Media Liability Insurance 
Media Liability Coverage for Today’s Content and Advertising Risks
In the media world, content creation comes with risks, like copyright infringement, defamation, or misrepresentation. Media liability insurance protects professionals and companies against legal claims tied to publishing, broadcasting, and advertising. Whether you’re a freelancer or part of a larger agency, this coverage helps safeguard your reputation and financial security.
What Is Media Liability Insurance?
Media liability insurance protects businesses that create or distribute content1. It is also known as media professional liability insurance. This coverage is a specialized form of professional liability insurance, otherwise known as errors and omissions insurance.
What Media Liability Insurance Covers
Media liability insurance focuses on risks created by communication and content. Coverage typically addresses these risks:
BREACH OF PRIVACY
ADVERTISING INJURY
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CLAIMS
It also assists in protecting against claims of:
- Defamation
Includes libel involving written statements and slander involving spoken statements.
- Emotional distress claims
Covers both negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
What Does Media Liability Insurance Does Not Cover
This coverage option protects against legal claims tied to content and publishing. Some exposures fall outside the scope of media liability and require separate policies.
- It does not cover bodily injury or property damage from filming, on-site work, or daily operations. These risks require general liability insurance.
- Injuries to employees while working are not covered and must be insured through workers compensation insurance.
- Cyberattacks, data breaches, and exposure of personal or confidential information often require cyber insurance.
- Software errors, technology failures, or platform outages are excluded and require technology errors and omissions insurance.
- Breach of contract and payment disputes are not covered and may require professional liability insurance.
- Lost income from shutdowns or operational disruptions is not covered and may be covered through business interruption coverages in a general liability insurance policy.
Who Needs Media Professional Liability Insurance
Any business or freelancer that publishes content faces potential legal risk. This includes content shared online, through podcasts, video, social media, or other public platforms. Coverage of this kind is designed to address claims that arise from published content.
- Marketing and Media
- Online Business and Commerce
- Marketplace sellers
- Fitness and Wellness
- Technology and Platforms
Key Benefits of Media Liability Insurance Coverage
Such coverage protects both operations and finances. It reduces risk in a fast-moving content environment.
Key benefits include:
- Legal defense coverage
Covers attorney fees, court costs, and investigations, even when claims are unfounded.
- Coverage for settlements and judgments
Applies to financial damages related to covered media liability claims.
- Mitigation and correction costs
Helps cover the cost of revising, removing, or correcting published content.
- Peace of mind
Reduces disruption from legal threats and allows content to be published with greater confidence.
Why This Coverage Matters
Content spreads quickly.
Claims can spread faster.
A single post, campaign, or video can trigger legal action.
Media liability insurance helps protect your business when creativity and risk intersect.
How Much Does Media Liability Insurance Cost?
Costs vary based on several factors.
- Audience size
- Revenue
- Industry
- Claims History
Common Claims
Media liability insurance claims often arise from everyday content decisions, such as2:
- A blog post or video that triggers a defamation claim
- A social post accused of copyright infringement
- An ad campaign challenged for misleading claims
- A podcast episode alleged to violate privacy
- User-generated content posted on a platform leading to legal action
Is Media Liability Insurance the Same as E & O?
Media liability insurance is a specialized form of errors and omissions insurance. While general E&O protects against professional mistakes, media liability focuses specifically on risks tied to content, publishing, and communication. It addresses exposures that standard professional liability insurance or general liability insurance policies often exclude.
Get Media Liability Insurance
Your Gild Insurance Agent is here to understand your business and find the right coverage tailored to your needs.
For a free, online quote in minutes, try out Gildber! The fast, hassle-free option for a business insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is media liability insurance?
Coverage of this kind helps protect businesses from claims related to the content they create, publish, or share. This can include allegations of defamation, copyright infringement, invasion of privacy, or misuse of someone’s likeness.
Who needs media liability insurance?
This type of coverage is often needed by businesses and professionals who produce content. This includes marketers, advertisers, publishers, photographers, videographers, influencers, designers, and creative agencies.
Is media liability insurance required or mandatory?
No, it is usually not legally required, but it may be required by clients, contracts, or platforms. Many businesses carry it to protect against costly content-related lawsuits.
What does media liability insurance cover and what does it not cover?
Media liability insurance can cover legal defense costs and claims tied to content-related risks. It typically does not cover intentional wrongdoing, false advertising claims outside the policy scope, or criminal acts.
