Bricking Coverage: Why Business Owners Should Pay Attention

Imagine waking up to find that your laptops, servers, or point-of-sale systems have all been turned into useless hunks of plastic and metal. That’s what happens in a bricking cyberattack—when hackers corrupt the software or firmware inside your devices, leaving them permanently inoperable. Unlike a data breach where files can often be recovered, a bricking attack can mean total hardware loss and serious downtime.

Where Insurance Fits In

Here’s the catch: most standard cyber or property insurance policies don’t cover bricking. Because there’s no “physical damage” in the traditional sense, many insurers exclude it. That’s why bricking coverage exists—it’s a policy enhancement that helps pay for replacing or restoring devices that hackers have rendered useless.

What’s Typically Covered

Bricking coverage usually takes care of the big costs:

• Replacing bricked hardware (laptops, servers, POS systems, IoT devices, etc.)
• Labor and installation for setting up the new devices
• Proper disposal of the old equipment

For business owners, this can make the difference between a quick recovery and a major financial setback.

Watch Out for Coverage Gaps

Even with bricking coverage in place, there are often limitations. Some policies only cover mass events (affecting multiple devices), while others apply on a per-device basis. Sub-limits, waiting periods, or exclusions (like installation costs) can also leave you paying out of pocket.

Best Practices for Business Owners

Review your policies side-by-side. Look at both cyber and property coverage to spot gaps.

Know your critical devices. Identify the hardware your business can’t afford to lose—like servers or manufacturing equipment—and make sure it’s covered.

Ask questions. Work with your broker to clarify what’s included, what’s excluded, and what triggers a claim.

Bottom Line

Bricking coverage isn’t just another add-on—it’s protection against one of the most destructive types of cyberattacks. By taking the time to review your policies now, you can avoid costly surprises later.

At Concierge Insurance Group, we help business owners navigate coverage options and close gaps that could put operations at risk. Want to make sure you’re protected? Let’s talk.