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Last Updated on: February 2, 2026

Why the Soft Cyber Market Is Your Best Opportunity: Protecting Clients, Managing Risk, and Driving Revenue

Cyber

The cyber insurance market has always been unpredictable. Over the past decade, we’ve seen it move from an emerging line of coverage to one of the most volatile, swinging rapidly between soft and hard market cycles. But today, cyber has entered one of the softest markets in recent memory—and that presents a rare opportunity for both agents and clients.

In a recent conversation with Zane Goldthorpe of ProWriters, we broke down what the current market means, why producers should be doubling down on cyber right now, and how this shift opens the door for expanded conversations across contractors, architects, engineers, and other industries that have often overlooked their exposure.

The Cyber Insurance Market Has Flipped — Here’s Why It Matters

If you’ve been in the insurance space for more than a few years, you remember the hard market of 2021–2022. Seemingly overnight, cyber carriers clamped down on underwriting requirements. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and endpoint detection and response (EDR) became non-negotiable. Premiums tripled or quadrupled. And even with strong controls in place, many businesses couldn’t secure coverage at all.

Fast forward to today, and the pendulum has swung the other way. Carriers are competing aggressively, premiums have dropped, and underwriting has loosened. For insureds, that means now is the most favorable time in years to secure comprehensive cyber coverage.

For agents, the shift represents both a revenue opportunity and a duty to offer. If you’re not bringing cyber to every client conversation, you’re not only missing out on growth—you may be exposing yourself to E&O risk for failing to present coverage that could have protected your clients.

From Hard Market to Soft Market — A Quick History Lesson

To understand where we are today, it’s important to look at how we got here.

  • 2014–2016: The early days of cyber
    Carriers saw cyber as a profitable new line and rushed in with little underwriting expertise. Policies were priced cheap, capacity was high, and standards were minimal.
  • 2020: The COVID-19 trigger
    The pandemic forced an overnight shift to remote work. Employees logged in from unsecured home devices. IT teams were unprepared. Hackers exploited the chaos, driving a surge in ransomware and other attacks.
  • 2021–2022: The hardest market yet
    Carriers exited the space or tightened underwriting to the extreme. If clients didn’t have every security measure in place, they couldn’t even get a quote. Premiums soared, and coverage was scarce.
  • 2023–2024: The rebound
    After two years of profitability, new entrants flooded back into cyber. Competition increased, underwriting loosened, and premiums softened. The result is today’s buyer-friendly environment.

The lesson is simple: cyber runs in cycles. The current soft market won’t last forever. Agents who act now can position themselves—and their clients—for success before conditions inevitably tighten again.

Why Now Is the Best Time for Clients to Buy Cyber Insurance

Cyber

Cyber isn’t just another coverage to check off a list—it’s becoming a contractual requirement across industries. More and more clients are finding language in their agreements that mandate cyber liability insurance, sometimes with limits as high as $5 million.

At the same time, today’s soft market conditions mean:

  • Lower premiums than we’ve seen in years.
  • Broader coverage options thanks to increased carrier competition.
  • Reduced underwriting requirements that make it easier for small and mid-sized businesses to qualify.

For insureds, that means they can lock in strong coverage at affordable pricing. For producers, it means you can have the conversation without the roadblocks that frustrated clients during the hard market.

As Zane Goldthorpe put it:

“Right now is the best time to buy cyber—it’s as cheap as you’ll find it, and requirements are lower. Agents need to take advantage of this market before it shifts again.”

Cyber Insurance Beyond the Premium — A Risk Management Tool

Too often, producers make the mistake of pitching cyber as a way to generate revenue. While it certainly drives growth, the primary value of cyber is protection.

Clients face increasing exposure from:

  • Ransomware attacks that can shut down operations.
  • Third-party breaches where vendors or contractors are compromised.
  • Contractual liability that requires cyber coverage regardless of perceived risk.

Cyber insurance is both a defensive shield for clients and a protective measure for agents. By offering it consistently, you safeguard your book against uncovered claims that could boomerang back as an E&O exposure.

Resources like ProWriters University provide agents with the education they need to confidently position cyber as a risk management tool rather than a sales gimmick.

Contractors, A&E Firms, and Other Overlooked Classes

Some industries still underestimate their cyber exposure. Contractors, for example, often assume that because they’re not handling sensitive consumer data, they aren’t targets. The reality is very different.

  • Many large-scale breaches have originated through contractor networks.
  • Construction contracts increasingly require cyber coverage to qualify for bids.
  • Premiums for small and mid-sized contractors are lower than ever in today’s market.

The same goes for architects and engineers (A&E firms). Zane shared an example of an architect friend whose firm was surprised to find a cyber requirement in a bid contract. It’s no longer optional—it’s written into the agreements that drive business.

With ProWriters’ acquisition by Victor, the opportunities extend even further. Producers now have access to expanded products in E&O, A&E, real estate, and nonprofit D&O, creating natural cross-sell opportunities alongside cyber.

Looking Ahead — Where the Market Is Going Next

Cyber

All signs suggest the market may begin leveling off. Carrier profitability is slipping, claims activity is increasing, and industry reports predict firmer conditions ahead.

But history shows that hardening doesn’t happen overnight. Markets often remain soft longer than expected before the shift comes. That means producers still have time—but not unlimited time—to act.

As Zane noted:

“You might not find a better time to buy cyber than right now.”

The window is open. Agents who move quickly can lock in favorable terms for their clients while also building stronger, more resilient books of business.

Final Thoughts

Cyber insurance isn’t just another line of coverage. It’s a cornerstone of modern risk management—and one of the best growth opportunities available to commercial producers today.

We’re in the middle of a soft market where pricing is low, competition is high, and underwriting requirements are manageable. That won’t last forever. Producers who seize the moment now will not only protect their clients but also secure a stronger, more diversified book of business.

If you haven’t already, start the conversation with every client. Audit your book for missed opportunities. And lean on partners like ProWriters and the expanded offerings through Victor to deliver comprehensive solutions that go beyond just cyber.

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Why the Soft Cyber Market Is Your Best Opportunity: Protecting Clients, Managing Risk, and Driving Revenue

February 3, 2026 No Comments

The cyber insurance market has always been unpredictable. Over the past decade, we’ve seen it move from an emerging line of coverage to one of the most volatile, swinging rapidly between soft and hard market cycles. But today, cyber has entered one of the softest markets in recent memory—and that presents a rare opportunity for both agents and clients.

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