Insurance for cybersecurity companies in Quebec (professional liability, E&O) — 2026

CYBERSECURITY FIRMS

Specialized Insurance for Cybersecurity Firms

Pentest, audit, consulting, managed SOC: your firm needs high-limit E&O insurance tailored to the unique risks of the offensive and defensive cybersecurity industry.

$2M to $10M
Usual limits
Pentest
Covered
72 hrs
Express quote
AMF
Certified brokers

Cybersecurity firms (pentesters, MSSPs, consultants, SIEM/SOC integrators, trainers, auditors) have a high-risk job. A missed vulnerability during an audit, a pentest that causes a service interruption, biased strategic advice, or a leak of confidential customer data can result in multi-million dollar claims. Traditional insurance policies often exclude these activities — you need a specialized product.

Cybersecurity monitoring screen — Assur360 cyber insurance

IN BRIEF

Cyber security insurance

In Quebec, since Bill 25, any company that is the victim of a personal information leak must notify the Commission d’accès à l’information AND the individuals affected. Average cost of an incident: $150,000 to $5 million.

Key coverages: ransomware, data theft, business interruption, notification fees, forensic, legal defense, and regulatory fines. A $1 million cyber typically costs $1,200 to $4,500/year.

Essential protections for cybersecurity firms

Professional liability (E&O)

Errors, omissions, bad advice, missed vulnerabilities during audits or pentests. Limits of $2 million to $10 million.

Pentest & red team

Specific coverage for penetration tests that can unintentionally cause interruptions or data loss.

Clean Cyber

Your business is also a target — ransomware coverage, leaking customer data, extortion.

Commercial liability

Injuries, property damage caused to others during visits to the client’s home or to your offices.

D&O Leaders

Personal protection of directors in the event of a lawsuit related to the management of the company.

MSSP Contracts

Specific clauses for service level agreements (SLAs) and contractual guarantees to customers.

💡 Broker’s advice

The E&O insurance market for cybersecurity firms has hardened considerably since 2022. Several major insurers have left the segment or imposed strict exclusions (ransomware, cyber warfare, violation of Bill 25). A specialized broker compares several Canadian and London markets (Lloyd’s) to build a coverage that remains valid when a claim occurs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn’t a standard E&O policy enough for a cybersecurity firm?
Generic E&O policies explicitly exclude intrusion, pentest, red team, or offensive scan activity. They also cap cyber coverage at $100,000 or $250,000 — largely insufficient for a firm where each client represents a risk of several millions.
Are pentests really covered?
Yes, but only with a specialized product. The police must explicitly mention the offensive activities authorised by contract (pentest, red team, simulated phishing, social engineering). Your broker validates that your recent mandates meet the definition of insured activities.
How much does insurance cost for a cybersecurity firm in Quebec?
For a firm of 3 to 10 pentesters with a turnover of less than $2 million: between $4,500 and $12,000 per year for a limit of $2 million. MSSP firms with SLA commitments or that serve the public sector typically pay $15,000 to $40,000 per year.
A large account customer requires $5M in E&O limit — is that possible?
Yes, via specialized markets (Lloyd’s of London, some Canadian insurers). The limit of $5 million to $10 million is standard for firms that serve financial institutions, the public sector, and publicly traded companies. Allow 4 to 6 weeks of subscription for these limits.
My company does managed SOC 24/7 — what coverage?
MSSPs have specific risks: failure to detect an attack in progress, false positives that have caused production downtime, leakage of customer logs. An MSSP endorsement or a dedicated “managed security” policy is required. Failure to detect exclusions must be negotiated carefully.
Do cybersecurity trainers need insurance?
Yes — a trainer who teaches offensive techniques can be implicated if a former student uses them maliciously. An E&O policy with a “training and publication” extension protects against this type of claim.
Are bug bounties and responsible disclosures covered?
Bug bounties carried out via a regulated platform (HackerOne, Bugcrowd) can be covered if the program complies with the terms of the contract and applicable laws. Unsolicited disclosures to a third party remain a grey area — to be carefully documented with your broker.
What should I do if a customer is a victim of ransomware after my audit?
Notify your E&O insurer immediately. Do not edit any documents. Keep the audit report, email exchanges, and signatures of deliverables. Your policy covers legal fees (often $100,000 to $500,000) even if you’re not at fault, as well as any negotiated settlements.
Can I insure my business if I am a freelancer (self-employed)?
Yes. There are specialized E&O policies for cybersecurity freelancers, starting at $1,800 to $3,500 per year for a limit of $1 million. Often required by major contractors (banks, ministries, integrators).

Cybersecurity firms — insurance throughout Quebec

Assur360 supports businesses throughout Quebec: Montreal, Quebec City, Laval, Gatineau, Longueuil, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières and Saguenay. From Montreal (cyber startup ecosystem) to Quebec City (public sector and financial institutions) to Gatineau (federal proximity), our brokers know the contractual requirements of your clients.

100% online quote, free of charge, with comparison of several Canadian insurers.

Additional Coverage to Consider

Official references

🛡 Why trust Assur360?

AMF
Certified brokers
ChAD
Insurance Chamber
100K+
Submissions processed

COMPARE AND SAVE

Get your free quote

Our AMF-certified brokers compare several insurers to find you the best coverage.

-->
Scroll to Top