Cyber ​​insurance on the rise: almost every second company protects itself!

Cyber ​​insurance on the rise: almost every second company protects itself!

Companies in Germany are increasingly relying on cyber insurance to protect themselves against the growing threats posed by cybercrime. According to a survey by ZEW Mannheim, which was carried out from mid-March to mid-April 2025, almost half of the companies surveyed in the manufacturing and information industries have already taken out such insurance. This shows a clear trend towards professional security in times of increasing cyber attacks. More than 1,200 companies took part in the survey, which underlines the relevance of the results.

However, the prevalence of cyber insurance varies greatly depending on the industry and company size. In the information economy, around 50 percent of companies have cyber insurance. Large companies in particular are well insured; around 66 percent of companies with at least 100 employees have such a policy. For medium and small companies, this proportion is 59 percent and 46 percent respectively.

Industry analyzes and future developments

The highest usage rate is in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries at 58 percent. In other areas, such as knowledge-intensive service providers, mechanical engineering and the ICT sector, around 50 percent of companies take out insurance. However, a warning sign remains the low penetration among media service providers, which is only 26 percent. In addition, one in five companies plans to take out cyber insurance in the future.

There are many reasons for the increasing threat of cybercrime. Geopolitical tensions, the use of advanced technologies by criminals and flexible working models such as home offices are driving the increase in cyberattacks. Cyber ​​insurance not only offers comprehensive coverage for personal and third-party damage, but also support from IT experts, lawyers and PR specialists in the event of damage. This represents an important addition to preventive measures such as technical security precautions, regular data backups and employee training.

Global dimensions of cyber security

The development of global cyber security is also threatened by increased state-controlled cyber activities. Loud Munich Re The use of generative AI by anti-democratic systems could lead to disinformation and manipulation, which has enormous social and geopolitical implications. One of the key challenges will be the upcoming elections, including the 2024 US presidential election, where there is a risk of election disruption through cyberattacks. Over 40 other major elections worldwide could affect over 4 billion eligible voters.

Malinformation poses a costly threat to organizations through 2028, with spending exceeding $30 billion. Nation-state activities could increase with economic, military and political espionage operations, with cybercriminals sometimes supported by state institutions. This development makes it clear how important cyber insurance has become in today's world to protect companies not only financially but also operationally.