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QBE

★★★★½

Tailored Cyber Insurance for NZ Businesses

Company Overview

QBE Insurance Group, founded in 1886, has grown to become one of the world's top 20 general insurance and reinsurance companies. With a strong presence in New Zealand, QBE combines international expertise with deep local market knowledge to provide comprehensive cyber insurance solutions for businesses of all sizes.

The company's approach to cyber insurance is characterized by its focus on risk prevention and incident response, backed by decades of insurance expertise and a robust understanding of the evolving cyber threat landscape. QBE's New Zealand operations are supported by a global network of cyber security experts and resources.

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Cyber Insurance Coverage

Core Protection Features

  • First-Party Coverage

    Protection for your business's direct losses from cyber incidents

  • Third-Party Coverage

    Protection against claims made by others due to your cyber incident

  • Cyber Crime

    Coverage for financial losses from cyber fraud and social engineering

  • Business Interruption

    Compensation for lost income during system outages

Additional Coverage Options

  • Reputational Harm

    Coverage for loss of income due to reputational damage following a cyber incident

  • System Failure

    Protection against system failures not caused by cyber attacks

  • Contingent Business Interruption

    Coverage for losses due to system failures at key vendors or suppliers

Risk Management Services

Prevention Services

  • Security awareness training
  • Vulnerability assessments
  • Penetration testing
  • Risk assessment tools

Incident Response

  • 24/7 incident reporting
  • Forensic investigation
  • Legal support services
  • Crisis management

Industry-Specific Solutions

Professional Services

Tailored coverage for law firms, accounting practices, and consultancies.

  • Professional liability integration
  • Client data protection
  • Regulatory compliance support

Retail and Hospitality

Comprehensive protection for retail businesses and hospitality providers.

  • PCI compliance coverage
  • Point-of-sale protection
  • Customer data security

Manufacturing

Specialized coverage for manufacturing and industrial businesses.

  • Industrial control system protection
  • Supply chain cyber risk
  • Operational technology coverage

Claims Process

Streamlined Claims Handling

QBE's claims process is designed to provide rapid response and efficient resolution of cyber incidents, with a focus on minimizing business disruption and financial impact.

Claims Process Steps

  • 1. Initial incident reporting
  • 2. Immediate response activation
  • 3. Expert team deployment
  • 4. Claim resolution and recovery

Support Services

  • Dedicated claims handler
  • Technical investigation team
  • Legal advisory services
  • Recovery assistance

Customer Reviews and Testimonials

★★★★★

Tom Anderson

Legal Services Director

"QBE's cyber insurance coverage has been essential for our law firm. Their understanding of professional services risks and regulatory requirements is exceptional. The claims process during our recent security incident was handled professionally and efficiently."

"The risk assessment tools and training programs have helped us significantly improve our security posture. Their proactive approach to risk management sets them apart from other insurers."

★★★★

Karen Williams

Retail Operations Manager

"As a retail business, we particularly value QBE's expertise in PCI compliance and point-of-sale security. Their coverage has given us peace of mind in handling customer payment data."

"While the claims process documentation can be extensive, their support team is always helpful in guiding us through the requirements. The preventive services have been particularly valuable."

★★★★★

Steve Johnson

Manufacturing Operations Director

"QBE's understanding of industrial control systems and manufacturing-specific cyber risks has been crucial for our operations. Their incident response team helped us recover quickly from a potential system breach."

"The coverage for operational technology and supply chain risks provides comprehensive protection for our complex manufacturing environment. Their technical expertise in this area is impressive."

Coverage Options and Pricing

QBE offers flexible cyber insurance solutions with coverage limits and premiums tailored to each organization's specific needs and risk profile. Pricing typically ranges from $500-$5,000 annually depending on business size, industry, and coverage requirements.

Essential Cover

$500-$1,500

per year

  • Coverage up to $500K
  • Basic cyber liability
  • Incident response support
  • Standard risk assessment

Perfect for small businesses (1-10 employees)

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POPULAR

Professional Cover

$1,500-$3,500

per year

  • Coverage up to $2M
  • Enhanced coverage limits
  • Priority response service
  • Advanced risk management

Ideal for medium businesses (10-50 employees)

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Enterprise Cover

$3,500+

per year

  • Coverage up to $10M+
  • Comprehensive protection
  • Dedicated response team
  • Customized solutions

For large organizations (50+ employees)

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Factors Affecting Your Premium:

Annual revenue and company size
Industry sector and risk profile
Data types stored and processed
Existing security measures
Coverage limits and deductibles
Claims history and risk management

QBE vs AIG vs Chubb: Which is Best for You?

FeatureQBEAIGChubb
Starting Price$500/year$800/year$1,200/year
NZ Local Support✅ Excellent✅ Good⚠️ Limited
Claims Response Time24-48 hours24 hours48-72 hours
Max Coverage$10M$50M+$100M+
Best ForSMBs, Local businessesMedium-Large enterprisesLarge corporations
Customer Rating⭐ 4.5/5⭐ 4.3/5⭐ 4.1/5

Our Recommendation: QBE offers the best value for NZ small to medium businesses with strong local support and competitive pricing. AIG is ideal for larger enterprises needing higher coverage limits, while Chubb suits multinational corporations with complex requirements.

Step-by-Step Claims Process

1

Immediate Incident Reporting (Within 24 Hours)

Contact QBE's 24/7 cyber incident hotline: 0800 QBE CYBER

  • Provide incident details and policy number
  • Describe the nature of the cyber event
  • Receive immediate case number and assigned claims handler
2

Initial Assessment (24-48 Hours)

QBE's cyber response team conducts preliminary assessment:

  • Coverage verification and policy review
  • Deployment of approved incident response vendors
  • Forensic investigation authorization
  • Communication with legal and PR teams if needed
3

Incident Response & Containment (Week 1-2)

Active management and mitigation of the cyber incident:

  • Forensic analysis to determine breach scope
  • System containment and security patching
  • Data recovery and system restoration
  • Notification to affected parties (if required)
4

Claims Settlement (Week 2-6)

Financial resolution and recovery support:

  • Review and approval of incident response costs
  • Business interruption loss calculation
  • Settlement of covered expenses
  • Post-incident risk management recommendations

Average settlement time: 4-6 weeks from initial claim

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does QBE cyber insurance cost for a small business?

For a small business (1-10 employees) with annual revenue under $2M, QBE cyber insurance typically costs $500-$1,500 per year. Exact pricing depends on your industry, data types handled, existing security measures, and desired coverage limits. A retail shop with basic POS systems might pay $600/year for $500K coverage, while a professional services firm handling sensitive client data might pay $1,200/year for $1M coverage.

What does QBE cyber insurance actually cover?

QBE cyber insurance covers: (1) First-party losses like data recovery ($10K-$50K typical), business interruption ($5K-$200K), and ransomware payments ($5K-$100K); (2) Third-party claims including legal defense ($20K-$500K), regulatory fines ($10K-$1M), and customer notification costs ($2K-$50K); and (3) Incident response including forensics ($15K-$75K), PR/crisis management ($5K-$30K), and credit monitoring services ($3K-$25K per affected individual).

How quickly does QBE respond to a cyber incident claim?

QBE provides 24-48 hour initial response after claim submission. When you call their 24/7 hotline, you'll receive an immediate case number and assigned handler within hours. Approved incident response vendors are typically deployed within 24 hours. Full claims settlement averages 4-6 weeks, though emergency expenses (like forensics and immediate response) are often pre-approved within 48 hours.

Does QBE cover ransomware payments?

Yes, QBE cyber insurance covers ransomware extortion payments where legally permitted in New Zealand. Coverage typically includes: the ransom payment itself (subject to policy limits, usually up to $100K for SMBs), professional negotiation services ($5K-$15K), cryptocurrency transaction fees, and data recovery costs post-payment. However, you must notify QBE immediately and get approval before paying any ransom to ensure coverage.

Is QBE better than AIG or Chubb for NZ businesses?

For small to medium NZ businesses (under 50 employees), QBE is often the best choice due to: lower starting prices ($500 vs $800-$1,200), excellent local NZ support, faster claims processing for smaller claims, and better understanding of NZ regulatory requirements. AIG is better for larger enterprises needing $10M+ coverage limits, while Chubb suits multinational corporations. Compare all three providers here.

What security requirements does QBE require for coverage?

QBE requires basic cyber security measures: (1) Multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all admin accounts and remote access; (2) Regular backups stored offline or in secure cloud storage, tested quarterly; (3) Antivirus/EDR software on all devices, updated automatically; (4) Firewall protection for network perimeter; and (5) Employee security training at least annually. Higher coverage limits ($2M+) may require additional measures like penetration testing and incident response plans.

Can I get cyber insurance if I've been breached before?

Yes, but it depends on the breach timing and your response. QBE typically won't cover known incidents that occurred before policy inception or ongoing breaches at application time. However, if you had a breach 12+ months ago, fully remediated it, and implemented stronger security measures, QBE will usually provide coverage - though you may face a higher premium (10-30% increase) or a higher deductible. Full disclosure is required during application.

How long does it take to get QBE cyber insurance approved?

Small businesses ($500K-$1M coverage): 1-3 business days after completing the application and security questionnaire. Medium businesses ($1M-$5M coverage): 3-5 business days, may require brief security assessment call. Large businesses ($5M+ coverage): 1-2 weeks including detailed security review and possible on-site assessment. Start your application now to get covered within a week.

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