Why Renewal Is Harder in 2025
Cyber insurance used to be simple. Fill out a questionnaire, check a few boxes, and your policy renewed. Not anymore. In 2025, carriers want proof: evidence that your business has MFA, Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR), and backup restore testing in place.
For Milwaukee SMBs, this shift has meant surprise premium hikes, renewal delays, and in some cases—denials of coverage. The good news: with a focused approach, you can still get renewal-ready in 30 days.
Keep reading for more details, as well as essential resources we put together for you down below!
What Changed in Cyber Insurance Underwriting
Carriers are moving away from “trust but verify” to verify or deny. Here’s what’s new:
- MFA enforcement proof → not just a policy, but screenshots or coverage reports.
- EDR deployment logs → insurers call out EDR by name, distinguishing it from legacy antivirus.
- Backup restore test evidence → success logs aren’t enough; underwriters want proof of a recent restore.
Locally, brokers across Greater Milwaukee are reporting much heavier questionnaires, with more technical controls required.
The 3 Non-Negotiables for SMBs
1. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Insurers now assume password-only environments are unprotected. To pass underwriting, you’ll need MFA across email, VPN, and admin accounts — and the ability to show where it’s enforced (and where it isn’t yet).
2. Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR)
Antivirus is no longer enough. EDR provides continuous monitoring and detection, and underwriters want deployment lists plus confirmation that alerts are active.
3. Backups with Restore Testing
Insurers have seen too many SMBs with “successful” backup jobs that failed when needed. That’s why they ask for a restore test outcome within the last 90 days, not just job completion.
The 30-Day Renewal Rescue Plan (At-a-Glance)
If renewal is around the corner, here’s how to tackle it week by week:
- Week 1: MFA Coverage – Audit MFA enforcement across email, VPN, admin accounts.
- Week 2: EDR Deployment – Validate EDR on every endpoint, ensure logging and alerts.
- Week 3: Backup Restore Test – Run and document a restore test with logs/screenshots.
- Week 4: Finalize Evidence Pack – Review admin rights, patch status, bundle artifacts.
👉 Download the 30-Day Rescue Plan Infographic for a simple visual guide.
What’s at Stake If You Wait
Premium spikes: increases of 20–40% for businesses missing core controls.
- Delayed renewals: leaving you uninsured if coverage lapses.
- Scramble risk: lost productivity if IT is forced into last-minute firefighting.
Practical Tools for Renewal Readiness
Centurion provides SMBs with a suite of free resources:
