The Hartford has expanded its cyber insurance product, CyberChoice First Response, to small businesses across the United States, excluding Alaska, Louisiana and Vermont, as demand for digital risk protection accelerates.
The expanded offering is available through ICON, The Hartford’s digital quoting and binding system, which allows agents and brokers to secure cyber coverage alongside other small business policies. The move integrates with the company’s long-established Spectrum Business Owners Policy, designed to combine property, liability and business income coverage for small enterprises.
Responding to escalating digital risks
The Hartford said the expansion reflects the growing threat environment for small businesses, which continue to face ransomware, phishing and data breach incidents despite often limited cybersecurity budgets. Coverage under CyberChoice First Response includes protection against income loss caused by ransomware attacks, costs for data restoration and replacement, regulatory defense and fines, and expenses from breaches involving third-party information.
Policyholders also gain access to a 24/7 incident response hotline. This feature connects businesses with forensic specialists and public relations professionals, aiming to minimize both operational disruption and reputational damage. The policy extends beyond cyberattacks to cover system failures and administrative errors, both of which can trigger costly downtime.
“The ability to manage both property and cyber exposures in a single streamlined process addresses a real need for efficiency and comprehensive protection among small enterprises,” a company representative noted.
Meeting rising demand for cyber coverage
The Hartford’s Small Business unit serves over one million customers nationwide and has emphasized digital distribution for decades. ICON, the company’s proprietary platform, is known for automated coverage recommendations and has been recognized by Keynova Group as the top digital small business insurance platform for six consecutive years.
Industry analysts point out that embedding cyber insurance directly into ICON enhances accessibility for agents and brokers, who can now offer higher limits of both first-party and third-party cyber protection. The design also reduces friction in the placement process, an ongoing challenge for small firms navigating multiple coverage options.
Demand for cyber insurance among small businesses has steadily increased as awareness of digital risks grows. At the same time, affordability and ease of purchase remain critical factors. By aligning CyberChoice First Response with Spectrum BOP, The Hartford seeks to strengthen its market position while making cyber protection a standard part of small business risk management.
Observers note that the expansion comes at a time when cyberattacks against smaller firms are becoming more frequent and more costly. Integrating cyber solutions into established business owner policies not only simplifies the buying experience but also underscores the insurer’s recognition of cyber resilience as a core element of modern business protection.
The Hartford said the updated coverage is effective immediately through ICON in all eligible states. The company expects strong adoption as more small enterprises seek to safeguard against operational and financial setbacks linked to cyber incidents.
