The Ravalli County Board of County Commissioners voted May 30 to renew the county’s standalone cyber liability insurance with CFC and to authorize payment of the renewal premium and related taxes and fees.

County staff described the county’s current cyber coverage as a standalone policy that had been procured after the pool removed cyber limits from its offering several years ago. Fred, speaking for county administration, said the county previously paid about $17,650 for the policy and that the renewal quote was in the same general range. He asked the board to approve renewal "in the amount of $18,000 plus taxes and fees," and a motion to renew was moved, seconded and approved.

Staff explained that cyber insurance premiums are affected by detailed security reviews and by whether coverage is written on a filed basis in-state or as a surplus-lines placement. Fred said the policy is written on surplus lines and that the quoted premium would bear surplus-lines taxes and brokerage fees as applicable. Commissioners asked that staff continue to work with the county IT director and the pool’s broker to pursue possible inclusion of cyber coverage into the Mako program in the coming year.

Why this matters: Cyber liability coverage protects the county against costs from data breaches, ransomware and other cyber incidents. The decision keeps the county covered while staff continue efforts to secure a pool-based solution that could lower administrative burden and potentially change premium allocation.