, which must be completed within 60 days.

▪ Make a list of damaged property; the more detailed the better. Take photos or video to back up the claim.

▪ Be prepared to show the adjuster the damaged property as well as financial records or other documents.

▪ Get at least two bids for repairs or replacements.

▪ Keep copies of all correspondence regarding the claim and note the name, title and phone number of everyone you speak with. For more details, see Filing a Business Insurance Claim.

 What Is, and Is Not, Covered 

Business property owners also need to understand what is and is not covered by insurance, and the various coverage options available to protect their business. Property damage is typically covered under a business owners policy (BOP) or through a commercial multi-peril (CMP) policy.

Most commercial property policies provide either:

▪ Replacement cost coverage – pays to rebuild or repair the property, based on current construction costs.

▪ Actual cash value coverage – pays to rebuild or replace the property minus depreciation

Depreciation is a decrease in value due to wear and tear or age so with actual cash value coverage a business that is destroyed may not be in a position to completely rebuild. Business owners can also opt for a combination of both types of coverage.

Business income insurance, also known as business interruption, is typically included in a BOP or CMP and provides coverage for:

▪ Revenue lost due to the closure.

▪ Fixed expenses, such as rent and utility costs.

▪ Expenses of operating from a temporary location.

To receive appropriate reimbursement from business interruption coverage, there must be direct physical damage to the property resulting from an insured event. Also, there is generally a 24- to 48-hour waiting period before business income coverage kicks in.

Determining a business interruption loss involves establishing what the business would have earned had there been no loss. Insurers will consider past tax returns, profit and loss statements, projected sales and non-continuing expenses.

If basic business interruption insurance and property insurance coverage was expanded to include utility interruption, you may be covered if either electrical or water service was discontinued as a result of the storm.

Businesses that rent or lease a building can purchase tenant coverage, which insures your on-premises property, including machinery, furniture and merchandise. The building owner’s policy will not cover contents, however.

At Risk for Flood Damage?

Location is the most important factor for weighing your risk for flood damage. Is your business located in or near a flood zone? (Flood map search tools can be found online.) In what part of the building is your businesses equipment and inventory located? Anything housed on a lower floor, for instance, will be at greater risk.

Standard commercial insurance policies exclude flooding from melting snow or tidal surge. Commercial flood coverage is available from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and from a few private insurers. The NFIP provides up to $500,000 in building coverage and $500,000 for contents. Excess flood insurance is also available for businesses.

For more information on coverage options and disaster preparedness, see the Business Insurance section of the III website.

Related Links

▪ Facts and Statistics: Catastrophes

▪ Articles: When Disaster Strikes: Preparation, Response and Recovery; Does My Business Need Flood Insurance?; Does My Business Need Earthquake Insurance?; Does My Business Need Terrorism Insurance?;