Hackers Don’t Knock: Why You Should Consider Home Cyber Protection

From smart thermostats and home security cameras to online banking and digital payments, technology plays a big role in how we manage our homes and everyday lives. While these tools offer convenience, they can also create new risks for homeowners.

Cybercriminals aren't just targeting businesses. Individuals and families can also fall victim to online fraud, identity theft and attacks on connected devices. And when something goes wrong, recovering your information, restoring your devices or resolving financial losses can take time and money.

That's why Rockingham Insurance now offers Home Cyber Protection, an optional coverage designed to help protect you and your household from a range of cyber-related risks.

What Is Home Cyber Protection?

Home Cyber Protection helps address certain financial losses and recovery expenses that can result from cyber incidents. It complements your homeowners insurance by providing protection for specific digital threats that may not be addressed by a standard homeowners policy.

Whether someone gains unauthorized access to your computer, tricks you into sending money to a fraudster or steals your personal information, the consequences can extend well beyond your screen.

Let's look at some of the ways Home Cyber Protection can help.

What Does Home Cyber Protection Cover?

Online Fraud

Imagine: you get an email with updated payment billing instructions for a home improvement project. Recognizing the address, you submit the payment, only to discover that a cybercriminal posing as your contractor redirected your money.

Online fraud coverage can help reimburse eligible direct financial losses resulting from certain fraud events involving a computing or connected home device. Covered situations may include identity theft, unauthorized use of financial account information, check forgery and certain scams involving online deception.

Cyber Attacks

Your computer, tablet or smart-home device can be vulnerable to unauthorized access or malicious software. If an attack damages your system or corrupts your files, getting everything back to normal can require professional help.

Cyber attack coverage can help pay for eligible expenses related to data recovery and system restoration. It can also cover certain costs associated with reducing the likelihood of a future attack and additional utility expenses resulting from cryptojacking: a crime where malicious software uses your computing resources for cryptocurrency mining.

Cyber Extortion

Cyber extortion can occur when someone threatens to damage your device, expose information or prevent access to your files unless you pay a ransom.

Home Cyber Protection includes coverage for professional assistance to help you respond to an extortion threat, along with eligible response costs when approved in advance, subject to the policy's terms.

Identity Recovery

Discovering that someone has used your personal information to open an account or commit fraud can be stressful, and resolving the situation may require legal assistance and time spent working with financial institutions.

Identity recovery coverage can help pay certain reasonable and necessary expenses associated with identity theft. It also includes access to an identity recovery case manager who can help guide you through the recovery process.

Home Title Fraud

Your home's title is an important part of protecting your investment. But if a criminal uses stolen identity information to fraudulently transfer ownership of your property, correcting the records can become a complicated process.

Home title fraud coverage can help pay eligible expenses associated with recovering a title that has been wrongfully or fraudulently transferred, including certain attorney fees, court filing fees and title recording costs.

How Can You Help Protect Your Household?

Insurance provides an important layer of financial protection, but good digital habits are also essential. Here are a few steps you can take to help reduce your household's exposure to cyber threats:

• Use strong, unique passwords. Avoid reusing passwords across accounts, especially for banking, email and other sensitive information.
• Enable multifactor authentication. When available, this adds another layer of security to your online accounts.
• Keep devices and software updated. Updates can help address security vulnerabilities on computers, phones, routers and smart-home devices.
• Be cautious with unexpected messages. Verify payment requests, links and changes to financial instructions before sharing information or sending money.
• nstall and use an Antivirus software. Cybercriminals can steal passwords and sensitive information through key loggers and ransomware. An antivirus offers protection against this sort of attack.
• Talk with your family about online safety. Make sure household members understand common scams and know what to do if something seems suspicious.

Even with precautions in place, cyber incidents can happen. That's why it's worth considering how your insurance coverage fits the way you live today.

Is Home Cyber Protection Right for You?

As more of our lives move online, protecting your household means thinking beyond the physical structure of your home. Your personal information, financial accounts and connected devices are all part of your everyday life, and a cyber incident can affect each of them.

Not sure whether this additional protection makes sense for your household? Contact your local Rockingham Insurance agent today to learn more about Home Cyber Protection and take another step toward protecting what matters most.

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