Answer your actual form
Use the insurer's definitions and ask your broker to clarify ambiguous wording. The checklist below is a preparation aid, not a statement that every insurer asks the same questions or accepts the same evidence. Do not promise a control is universal when it covers only some staff or devices.
Prepare evidence, not a tick-box claim
| Question to check on your form | Useful evidence | Relevant service and starting monthly cost, plus VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Is multi-factor sign-in enforced? | Account coverage, exceptions and settings review | Account hardening from £2.50 per user |
| Are backups separate and tested? | Scope, last successful test and recovery record | Microsoft 365 backup from £2.50 per user, included in support; server backup from £35 per server |
| How are updates managed? | Device inventory and update reports | Patching from £2.50 per device |
| Do staff receive training? | Attendance and phishing-exercise records | Training from £3.50 per user |
| Which devices are protected? | Protection inventory and exception list | Managed antivirus from £2.50 per device; four-layer endpoint protection from £10 per device |
| Is there an incident plan? | Approved contacts, response instructions and exercises | Planning quoted as a fixed fee after a free call |
Keep the answers accurate at renewal
Record who checked each answer, the date and where the evidence is held. Revisit it when a new office, application or supplier changes the setup. Pass material questions about cover, exclusions or notification duties to your insurer or broker.
We can explain our services and provide the agreed technical records. We do not guarantee an insurer's acceptance, a premium reduction or payment of a claim.
A useful starting point
The NCSC's Cyber Essentials overview describes five technical controls and distinguishes the independently tested Plus assessment from the standard assessment. Read NCSC Cyber Essentials overview.
Certification can form part of an evidence pack, but answer the specific insurance question rather than treating a certificate as a substitute for checking your systems.
What we can do for you
We help you agree priorities, document workarounds and check the recovery arrangements. Continuity planning is quoted as a fixed fee after a free 30 minute call. The technical fallbacks use our standard prices.
| Technical fallback | From per month, plus VAT |
|---|---|
| Independent Microsoft 365 backup | £2.50 per user, included as standard in support agreements |
| Email filtering | £1.50 per user, not needed as an additional filter with Microsoft 365 Premium |
| Server backup with cloud failover | £35 per server |
| Desktop and laptop backup | £10 per device |
| Business phone system | £11 per user |
Monthly starting prices exclude VAT and use a 3 year term billed monthly. Shorter terms cost a little more. Your price and the actual fallback arrangements are confirmed in a written quote.
Questions about this service
Does a backup keep every service running?
No. Backup provides a recovery copy. Alternative access, replacement equipment, staff instructions and decisions are separate parts of a continuity plan.
Will you guarantee a recovery time?
We agree targets after reviewing the systems, dependencies and test results. A planning target or example is not a contractual recovery guarantee.
Is security monitoring an out-of-hours helpdesk?
No. Our security partner's analysts provide the contracted 24x7 account monitoring. Normal support hours are Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 17:30, excluding UK bank holidays.
Where should we start?
Call 01494 866668 for a free 30 minute planning conversation. Describe the activity you could least afford to lose and the arrangements already in place.
Free tools to help you prepare
Continuity tools
- Free business continuity plan template for small businesses
- How much does an hour of IT downtime cost your business?
- Find your single points of failure
Use these planning aids to prepare a conversation. Do not put passwords or confidential records in a worksheet.
Related information
Talk to us about your business
Prefer us to contact you? Request a call back.

