Tech Startup Insurance
Coverage built for the way tech companies actually work. D&O for your board, E&O for your product, cyber for your data — from seed stage to IPO.
Your VC Term Sheet Says “D&O Required Before Close.” Now What?
It happens the same way every time. You’ve been negotiating the round for months, the term sheet is signed, and your lawyer sends over the closing checklist. Buried in there: “Provide evidence of D&O insurance with minimum $X in coverage.”
You call your personal insurance agent. They’ve never placed a D&O policy. They don’t know what Side A, B, or C means. They start calling carriers and tell you it’ll take 2-3 weeks.
Meanwhile, your investor’s wire is on hold.
We’ve placed hundreds of startup policies. We know exactly what investors expect and can bind coverage in days, not weeks.
Tech Companies We Insure
Essential Coverage for Tech Companies
Tech risks are different. Your software, your data, your leadership decisions — each needs specialized protection.
Directors & Officers (D&O)
Protects founders and board members from personal liability for management decisions. Essential for venture-backed startups — investors often require it before funding.
Errors & Omissions (E&O)
Professional liability for software bugs, service failures, or missed deliverables. When your code causes a client's system to crash, E&O responds to cover damages and defense costs.
Cyber Liability
Data breaches, ransomware, and network intrusions. Covers breach response costs, notification expenses, regulatory fines, and business interruption from cyber events.
Employment Practices (EPLI)
Wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment claims. California's employee-friendly laws make EPLI coverage critical as your team grows.
Technology E&O
Specialized professional liability for technology services — covers failures in your software, hosting, or tech services that cause client losses.
Media Liability
Copyright infringement, defamation, and IP disputes related to your content, app store presence, or marketing. Important for consumer-facing tech companies.
Coverage by Funding Stage
Your insurance needs evolve as you grow. Here's what to expect at each stage.
Pre-Seed / Bootstrapped
Basic general liability, cyber liability, and possibly E&O depending on your product. Keep costs low while maintaining essential protection.
Seed / Angel Round
Add D&O insurance — investors will expect it. Increase cyber limits. Consider EPLI as you start hiring.
Series A+
Full D&O with Side A coverage, robust cyber and E&O limits, EPLI, fiduciary liability if you offer benefits. Start thinking about IPO/M&A reps & warranties.
Pre-IPO / M&A
IPO-ready D&O with proper tail coverage, increased limits across all policies, reps & warranties insurance for deals.
Why Bay Area Startups Choose Nadler
Startup-Savvy Coverage
We understand the startup lifecycle — from seed to Series C and beyond. We build coverage that scales with you, not policies designed for traditional businesses.
VC & Investor Ready
We know what investors look for. D&O, cyber, and E&O coverage that satisfies term sheet requirements and due diligence checklists.
Tech-Focused Carriers
We work with carriers that specialize in technology risks — not just general commercial insurers. Better coverage terms, better pricing, better claims handling.
Rapid Turnaround
Closing a round and need coverage fast? We move at startup speed. Quick quotes, fast binding, and certificates when you need them.
The Nadler Approach
We're advisors, not order-takers. When you work with Nadler, you get an insurance partner who understands tech — the funding cycle, the product risks, the rapid scaling. We build coverage that makes sense for where you are today and where you're headed.
Since 1927, we've been helping Bay Area businesses navigate insurance. Being in San Carlos puts us right in the heart of the Peninsula tech ecosystem. We know the landscape, and we're here to help you move fast without leaving yourself exposed.
Learn about our story
Paul’s Take
“I’ve been insuring Bay Area businesses since the 1970s, and I’ve watched the tech industry grow from garages in Palo Alto to the biggest companies in the world. The insurance needs have changed, but the fundamentals haven’t: protect your leadership, protect your product, and protect your people. D&O, E&O, and cyber aren’t optional for tech companies — they’re the foundation. And the earlier you get them right, the less you pay and the fewer headaches you have when investors come knocking.”
— Paul Nadler, Principal
The 5 Most Expensive Startup Insurance Mistakes
Skipping D&O before raising
Investors require D&O before they wire funds. Scrambling to bind coverage during a closing creates delays, weakens your negotiating position, and can stall a round.
$1M cyber limit when handling enterprise data
If you’re processing customer PII, storing health data, or handling payment information, $1M in cyber coverage may not survive a single breach notification. Enterprise clients often require $5M+.
No tail coverage on exit
When your company gets acquired or shuts down, claims-made policies stop covering you. Without tail (extended reporting) coverage, founders are personally exposed for past acts.
Treating EPLI as optional in California
California employment law is aggressive. A single wrongful termination claim from a disgruntled engineer can cost $150K-500K+ to defend and settle. EPLI pays for that.
Using personal auto or renters for business equipment
Your personal renters or auto policy won’t cover $5K+ in laptops and monitors used for business. One theft and you’re replacing everything out of pocket.
Get the Startup Insurance Playbook — Free
We’re putting together a comprehensive guide covering D&O by funding stage, E&O for SaaS, cyber liability, and EPLI — written specifically for Bay Area tech founders by Paul & Zach Nadler. Drop your info and we’ll send it when it’s ready.
Tech Startup Insurance FAQs
When should a tech startup buy D&O insurance?
What's the difference between E&O and Technology E&O?
How much cyber liability coverage does a startup need?
Do VCs require specific insurance coverage?
What insurance do I need for SOC 2 compliance?
Ready to protect your startup?
Get investor-ready coverage from a broker who understands tech.