---
title: Biometric Coverage Exclusions
description: As states continue to propose legislation to protect biometric data, insurance companies need to consider how to cover this risk.
image: https://blog.plrisk.com/hubfs/finger-2081169_1280.jpg
---

[![2012 PLRisk Logo-Feb-28-2023-09-30-45-0928-PM](https://blog.plrisk.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2012%20PLRisk%20Logo-Feb-28-2023-09-30-45-0928-PM.png?width=1650&height=500&name=2012%20PLRisk%20Logo-Feb-28-2023-09-30-45-0928-PM.png "2012 PLRisk Logo-Feb-28-2023-09-30-45-0928-PM")](https://plrisk.com/)

[![PL Risk](https://blog.plrisk.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Pl_Risk_June_2020/images/plrisk-50x140-logo.png?width=300&height=300&name=plrisk-50x140-logo.png "PL Risk")](https://plrisk.com/)

- [HOME](https://plrisk.com/)
- [CUSTOMER CENTER](https://plrisk.com/#) 
    - [Make A Payment](https://plrisk.epaypolicy.com/)
    - [Submit An Application](https://www.plrisk.com/applications/)
    - [Confirmation of Coverage](mailto:info@plrisk.com)
    - [Download Applications](https://plrisk.com/applications)
    - [File a Claim](https://plrisk.com/file-a-claim)
    - [Claim Scenarios](https://plrisk.com/claim-scenarios)
    - [FAQs](https://plrisk.com/faqs)
    - [Industry Tools](https://plrisk.com/industry-tools)
    - [Free Cyber Hotline](https://plrisk.com/free-cyber-hotline)
    - [Get Appointed](https://plrisk.com/for-agents)
- [INDUSTRIES WE SERVE](https://plrisk.com/#) 
    - [Architects & Engineers](https://plrisk.com/architects-engineers/)
    - [Financial Institutions](https://plrisk.com/financial-institutions/)
    - [Healthcare / Medical](https://plrisk.com/healthcare-medical/)
    - [Insurance](https://plrisk.com/insurance/)
    - [Technology](https://plrisk.com/technology/)
    - [Consulting](https://plrisk.com/consulting/)
    - [Legal](https://plrisk.com/legal)
    - [Real Estate](https://plrisk.com/real-estate/)
    - [Media](https://plrisk.com/media)
    - [Miscellaneous Services](https://plrisk.com/miscellaneous-services/)
- [PRODUCTS](https://plrisk.com/#) 
    - [Overview](https://plrisk.com/products)
    - [Errors and Omissions](https://plrisk.com/products/errors-omissions)
    - [Directors and Officers](https://plrisk.com/products/directors-officers/)
    - [Commercial Crime](https://plrisk.com/products/commercial-crime/)
    - [Employment Practices](https://plrisk.com/products/employment-practices/)
    - [Cybersecurity](https://plrisk.com/products/fiduciary/)
    - [Fiduciary](https://plrisk.com/products/cybersecurity/)
- MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS 
    - [Reps and Warranties Sell](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/PLR-Reps-and-Warranties-SellSide-Onesheet.pdf)
    - [Reps and Warranties](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/PLR-Reps-and-Warranties-Onesheet.pdf)
- CANNABIS 
    - [Overview](https://www.plrisk.com/products/cannabis-insurance)
    - [Account Highlights](https://blog.plrisk.com/hubfs/PLR%20-%20Cannabis%20Assets/PLR-CANNABIS-account%20highlights_Onesheet-V2.pdf)
    - [Commercial Property](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-commercial-property/)
    - [Commercial Crime](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-business-insurance-commercial-crime)
    - [Cyber Liability](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PLR-12-CANNABIS-Cyber-Insurance-Onesheet-V8.pdf)
    - [D&O](https://blog.plrisk.com/hubfs/PLR%20-%20Cannabis%20Assets/PLR-CANNABIS-D%26O-Onesheet-V1.pdf)
    - [E&O](https://blog.plrisk.com/hubfs/PLR%20-%20Cannabis%20Assets/PLR-CANNABIS-E%26O-Onesheet-V1.pdf)
    - [EPLI](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PLR-10-CANNABIS-Employment-Practices-Liability-Onesheet-V9.pdf)
    - [General Liability](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PLR-02-CANNABIS-General-Liability-Onesheet-V4-1.pdf)
    - [Product Liability](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PLR-03-CANNABIS-Product-Liability-Onesheet-V2-4.pdf)
    - [Workers’ Comp](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PLR-05-CANNABIS-Workers-Compensation-Onesheet-Reduced.pdf)
- [SELECT](https://www.plrisk.com/products/select-division/)
- [ABOUT](https://plrisk.com/#) 
    - [Our Team](https://plrisk.com/our-team/)
    - [Careers](https://www.plrisk.com/careers/)
    - [Our Charity](https://plrisk.com/helping-hands/)
- NEWSROOM 
    - [Blog](https://blog.plrisk.com)
    - [Newsletters](https://www.plrisk.com/plr-newsletters/)
- QUOTE ONLINE 
    - [Hiscox NOW Small Business Insurance](https://www.hiscox.com/partner-agent/plriskadvisors)
    - [Custom Quote](https://www.hiscox.com/partner-agent/plriskadvisors)

- CUSTOMER  
  CENTER
  
  
  
    - [MAKE A PAYMENT](https://plrisk.epaypolicy.com/)
    - [SUBMIT AN APPLICATION](https://www.plrisk.com/applications/)
    - [CONFIRMATION OF COVERAGE](mailto:info@plrisk.com)
    - [DOWNLOAD APPLICATIONS](https://plrisk.com/applications)
    - [FILE A CLAIM](https://plrisk.com/file-a-claim)
    - [CLAIM SCENARIOS](https://plrisk.com/claim-scenarios)
    - [FAQs](https://plrisk.com/faqs)
    - [INDUSTRY TOOLS](https://plrisk.com/industry-tools)
    - [FREE CYBER HOTLINE](https://plrisk.com/free-cyber-hotline)
    - [GET APPOINTED](https://plrisk.com/for-agents)
- INDUSTRIES  
  WE SERVE
  
  
  
    - [TITLE AGENTS & MORTGAGE BROKERS](https://www.plrisk.com/real-estate/)
    - [REAL ESTATE](https://www.plrisk.com/real-estate/)
    - [LEGAL](https://www.plrisk.com/legal/)
    - [MEDIA](https://www.plrisk.com/media/)
    - [ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS](https://www.plrisk.com/architects-engineers/)
    - [FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS](https://www.plrisk.com/financial-institutions/)
    - [CONSULTING](https://www.plrisk.com/consulting/)
    - [MISC. SERVICES](https://www.plrisk.com/miscellaneous-services/)
    - [HEALTHCARE MEDICAL](https://www.plrisk.com/healthcare-medical/)
    - [INSURANCE](https://www.plrisk.com/insurance/)
    - [TECHNOLOGY](https://www.plrisk.com/technology/)
    - [SPACs](https://www.plrisk.com/spacs/)
- PRODUCTS
  
  
  
    - [PRODUCTS OVERVIEW](https://plrisk.com/products)
    - [Errors & Omissions](https://plrisk.com/products/errors-omissions)
    - [Directors & Officers](https://plrisk.com/products/directors-officers/)
    - [Commercial Crime](https://plrisk.com/products/commercial-crime/)
    - [EPLI](https://plrisk.com/products/employment-practices/)
    - [Fiduciary Liability](https://plrisk.com/products/fiduciary/)
    - [Cybersecurity](https://plrisk.com/products/cybersecurity/)
- [MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PLR-Managing-Insurance-Coverage-eBook-03272023.pdf)
  
  
  
    - [Reps and Warranties](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/PLR-Reps-and-Warranties-Onesheet.pdf)
    - [Reps and Warranties Sell](https://www.plrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/PLR-Reps-and-Warranties-SellSide-Onesheet.pdf)
- [CANNABIS](https://www.plrisk.com/products/cannabis-insurance)
  
  
  
    - [Overview](https://www.plrisk.com/products/cannabis-insurance)
    - [Account Highlights](https://blog.plrisk.com/hubfs/PLR%20-%20Cannabis%20Assets/PLR-CANNABIS-account%20highlights_Onesheet-V2.pdf)
    - [Commercial Crime](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-business-insurance-commercial-crime)
    - [Commercial Property](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-commercial-property/)
    - [Cyber Liability](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-business-insurance-cyber-liability/)
    - [D&O](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-directors-officers-do-liability/)
    - [E&O](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-errors-omissions-eo/)
    - [EPLI](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-employment-practices-liability/)
    - [General Liability](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-general-liability/)
    - [Product Liability](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-product-liability/)
    - [Workers’ Comp](https://www.plrisk.com/cannabis-business-insurance-workers-compensation/)
- [SELECT](https://www.plrisk.com/products/select-division/)
- ABOUT
  
  
  
    - [Our Team](https://plrisk.com/about-us/)
    - [Our Charity](https://plrisk.com/helping-hands/)
    - [Careers](https://www.plrisk.com/careers/)
- NEWSROOM
  
  
  
    - [BLOG](https://blog.plrisk.com)
    - [NEWSLETTERS](https://www.plrisk.com/plr-newsletters/)
- QUOTE  
  ONLINE
  
  
  
    - [Hiscox NOW Small Business Insurance](https://www.hiscox.com/partner-agent/plriskadvisors)
    - [Custom Quote](https://www.hiscox.com/partner-agent/plriskadvisors)

×

### Get A Quote

# Biometric Coverage Exclusions

[Drew Smith](https://blog.plrisk.com/author/drew-smith)

 Aug 21, 2020, 12:45:00 PM

![](https://blog.plrisk.com/hubfs/finger-2081169_1280.jpg)

![finger-2081169_1280](https://blog.plrisk.com/hs-fs/hubfs/finger-2081169_1280.jpg?width=1280&name=finger-2081169_1280.jpg)Biometrics have become an increasingly valuable source of secure connection to a server. Being able to use your unique fingerprints and retinas provide some level of comfort to those looking for security. But protecting it creates some complications in the insurance field.

As far as legislation goes, only four states, Illinois, California, Texas and Washington State have laws making it illegal to hold a person’s biometric data without their consent. Of those only Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act allows for a consumer to actually sue a company over this, as was the case with Six Flags in *Rosenbach v. Six Flags Entertainment Corporation*. In that case, a season pass holder sued the company because they required fingerprints without informing them what they needed it for. Many other states are considering this legislation showing this issue is becoming a hot button issue.

Insuring it however is a different problem. Biometrics means biological material, I.e .fingerprints and DNA meaning this could fall under general liability policies. The storage of this data implies that it’s going into an online storage facility which would require cyber liability coverage. “However, there is no standard cyber insurance policy wording. The extent of coverage available for these kinds of claims could depend on a number of policy terms and conditions, including, for example, the collection of protected confidential information must be disclosed or divulged to third parties in order for the coverage to be triggered.”[\[1\]](https://blog.plrisk.com/biometric-coverage-exclusions#_ftn1)

As states continue to propose legislation to protect biometric data, insurance companies need to consider how to cover this risk. Talk with your customers about your options and how to use said data correctly.

[\[1\]](https://blog.plrisk.com/biometric-coverage-exclusions#_ftnref1) [https://www.dandodiary.com/2019/11/articles/privacy/the-complicated-threat-of-biometric-data-privacy-class-actions/](https://www.dandodiary.com/2019/11/articles/privacy/the-complicated-threat-of-biometric-data-privacy-class-actions/)

## Recent Posts

- [Tracking Cookies Beginning to Run Afoul of Consumer Data Protection Laws](https://blog.plrisk.com/tracking-cookies-beginning-to-run-afoul-of-consumer-data-protection-laws)
- [PLRisk welcomes Jeffery Phi to their growing Wholesale Broker roster](https://blog.plrisk.com/plrisk-welcomes-jeffery-phi-to-their-growing-wholesale-broker-roster)
- [PLRisk Welcomes Michelle Delaney as Wholesale Account Manager](https://blog.plrisk.com/plrisk-welcomes-michelle-delany-as-wholesale-account-manager)
- [PLRisk Spotlights Rachel Coughlin](https://blog.plrisk.com/plrisk-spotlights-rachael-coughlin)
- [PLRisk congratulates Matt Culkin on joining NJYIP Board](https://blog.plrisk.com/plrisk-congratulates-matt-culkin-on-joining-njyip-board)

Search

### Share this post

[![Share on facebook](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528309/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.plrisk.com%2Fbiometric-coverage-exclusions%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on linkedin](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.plrisk.com%2Fbiometric-coverage-exclusions%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on twitter](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/x-twitter-color.png?width=24&name=x-twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.plrisk.com%2Fbiometric-coverage-exclusions%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.plrisk.com%2Fbiometric-coverage-exclusions%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on email](https://7528311.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528311/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/email-color.png?width=24&name=email-color.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.plrisk.com%2Fbiometric-coverage-exclusions%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.plrisk.com%2Fbiometric-coverage-exclusions%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail)

### Subscribe to our blog

[![PLRisk-LogoWhite](https://blog.plrisk.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PLRisk-LogoWhite.png?width=400&height=123&name=PLRisk-LogoWhite.png "PLRisk-LogoWhite")](https://plrisk.com/)

### Stay connected to learn the latest from PLRisk

By clicking submit I agree to the  [Privacy Policy](https://www.plrisk.com/privacy-policy)  and [Terms & Conditions.](https://www.plrisk.com/terms-conditions/)

###### 795 Franklin Avenue, Suite 210 Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417 Tel: (855) 403-5982 Fax: 201-847-9174

- RESOURCES 
    - [DOWNLOAD APPLICATIONS](https://plrisk.com/applications)
    - [FILE A CLAIM](https://plrisk.com/file-a-claim)
    - [CLAIM SCENARIOS](https://plrisk.com/claim-scenarios)
    - [FAQs](https://plrisk.com/faqs)
    - [INDUSTRY TOOLS](https://plrisk.com/industry-tools)
    - [FREE CYBER HOTLINE](https://plrisk.com/free-cyber-hotline)
    - [GET APPOINTED](https://plrisk.com/for-agents)
- PRODUCTS 
    - [PRODUCTS OVERVIEW](https://plrisk.com/products)
    - [ERRORS & OMISSIONS](https://plrisk.com/products/errors-omissions)
    - [DIRECTORS & OFFICERS](https://plrisk.com/products/directors-officers/)
    - [COMMERCIAL CRIME](https://plrisk.com/products/commercial-crime/)
    - [EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES](https://plrisk.com/products/employment-practices/)
    - [FIDUCIARY LIABILITY](https://plrisk.com/products/fiduciary/)
    - [CYBERSECURITY](https://plrisk.com/products/cybersecurity/)
- PROFESSIONS 
    - [TITLE AGENTS & MORTGAGE BROKERS](https://plrisk.com/real-estate/)
    - [REAL ESTATE](https://plrisk.com/real-estate/)
    - [LEGAL](https://plrisk.com/legal)
    - [MEDIA](https://plrisk.com/media)
    - [ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS](https://plrisk.com/architects-engineers/)
    - [FINANCIAL INST.](https://plrisk.com/financial-institutions/)
    - [CONSULTING](https://plrisk.com/consulting/)
    - [MISC. SERVICES](https://plrisk.com/miscellaneous-services/)
    - [HEALTHCARE/MEDICAL](https://plrisk.com/healthcare-medical/)
    - [INSURANCE](https://plrisk.com/insurance/)
    - [TECHNOLOGY](https://plrisk.com/technology/)
- ABOUT 
    - [OUR TEAM](https://www.plrisk.com/about-us/)
    - [BLOG](https://blog.plrisk.com/)
    - [OUR CHARITY](https://plrisk.com/helping-hands/)
    - [CAREERS](https://www.plrisk.com/careers/)
    - [PRIVACY POLICY](https://www.plrisk.com/privacy-policy)
    - [TERMS & CONDITIONS](https://www.plrisk.com/terms-conditions/)
    - [ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT](https://www.plrisk.com/accessibility-statement/)
    - [STATE LICENSES](https://www.plrisk.com/state-licenses/)

Copyright © 2023 PLRisk | All Rights Reserved | [Privacy Policy](https://www.plrisk.com/privacy-policy)

PLRisk Specialty Insurance Agency LLC is a licensed insurance broker legally operating in the state of New Jersey under license number NJ 3002329782 and in California DBA NJ PLRisk Specialty Insurance Agency LLC, License number CA 6009937