Knowles Insurance takes a holistic approach to helping organizations mitigate cyber risk. We help organizations improve their risk management program while also transferring their exposure in the most comprehensive and cost effective way.

Our approach to cyber risk mitigation is broken down into four different parts:

1. Assess – We first assess the risk that your organization faces. This process will vary depending on the industry, size, technology, and controls of the organization. We will assess your cyber risk management practices and advise on any additional controls or procedures that should be implemented. Our recommended controls will make your company more appealing in the insurance market while also lowering your likelihood of an incident.

2. Quantify – We then quantify the specific organization’s risk. We use the market-leading cyber analytical tool, CyberCube. This tool allows us to quantify the likelihood and severity of loss, based on the specifics of the organization. We achieve this through the collection of vast amounts of real-life claims data. It projects an organization’s costs when they have a cyber-incident. The tool also allows us to benchmark our client’s program compared to its peers in terms of limits and retention. It educates companies on their level of risk. The analytical information allows us to have concrete data-driven discussions around cyber risk. We can then tailor a program that best fits the specific needs of each client. Risk quantification is essential to making educated decisions when purchasing insurance.

3. Transfer – We then transfer our client’s risk to an insurance carrier that best fits its needs. We use the information that we gathered in steps 1 and 2 to structure the ideal program.
4. Recover – The cyber claims process is much more complex and dynamic than other insurance claims. When an event occurs, the client will be directed to work with a legal and forensic team to determine the extent of the incident and the legal implications. The legal team will direct the claims process. We have strong relationships and partnerships with the leading cyber law firms and forensic firms. Our agency recommends the legal and forensic firms that you should work with. We facilitate conversations between the client and the legal and forensic teams. We also facilitate conversations pre-incident, to properly prepare, and post incident to mitigate a loss.

Surety Services greatly differ from traditional insurance services in many ways. As a result, it is critical that organizations work with a broker that specializes in surety.

Bonds are critical for many types of businesses (specifically contractors). At Knowles Insurance, we assist our clients in securing the required bonds. We also help facilitate a detailed understanding of the contractor’s financial statement with the bonding carrier.

Surety Types

• Bid Bonds
• Performance and Payment Bonds
• Supply Bonds
• License Bonds
• Maintenance Bonds
• ERISA Bonds

Our customized insurance offering is more than just risk transfer (insurance). It is about lowering our clients total cost of risk. We achieve this by providing our clients with the following services:

• Cyber security risk management analysis
• Risk quantification analysis
• Safety and Risk Management programs
• Annual risk assessment and market analysis
• Contract review/insurance requirements
• Customized loss runs
• Driver hiring and MVR protocols
• Business interruption analysis
• Scheduled claims review
• Property valuations
• Annual stewardship reports
• Workers’ compensation review consultation
• Workers’ compensation classification audit & EMOD review
• Certificate of insurance management
• Disaster recovery plan

Mergers and Acquisitions Insurance is becoming increasingly common in corporate transactions. There are different types of insurance that can be purchased during a merger or acquisition. Representations and Warranties insurance is the most common.

Our team has unique experience in dealing with private equity firms and assisting in securing Mergers and Acquisitions insurance coverages.

This coverage can complement a transaction in the following ways:

• Allow the seller a smooth exit. This is due to a lower escrow amount required when the insurance is purchased.
• Eliminate potential litigation between the current and former management/ownership. The new entity can work directly with the insurance company in the event of a claim.
• Reduce the risks associated with M&A transactions.

This coverage is intended for deals approximately $50M and greater because the minimum premiums are around $150K for a multiyear policy.

Businesses of all sizes and across all industries require property and casualty insurance. While all organizations need this coverage, coverage design varies depending on the particulars of the organization. Programs vary depending on the size, industry, and risk appetite of the business.

At Knowles Insurance, we use an innovative approach to adequately protect organizations while minimizing their coverage cost. We take the time to understand the strategic objectives of the organization.

Our market knowledge and understanding of your organization allows us to design a program to protect your business in the following areas:

• Property
• Inland and Ocean Marine
• Workers’ Compensation
• General Liability
• Commercial Auto
• Umbrella/Excess Insurance
• Errors and Omissions
• Cyber Liability Insurance
• Cyber Risk Management
• Surety/Bonding
• Directors and Officers
• Employment Practices
• Fiduciary
• Fidelity
• Crime
• Representatives and Warranties

We have strategic partnerships with companies that specialize in employee benefits services.  Our partners align with our mission and our value proposition. These firms allow us to provide our clients with additional resources that can help them achieve their objectives. Our partners can assist our clients in the following areas

• Group Health Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Group Disability Insurance
• Group Vision Insurance
• Group Dental Insurance
• Industry Compliance
• Human Resources Services