What do UK cyber insurers typically ask when applying for cover?

UK cyber insurers typically ask about identity and access controls, email security, backups and recovery, patching and vulnerability management, endpoint protection, network security, monitoring and incident response readiness, staff training, and third-party/supply chain access. The aim is to understand how likely a claim is and how severe the impact could be.

Why do cyber insurance questions affect premiums?

Insurers use questionnaire responses to estimate cyber risk. Stronger preventative controls and better recovery readiness generally indicate a lower likelihood of loss or reduced claim severity, which can influence pricing, excess levels, cover limits, and policy terms.

Do insurers focus heavily on email security and phishing controls?

Yes. Email remains a common entry point for attacks such as phishing and business email compromise. Insurers often look for evidence of layered protections, secure authentication, and processes that reduce the chance of account takeover and fraud.

What do insurers look for around backups and ransomware recovery?

Insurers commonly assess whether backups exist, how often they run, where they are stored, whether they are protected from ransomware, and whether recovery is tested. This helps them judge how quickly a business could restore services after an incident.

Do cyber insurers ask about Microsoft 365 security settings?

Often, yes. Many organisations rely heavily on Microsoft 365 for email and productivity, so insurers may ask about authentication practices, administrative controls, and other measures that reduce the risk of account compromise and data loss.

Will insurers ask about patching and vulnerability management?

Commonly. Insurers want to understand how updates are applied, whether supported software is used, and how quickly critical vulnerabilities are addressed. Unpatched or unsupported systems can increase risk and may affect terms or pricing.

Do staff awareness and policies matter for cyber insurance?

Yes. Many claims originate from human factors such as clicking malicious links or approving fraudulent requests. Insurers often ask about security training, internal policies, and how suspicious activity is reported and handled.

Do insurers consider third-party IT providers and supply chain access?

Yes. Insurers may ask which suppliers have access to systems, what controls exist around third-party access, and how cloud services are used. Third-party risk can affect both the likelihood and potential impact of incidents.

Cyber insurance requirements in the UK – what insurers look for in cyber security controls

Cyber insurance has become increasingly important for UK businesses over the last few years. As cyber attacks such as ransomware, phishing and data breaches become more common, insurers are paying much closer attention to the security controls businesses have in place before offering cover.

For many organisations, completing a cyber insurance proposal form can feel overwhelming. The questions can be highly technical, and insurers often require detailed information about your systems, processes and security policies.

This article explains the types of questions insurers usually ask UK businesses when applying for cyber insurance, and what they are trying to assess when determining premiums and cover.

(Note: This is an overview only — insurers may ask additional questions depending on the size and industry of the business.)

Why Cyber Insurance Applications Have Become More Detailed

Insurers have seen a sharp increase in cyber claims in recent years, particularly related to:

ransomware attacks
phishing and email compromise
data breaches involving personal information
business interruption caused by cyber incidents

As a result, insurance companies now want stronger evidence that businesses are managing cyber risk effectively.

Many insurers now assess cyber risk in the same way they assess physical risks such as fire or theft — by reviewing the controls in place to reduce the likelihood and impact of an incident.

Common Areas Covered in Cyber Insurance Questionnaires

Most cyber insurance application forms are structured around several key areas of cyber security.

These questions help insurers evaluate how well protected a business is against common attack methods.

1. Access Control and User Security

One of the first things insurers assess is how users access company systems.

Typical questions may ask about:

how employees log in to systems and applications
whether additional authentication methods are used
how passwords are managed and enforced
how access is granted and removed for staff

Insurers want to understand whether systems are protected against unauthorised access or compromised credentials, which are a common entry point for cyber attacks.

2. Email Security and Phishing Protection

Email remains one of the most common ways cyber criminals gain access to businesses.

Many insurance applications therefore include questions relating to:

email security controls
protections against phishing and malicious attachments
safeguards against email impersonation or fraud
processes for handling suspicious emails

These controls are particularly important for protecting against business email compromise and invoice fraud, which are common causes of cyber insurance claims.

3. Backup and Data Recovery

Another key area insurers review is how a business protects and recovers its data.

Application forms often ask about:

how frequently data is backed up
where backups are stored
whether backups are isolated or protected from ransomware
how regularly recovery processes are tested

Insurers want to understand whether a business could recover quickly after a cyber incident, which significantly affects the cost and likelihood of a claim.

4. System Monitoring and Threat Detection

Cyber insurance providers also look at how actively systems are monitored for threats.

Questions may cover:

whether security monitoring is in place
how suspicious activity is detected
how incidents are investigated and responded to
whether security logs are maintained and reviewed

These controls help insurers assess how quickly a business might detect and respond to a cyber attack.

5. Software Updates and Patch Management

Keeping systems updated is a fundamental cyber security requirement.

Insurance applications frequently ask about:

how software updates are managed
how quickly security patches are applied
whether operating systems and applications are supported
whether outdated software is still in use

Insurers know that many cyber attacks exploit known vulnerabilities in unpatched systems, so this area is closely examined.

6. Endpoint Protection

Another important consideration is how businesses protect the computers and devices used by employees.

Questions may relate to:

anti-virus or endpoint protection software
device security policies
monitoring and protection for laptops and desktops
security controls for remote workers

These protections help reduce the risk of malware infections spreading through company networks.

7. Network Security

Insurers also want to understand how the company’s network infrastructure is protected.

Typical questions may include:

how internet connections are secured
whether firewalls or security appliances are used
how remote access is managed
whether networks are segmented or separated

Network security controls help prevent attackers moving laterally within systems once access has been gained.

8. Staff Awareness and Training

Human error remains one of the biggest contributors to cyber incidents.

Many insurers now ask about employee cyber security awareness.

Questions may cover:

staff cyber security training
policies relating to acceptable use of systems
processes for reporting suspicious activity
internal security policies and procedures

Insurers want to see evidence that employees are aware of common cyber threats and understand how to respond to them.

9. Incident Response Planning

Another area insurers review is how prepared a business is to respond to a cyber incident.

Applications may ask whether a business has:

an incident response plan
defined processes for handling breaches
procedures for notifying affected parties
relationships with external cyber security specialists

Having a structured response plan can significantly reduce the financial impact of a cyber incident.

10. Third-Party and Supply Chain Risk

Finally, insurers increasingly examine risks introduced by external service providers.

Questions may relate to:

cloud services used by the business
IT service providers or managed service partners
third-party access to systems
contractual security obligations

This helps insurers assess whether cyber risk could arise through suppliers or external partners.

How These Factors Affect Cyber Insurance Premiums

The answers provided in a cyber insurance application help insurers determine:

whether cover can be offered
the level of risk involved
the premium charged
the excess and policy limits
any conditions attached to the policy

Businesses that can demonstrate strong cyber security controls often benefit from lower premiums and broader cover.

In contrast, organisations with weaker controls may face higher premiums, reduced coverage or requirements to improve security before cover is approved.

Preparing for Cyber Insurance Applications

Because cyber insurance forms can be technical, many businesses find it helpful to review their IT security posture before applying or renewing cover.

Understanding what insurers typically assess can help businesses prepare for these questions and avoid delays during the application process.

Cyber Insurance and IT Support for Accountants

For many professional firms — including accountants, solicitors and financial advisers — cyber insurance requirements have become an important driver for reviewing IT systems and security controls.

Ensuring that systems meet insurer expectations can help reduce cyber risk and avoid complications during the insurance application or renewal process.

✅ Need help reviewing your cyber security before completing a cyber insurance application?

Kent Electronic Services works with businesses across Kent and the South East to review IT infrastructure, Microsoft 365 security and backup systems — helping organisations understand the controls insurers typically look for.

You can also explore our IT Support for Accountants and Managed Services options, including a 30-day Parallel Run, allowing businesses to evaluate our support alongside their existing provider with minimal disruption.

Mark Roach

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Cyber Insurance for UK Businesses: What Insurers Ask (and Why It Matters)