UK Property Sector SMEs Underinsured Against Rising Cyber Risks
According to the 2025 UK SME Insurance Survey by GlobalData, cyber insurance adoption in the real estate and renting industry remains below average across all business sizes. The survey found penetration rates of just 7.7% among sole traders, rising to 55.0% for medium-sized businesses—still lower than the broader market averages. Meanwhile, data from the Information Commissioner's Office shows a 17% increase in cyberattacks against UK property services firms between December 2024 and 2025. The real estate sector handles large volumes of sensitive customer information such as bank details, mortgage records, and identity documents—making it an attractive target for cybercriminals. These attacks often lead to ransomware incidents or fraud schemes like payment diversion during property transactions. In one year alone (April 2024–March 2025), there were 143 cases of conveyancing fraud in the UK, resulting in £11.7 million ($15.6 million) in losses. The growing threat landscape and low insurance penetration highlight a significant underinsurance gap that could leave firms exposed to financial loss, business disruption, and reputational damage. Insurers have an opportunity to expand their offerings if they can better educate the sector on cyber risks.
Topics: cybersecurity data breaches insurance penetration real estate SMEs