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What Is Crime Insurance?

Crime insurance can help recover business losses from specified theft and fraud, including employee theft, forgery and payment fraud.

What Does Crime Insurance Cover?

Different Ways Money or Property Can Be Lost

Compare employee theft, forgery, money on premises or in transit, and computer or funds-transfer fraud separately. 2,3
Exposure to discussWhat to find in the quote
Employee theftThe protection selected and who counts as an employee
ForgeryThe relevant protection and its limit
Money at a location or in transitHow each situation is addressed
Computer or funds-transfer fraudThe protection selected and the circumstances it addresses

Payments Induced by an Impersonator

Ask specifically about a payment sent by an employee who was tricked by an impersonator. 4

Who Needs Crime Insurance?

Consider crime coverage if employees or other people handle your business's money, inventory or client property. 6 6

Coverage Examples

These are examples, not coverage guarantees. Your policy terms and the facts of the claim determine what is covered.

What happened

A Fake Supplier Email Redirects a Payment

An email appears to come from your supplier. Your finance team follows its instructions and pays a fraudster's account.

How coverage may help

This is a social-engineering loss. It needs explicit attention in the quote because computer-fraud or funds-transfer coverage may not cover a payment an employee was tricked into authorizing. 1,4,2,3

What happened

You Discover Months of Employee Theft

A bank reconciliation reveals that an employee has been taking money for months.

How coverage may help

Employee-theft coverage may help recover the loss. Discovery dates and reporting deadlines matter, and the policy may group the thefts under one loss limit. 1,2,3

What Exclusions and Conditions Should You Check?

People and Property

Check the definitions of employee and insured property, especially for contractors, volunteers and client assets. 3

Limits and Related Losses

Check separate limits, retentions and whether repeated related thefts count as one loss. 3

Discovery and Reporting

A theft can happen months before anyone notices. Keep three dates in view: when the money was taken, when you discovered the loss and when you reported it. If you changed insurers in between, have the broker explain how both policies' discovery and reporting terms apply. 3

Other Losses and Evidence of a Shortage

Ask how the quote treats lost income, indirect losses and shortages supported only by inventory calculations. 3

How Does Crime Insurance Differ From Cyber Coverage?

Compare crime protection for stolen money or property with cyber protection for breach response and liability; check overlaps in fraud coverage. 1,5

What Do You Need for a Quote?

Exposures and Loss History

Prepare employee and location counts, the money or property exposed to loss, requested limits and prior loss details. 6

Financial and Payment Controls

Be ready to explain bank reconciliations, separation of payment duties, approvals and audit findings. 6 Describe how you confirm vendor bank-detail changes, authenticate transfer requests and train staff against payment fraud. 7
PrepareHow to use it in the discussion
Employee and location countsDescribe the operation being quoted
Money and property exposed to lossExplain what you want insured and the limits you are considering
Prior loss detailsAsk what history and supporting information the application needs
Reconciliation, payment approval and audit practicesExplain how financial responsibilities are divided and checked
Vendor-detail and transfer-request checksDescribe how staff confirm that a payment instruction is authentic
Staff payment-fraud trainingExplain the procedures employees are expected to follow
6 6 7

Key Terms in Plain English

Social Engineering

A payment-fraud scenario in which an impersonator tricks an employee into sending money. Ask about this explicitly. 4

Discovery

When a theft comes to light, which can be different from when it happened. Both dates matter to the coverage review. 3

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Crime Insurance the Same as Cyber?

No. Crime protection concerns specified theft and fraud losses. Cyber protection concerns breach response and liability, though some fraud protection can overlap. 1,5

What if a Theft Happened Before I Discovered It?

The loss and discovery dates both need checking, along with the reporting deadline. This is particularly important if you changed insurers between the theft and its discovery. 3

Does Crime Insurance Cover a Fake Vendor Payment Request?

Check the social-engineering terms specifically. An employee sending money after being tricked by an impersonator needs its own coverage review; a crime policy title alone does not establish protection. 4

Does Crime Insurance Include Employee Theft?

Employee theft is one protection to check in a crime quote. Review it separately from forgery, money on the premises or in transit, and computer or funds-transfer fraud to see which protections you are buying. 2,3

Which Insurance Providers Offer Crime?

Sources

  1. Commercial Insurance Guide. California Department of Insurance; Crime. Version: Form 700 Revised June 14, 2024. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  2. Crime Non-Financial Applications and Forms. Travelers; Opening paragraph; Sample Policy Forms. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  3. Crime Terms and Conditions. The Travelers Companies, Inc.; I.A–G, printed/PDF pages 1–4; III.RR, printed/PDF p.13; V.B.1–2, printed/PDF pp.18–20; Consideration, printed/PDF p.1; III.P p.8; V.A.3 pp.16–17; V.A.4 p.17; V.B.3 p.20; I.A.3 p.1; III.C p.7; III.S pp.8–9; III.II and III.KK p.12; III.QQ p.13; V.A.5 pp.17–18 (printed/PDF pages); IV.J–O, printed/PDF pages 14–15. Version: CRI-3001 Ed. 01-09; 24 pages. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  4. Social Engineering Fraud Insurance. Chubb; Opening; coverage highlights. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  5. Cyber Insurance. Federal Trade Commission; First-party and third-party cyber coverage. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  6. Commercial Crime Coverage Application. Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America; I–III pages 1–2; IX–XI pages 3–4; V–VII, printed/PDF pages 2–3. Version: CRI-1100W-IND Ed. 01-09; 6 pages. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  7. Social Engineering Fraud Supplemental Commercial Crime Application. Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America; General Information; Vendor, Client and Internal Funds-Transfer Controls, page 1. Version: CRI-N-14300 Ed. 07-16; 2 pages. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  8. Alliance Products. Alliance Risk; Coverages product cards, from Accountant Professional Liability through Wrap-Up Insurance. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  9. Insurance For Startups. Amelia Risk Insurance Brokers; Startup audience copy; Insurance policies for startups to consider: D&O, EPL, fiduciary, professional liability, cyber, BOP (property, general liability, hired and non-owned auto), umbrella, employee crime/fidelity, workers compensation. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  10. Insurance For Technology Companies. Amelia Risk Insurance Brokers; Software, hardware, robotics, AI, autonomous-vehicle software and life-sciences audience; Insurance policies for tech companies to consider: D&O, EPL, fiduciary, Tech E&O, cyber, BOP (property, general liability, hired and non-owned auto), general liability, employee crime/fidelity, workers compensation. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  11. Insurance For CPG Companies. Amelia Risk Insurance Brokers; Better-for-you food, beverage and cosmetic audience; Insurance policies for CPG companies to consider: product liability, recall, D&O, EPL, fiduciary, cyber, cargo/stock throughput, auto liability (owned, hired and non-owned), general liability, employee crime/fidelity, workers compensation; FAQ on copacker insurance, product recall versus product liability, hired and non-owned auto, and Prop 65 as possible sublimited defense. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  12. Consumer Product Insurance. Amelia Risk Insurance Brokers; Consumer-goods and accessible-luxury audience; Insurance policies for Consumer Product companies to consider: product recall, product liability, D&O, EPL, fiduciary, cyber, cargo/stock throughput, auto liability (owned, hired and non-owned), umbrella, employee crime/fidelity, workers compensation. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  13. Crime and Fidelity. Beazley; What we offer: Commercial Crime (commercial companies) and Financial Fidelity Bonds (financial institutions); fraudulent instruction condition. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  14. Management liability — United States product brochure. CFC; Page 1: opening coverage list; What else is in the policy?; What we decline. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  15. Fintech insurance. CFC; What does CFC’s fintech policy cover?; Fintech product. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  16. The ForeFront Portfolio. Chubb; ForeFront Portfolio introduction; available coverages for private, not-for-profit and healthcare organizations: D&O, EPL, fiduciary, employed lawyers, crime, kidnap/ransom and workplace violence expense. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  17. Insurance For Software Product & System Developers. Chubb; Property & casualty and financial-lines coverage solutions lists for software and systems developers. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  18. Executive Risks. Coalition; FAQ: What type of businesses do you protect?, What limits do you offer? and What resources do you have for policyholders?; Product Offering: D&O, EPL, fiduciary, crime. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  19. Corgi Insurance homepage. Corgi Insurance Services, Inc.; Product packages: Cyber and Directors & Officers; Growth Stage and Custom Package; Self-Serve (apply, get quoted in minutes, bind same-day) and Book a Demo paths; Explore Our Main Policies: Commercial General Liability, Crime Insurance, Fiduciary Liability, Hired and Non-Owned Auto (HNOA), Worker’s Compensation; Specialized coverages: Employment Practices Liability (EPLI), K&R (Kidnap & Ransom), Representations and Warranties; Commercial Umbrella Liability; Business Owners Policy (BOP); Coverage sales cards: Media Liability, Medical Malpractice, Miscellaneous E&O; Core Operations: Tech E&O Insurance; Tech & AI Liability product module; Transportation menu: Auto Liability, Contractual Liability Insurance - Cargo; FAQ on cost, claims, and binding; footer entity, program-administrator and issuing-carrier notices. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  20. Coverage Hub. Coverdash; Core Business: General Liability, Business Owner’s Policy, Commercial Property, Workers’ Comp; Professional & Management: Professional Liability, Tech E&O, Lawyers Professional Liability, Directors & Officers, Employment Practices, Fiduciary, Management Liability, Media Liability; Cyber & Crime: Cyber Insurance, Crime Coverage, Kidnap & Ransom; Property & Catastrophe: Builder’s Risk, Equipment Breakdown, Inland Marine; Auto & Transport: Commercial Auto, Motor Truck Cargo, Non-Trucking Liability, Ocean Marine; Excess & Specialty: Umbrella, Excess Liability, Product Liability, Product Recall, Liquor Liability, Surety Bond; Get a quote links. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  21. Management Liability Coverage For Small And Medium Enterprises. Cowbell; FAQs: How can I access… and What size accounts are targeted?; Cowbell Management Liability introduction; Zurich Select Plus description: admitted paper; private-company D&O, employment practices, fiduciary liability and crime modules. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  22. Small And Midsize Business Management Liability. Zurich North America; Zurich Select Plus collaboration; admitted paper and Zurich Claims; modular suite: D&O, Employment Practices and Third-Party Discrimination Liability, Fiduciary Liability and Crime modules; access for appointed Zurich E&S wholesalers; target under 250 employees and $50 million assets; access and target-account FAQs. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  23. Business Insurance Coverage Options. Embroker; Individual coverages: Business Owners Policy, Commercial Crime, Cyber, Directors & Officers, Employment Practices Liability, Fiduciary Liability, General Liability, Professional Liability (Errors and Omissions), Workers Compensation; Coverages navigation: Lawyers Professional Liability, Professional Liability, Tech Errors and Omissions; industry packages; invitation to seek other policies through Embroker; Get a Quote links. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  24. Coverage. Founder Shield; Core Coverage: Crime Insurance, Cyber Liability, Directors & Officers, Employment Practices Liability, Fiduciary Liability, General Liability, Property Insurance; Specialized Coverage: Digital Asset Insurance, ERISA Fidelity Bond, Hired & Non-Owned Auto, Intellectual Property, Key Person & Contract Frustration, Last-Mile Delivery Insurance, Transit & Transportation; product cards: Errors & Omissions, Product Liability, Representations and Warranties, Umbrella Insurance, VCAP, Virtual Care & Telehealth Insurance, Workers Compensation; Health & Benefits: Employee Health & Benefits; Get a Quote and Learn More links. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  25. Executive and Financial Risk Insurance. Gallagher; Opening (insurance broking and placement); three key services; Directors and Officers; IPO and direct listings; Employment Practices; Fiduciary; Employee Dishonesty (Crime) and Fidelity Bond; Kidnap, Ransom and Extortion; M&A Transactional Insurance. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  26. Home Care Business Insurance. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; We offer comprehensive coverage for: workers’ compensation, general and professional liability, EPL, owned auto, Non-owned and Hired Auto, Crime–Third Party Theft, Employee Dishonesty Bond, cyber, medical billing E&O and property; home-care, home-health and hospice program audience. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  27. Crime Insurance Brokers. HUB International; Crime/fraud coverage product page for private, public and not-for-profit organizations. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  28. HUB ProEx. HUB International; Professional & Executive Risk practice: EPL, fiduciary, crime/fidelity, K&R; ProEx Coverages: Executive Liability; Cyber, Technology E&O, and Intellectual Property; Financial Institutions; certificates of insurance; claims and legal support; carrier-premium figure; FAQ on management liability and ProEx program structuring. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  29. Risk & People Solutions for Private Equity Firms. Lockton; Lockton capabilities across the investment life cycle: D&O/GPL, transaction insurance (reps, tax, litigation), E&O, crime and FI bonds, cyber, EPL, surety, portfolio company programs, key person insurance and benefits design. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  30. Expert Executive and Professional Liability Insurance | MMA. Marsh McLennan Agency; Executive and Professional Liability introduction; Our policies include (D&O, E&O, EPL, commercial crime/fidelity, cyber, fiduciary, media, IP, kidnap and ransom); D&O, Employment Practices Liability and cyber subsections. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  31. Executive Risk. Newfront; Key Coverages to Protect Your Business: Directors and Officers (D&O) for private and public companies, Errors and Omissions (E&O), Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI), Fiduciary, Fidelity and Crime, Kidnap & Ransom; Committed to Client Advocacy: integrated claims and coverage negotiation; Industry-Leading Technology; Executive Risk Solutions Practice Leader description of management liability lines; brokerage footer. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  32. Lines of Business. Relm Insurance; Financial Lines through Specialty Lines; individual offering lists. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  33. Startup Insurance Coverage. RiskCube; All coverage types: product sales cards and Learn more routes; footer producer-role disclosure. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  34. Startup Insurance | Coverage that clears the review. StartupInsurance.ai; Hero; Coverage: What we place and The startup program; AI coverage that names AI; Physical risk, because AI outgrew software; The paperwork runs itself; carrier panel; Straight talk; footer agency and issuer disclosure. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  35. Management Liability Insurance | Get a Quote. The Hartford; Opening Private Choice Premier package description (D&O, EPL, fiduciary, crime, kidnap and ransom/extortion) and agent route; Who Does Management Liability Insurance Protect?; Fiduciary Liability Insurance; Crime Insurance; option to add certain coverages to a BOP; management-liability organization sections. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  36. Fidelity & Crime Insurance. Travelers; Fidelity and crime insuring agreements including social engineering, computer fraud and employee dishonesty; Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America footer. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  37. Business Services. USI Insurance Services; Listed coverage solutions including D&O, EPL, crime, fiduciary, E&O, cyber, kidnap and ransom, and claim advocacy. Accessed 2026-09-16.
  38. Insurance for Technology Companies. Vouch; Expertise (AI, SaaS, eCommerce, Fintech, Hardware, Crypto); Core coverages for Technology: Tech Errors & Omissions, Cyber Liability, Directors & Officers (D&O), Employment Practices Liability (EPLI), General Liability, Product Liability, Crime, Umbrella, Workers’ Compensation; Learn About Coverages: Key Person Coverage; A partner for every stage of growth; FAQs on pricing and time to coverage; technology errors and omissions blog teaser; insurance-services footer. Accessed 2026-09-16.

Updated .

Sources checked .

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