Press Release

Colonial Surety Launches Cyber Liability and Fiduciary Liability Protection Package, Protecting Plan Sponsors Against Significant and Growing Cyber Risk

Issued by Colonial Surety Company

Aug. 17, 2021

Launch of new, two-in-one, fiduciary and cyber liability coverage enables all small businesses to follow DOL guidance on retirement plan privacy and cyber security with ease

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. -- Colonial Surety, a direct and digital insurer, today announces the expansion of its fiduciary liability product offering for plan sponsors – businesses that offer retirement plans – with a new, two-part package that includes cyber liability coverage. The new package offers comprehensive and affordable fiduciary liability insurance for plan sponsors, protecting assets from claims of fiduciary breach, as well as cyber liability coverage to safeguard employees’ personal data and assets against cybersecurity threats. The new product enables plan sponsors to respond to recent updates to The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) guidance on cybersecurity and data privacy, as well as protect against one of the most significant risks facing businesses today.

“The guidance issued by the DOL in April is a clear statement that it sees cybersecurity as a key fiduciary responsibility for all plan sponsors. Businesses now have no choice but to be proactive about protecting the privacy and personal information of their retirement plan participants,” says Wayne Nunziata, President of Colonial Surety.

“At Colonial Surety, we have long understood that cybersecurity is both a significant risk and a major blind spot for many 401k plans. Our new package allows us to support plan sponsors with comprehensive, cost-effective cyber liability solutions, and we will continue to encourage the wider industry to adopt cyber liability protection as a best practice for all businesses.”

The new fiduciary-and-cyber liability package includes coverage that protects the assets of the retirement plan sponsor, and the personal assets of individuals involved in the management of the plan, from exposure in the event of a lawsuit alleging breaches of fiduciary duty. Additionally, the unique cyber liability protection included in the package protects businesses as well as their pension plans from covered losses and response expenses in the event of a cyber breach.

In particular, the built in cyber liability protection provides coverage for the costs of legal services, computer forensic services, public relations and crisis management expenses, notification services, call-center services, credit-monitoring, identity-monitoring or other personal fraud or loss-prevention solutions. It also includes defense and indemnity from covered lawsuits by third parties.

The new fiduciary-and-cyber liability package is available through Colonial Surety’s online platform, which provides easy, direct access to all of Colonial Surety’s easy-to-use and competitively priced bonding and insurance products for small businesses. Following the recent launch of its new employment practices liability insurance, providing coverage for claims involving discrimination, harassment and inappropriate employment conduct, the cyber-and-fiduciary liability package is the latest offering in Colonial Surety’s ongoing strategy to provide instant, online, and cost-effective solutions for small businesses.

“At Colonial Surety, we are committed to helping small businesses grow and thrive in an increasingly complex environment, in which protecting digital and data assets and safeguarding employees against online threats is just as important as ensuring employees’ physical safety and protecting physical property,” explains Nunziata. “Cyber liability is just as important as general liability and workers’ comp for organizations that want to protect themselves, their employees, their partners and their customers - and build their businesses with confidence.”

The new fiduciary-and-cyber liability package is available to any company that sponsors a retirement plan and already has an ERISA bond in place. It complements Colonial’s existing ERISA Package, which includes fiduciary and cyber liability coverage, alongside Colonial’s own ERISA bond.

About Colonial Surety

Colonial Surety was founded in 1930 and brings deep experience and market expertise to every product and every customer relationship. Colonial Surety gives its customers the assurance that they, their businesses, and their clients are safeguarded with the right surety and insurance products at all times.

Colonial Surety makes it easy for a wide range of industries and professions to buy the bonds and insurance products they need. Colonial Surety is a direct and digital insurer offering products through an online platform supported with exemplary customer service. The company gives customers a simple, direct, and instant service that takes the pain out of buying insurance and bonds. Colonial Surety is licensed in every U.S. state, rated “A” Excellent by A.M. Best, and listed by the U.S. Treasury as an approved surety.

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