Short answer
Cyber insurance cost for a small design firm can start around $500 to $600 a year at a $1M limit. In quotes we ran in 2026, the typical quote landed between $1,200 and $1,900. Your price depends on your firm, your state, your security controls and your claims history, so these figures show a range rather than a promise.
How much does cyber insurance cost for a small A&E firm?
The figures below come from 22 cyber quote sets we ran between May and October 2026. Those sets included 152 options, all at a $1M limit. We use “quotes we ran in 2026” on purpose, because this is a snapshot and not a market average.
| Firm revenue | Cheapest quote per firm | Typical (median) quote |
|---|---|---|
| Under $250K | $522 to $975 | $1,000 to $1,670 |
| $250K to $1M | $585 to $1,303 | $1,250 to $1,920 |
| $1M to $2M | $651 to $1,182 | $1,470 to $1,870 |
| $2M to $5M | $1,364 to $1,892 | $2,890 to $3,260 |
Every quote includes taxes and fees. The lowest quote we saw was $522.
Revenue moved the cheapest price very little. A solo architect with $60K in revenue saw $656, while a firm with $1.2M saw $651. One carrier charged the same flat premium for firms from $70K to $1.5M in revenue.
What the terms in a cyber quote mean
Three terms show up in every quote and change how you read the price.
- Limit: The most the policy pays for covered losses. All quotes above use a $1M limit.
- Retention: The amount your firm pays before the policy responds, similar to a deductible. A higher retention can lower the premium.
- Taxes and fees: Surplus lines taxes and carrier or broker fees can apply, so we compare totals rather than base premiums.
What drives cyber insurance cost the most
Revenue and the amount of client data you hold matter less than most firm owners expect. Carrier choice, retention and your security controls tend to move the price more. Controls such as multi-factor authentication and tested backups often affect both eligibility and pricing.
Limits matter as well. One firm in our inbox thought cyber coverage was “really high” until we re-quoted it at $1M, because the original quote had mistakenly been set at $2M. Confirming the limit is the first step in judging any number.
Why the cheapest cyber insurance cost may not fit best
A low premium can come with a higher retention, lower sublimits for certain losses, or different conditions. Two quotes at the same limit can respond differently after an incident. Compare coverage terms alongside the price, and read the policy forms before you decide. Our cyber liability coverage page explains what these policies typically address.
Example: reading a cyber insurance cost range
Consider a hypothetical engineering firm with $800K in revenue that wants a $1M limit. In our quotes for firms between $250K and $1M, the cheapest options ranged from $585 to $1,303, and typical quotes ranged from $1,250 to $1,920.
That firm shouldn’t assume it will land at the low end. If it has multi-factor authentication and backups in place, it gives carriers a stronger application. Once it sees several options, it can compare retention and coverage terms next to price.
What to check before comparing cyber insurance cost
- Limit: Confirm every quote uses the same limit, such as $1M.
- Retention: Note how much your firm pays before coverage responds.
- Total price: Compare totals with taxes and fees included.
- Controls: Confirm you can answer the application questions on multi-factor authentication and backups accurately.
- Contract requirements: Check whether a client contract asks for a specific cyber limit.
If you already carry professional liability, our professional liability cost tool shows how we approach pricing there.
Related questions
What does cyber insurance cost for a solo architect?
In quotes we ran in 2026, one solo architect with $60K in revenue received a low quote of $656 at a $1M limit. Other firms under $250K in revenue saw typical quotes between $1,000 and $1,670.
Does revenue change cyber insurance cost?
It can, but less than most owners expect. In our quotes, the cheapest price barely changed between a $60K firm and a $1.2M firm. Revenue mattered more at the $2M to $5M range.
Can I get cyber insurance for around $500 a year?
Some firms can. The lowest quote we saw was $522. Pricing depends on your firm, your state, your controls and your claims history, so we can’t promise that figure.
Does a $2M limit cost much more than $1M?
A higher limit generally increases the premium, though the difference varies by carrier. Check which limit each quote uses before you compare prices.
Will skipping cyber coverage change my other insurance rates?
Cyber is usually a separate policy with its own premium. Ask your broker whether your other coverage or contracts would be affected in your situation.
Start your cyber application when you want quotes built around your firm.