Keeping people connected.
General liability, technology E&O, cyber, equipment and workers' comp for small phone, internet, cable, wireless and broadcasting companies.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
Outages, crews and customer data
Telecom companies carry two kinds of risk. In the field, crews climb poles and towers, dig for fiber and work inside customers' homes, which brings falls, utility strikes and property damage. On the service side, an outage or failed install can lead to claims for a customer's lost business.
Technology E&O can cover claims about service failures, and cyber can cover network breaches and customer data. Many phone companies in California are regulated by the Public Utilities Commission and broadcasters are licensed by the FCC, and business customers often write E&O and cyber limits into their contracts.
- Technology E&OOutages and service failures.
- Cyber liabilityNetwork breaches and customer data.
- General liabilityDamage on installs and digs.
- EquipmentNetwork gear, towers and tools.
What underwriters will ask
Having these ready means I can go to market on the first call. The quote form asks for the same things, and anything you don’t know yet can wait.
- Services: phone, internet, cable, wireless or broadcasting.
- Field work: tower climbing, trenching or in-home installs.
- Customers: residential, business or wholesale, and service-level promises.
- Equipment: towers, network gear and their values.
- Payroll and vehicles: crews, office staff and trucks.
- History: current policies and any outage claims.
Telecom company insurance, answered
Does general liability cover a customer's lost business from an outage?
Usually not. Financial loss from a service failure falls under technology E&O, subject to the policy terms.
Is tower climbing hard to insure?
Yes. Fewer carriers write work at height on towers, and surplus lines markets are common for it.
Is equipment on towers and in the field covered?
It can be, under inland marine or equipment coverage scheduled by location.
Are utility strikes covered when we dig for fiber?
Damage to underground lines is often covered by general liability, though some policies limit it. Tell me if you trench or bore.
Do you offer telecom company insurance outside California?
Yes. Clients across the country send the same quote form. Sam Alishahi is licensed in 48 states and Washington, DC and places policies there directly. In Florida and Washington, where Sam's licenses are still being issued, a partner agency in your state helps in the meantime. The shopping across carriers works the same way. Rules, minimums and markets differ by state — see insurance requirements by state.
Send your service details. I'll shop it.
Services, field work and revenue are enough to start.
Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, California License #4348151. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage; coverage depends on underwriting and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy actually issued. Some policies may be placed with nonadmitted (surplus lines) insurers, which are not members of the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA).
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(877) 711-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
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