How do you know whether you need Internet insurance?

By Doreen V. Bentley

In general, Internet insurance, which is also sometimes called "hacker" or "e-commerce" insurance, is worth looking into if your business uses e-mail or has a Web site that hosts transactions, posts content, hosts advertising for other businesses, or contains confidential information.

Essentially, if there is any conceivable way that a client could contend that the performance of your Web site, products, or services affected his or her business and sue you for it, you need to consider Internet insurance. For a free quote for general business insurance, click here

Possible scenarios where Internet insurance comes in handy:

• Web site vandalism and virus damage coverage - protects data and computer equipment damaged in a hacker attack, and provides lost business income if a Web site crashes due to the attack.
• Denial of service attack coverage — pays lost income if a site is flooded with malicious traffic designed to prevent customers from gaining access.
• Advertising expense coverage to regain customers' good faith after an Internet-related, covered loss.