Top insurance policies for media and advertising businesses
Business insurance covers costs if a competitor sues for copyright infringement, or if a data breach exposes your clients' personal information. These policies protect against common risks in the media and advertising industry.
General liability insurance
A general liability insurance policy defends against third-party lawsuits, such as a client who slips on an icy front step at a blogger’s office and suffers an injury. It's often required for a commercial lease.
- Client bodily injuries
- Accidental damage to a client's property
- Lease and loan requirements
Media liability insurance
This policy covers lawsuits related to your work performance, from advertising injuries to mistakes and oversights. It's also called professional liability insurance or errors and omissions insurance (E&O).
- Copyright infringement
- Libel and slander
- Missed deadlines
Business owner's policy
A business owner's policy, or BOP, combines general liability coverage and commercial property insurance at a discount. Small business owners are often eligible for this bundle.
- Slip-and-fall injuries
- Client property damage
- Business property damage
Workers' comp insurance
Workers' compensation insurance protects media businesses and sole proprietors from work-related medical bills that health insurance won't cover. Most states require this coverage for employees.
- Medical costs from work-related injuries
- Disability benefits for injured workers
- Legal defense costs from workplace injuries
Cyber insurance
Cyber insurance helps media and advertising businesses recover from costly cyberattacks and data breaches. It's also called cyber liability insurance or cybersecurity insurance.
- Ransomware attacks
- Client notification costs
- Data breach investigations
Commercial auto insurance
Almost every state requires commercial auto insurance for vehicles owned by an advertising agency or other media company. It covers costs in the event of an accident involving your business vehicle.
- Injuries caused by your company vehicle
- Damage to someone else's property
- Vehicle theft and vandalism
Advertising and media insurance costs
From our customer data, here's a quick look at average media and advertising insurance costs:
General liability: $33 per month
Media liability: $78 per month
Workers' compensation: $43 per month
Factors that can influence your premiums include:
- Type of business, such as broadcasting, digital marketing, or podcasting
- Number of employees
- Value of your business property
- Insurance products purchased
- Policy limits and exclusions
- Claims history
How do I get media and advertising business insurance?
TechInsurance helps you get insured quickly so you can secure contracts, comply with state laws, and protect your business against costly lawsuits and injuries. We work only with top-rated insurance companies to secure the best possible coverage for your media business.
You can get the right insurance in three simple steps:
- Fill out our easy online application with your business details.
- Compare free quotes from our trusted partners.
- Pay for a policy and download your certificate of insurance (COI).
Our licensed agents know the media and advertising industry and will help you find insurance solutions that match your specific line of work. Gain peace of mind with advice from expert agents and policies from the leading carriers in the nation.
Hear from business owners like you who purchased insurance coverage.
Common questions about insurance for media and advertising agencies
Find answers to your questions about media and advertising insurance policies.
What does media liability insurance cover?
Media liability insurance covers liability claims related to your professional services and published media content, such as:
- Libel and other defamation
- Plagiarism, trademark infringement, and intellectual property infringement
- Missed deadlines
- Breach of contract
- Errors and oversights
This policy is a type of professional liability insurance, also called errors and omissions insurance, designed for the unique risks of media and advertising professionals. It covers advertising injuries because they are considered professional negligence in this line of work.
In other industries, advertising injuries fall outside your area of expertise and would be covered by general liability insurance.
Does cyber insurance provide media liability coverage?
Yes, media and advertising professionals can often bundle media liability insurance coverage with cyber liability insurance. This package is sometimes called technology errors and omissions insurance, or tech E&O.
In addition to the protection provided by a media liability insurance policy, tech E&O can help pay for:
- Data breach investigations
- Notification of clients affected by a data breach
- Cyberextortion
- Fraud monitoring services
- Lawsuits related to a data breach or cyberattack
When you buy a policy, make sure your agent knows you want to include media liability insurance, which is a specialized form of E&O insurance.
What other types of coverage do media and advertising agencies need?
Depending on the specifics of your business, you may need additional protection. Media and advertising professionals should also consider:
- Business interruption insurance: If a fire or storm forces an ad agency to close, this policy will pay for employee wages and other day-to-day expenses until it can reopen. It's sometimes included with commercial property insurance or a business owner's policy.
- Social media coverage: This type of coverage helps pay for legal costs related to your business's social media account, such as an accusation of libel or invasion of privacy. Check with an agent to make sure it's included with your media liability insurance.
- Hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA): Media professionals who drive their own car to meet clients should invest in this insurance, as your personal auto insurance won't cover business use. HNOA provides liability coverage for vehicles that are used but not owned by your business, including personal, leased, and rented cars.
Explore on TechInsurance
State laws determine whether your business needs workers' compensation and other policies. Learn the requirements for tech businesses in your state and compare quotes online for free with TechInsurance.
Regulations for workers’ compensation insurance vary by state. Learn more about workers’ compensation state laws and how they apply to your small business.
Once you’ve registered as a limited liability company (LLC), your personal assets are protected against the risks of running a business. The next step is to make sure you have the right insurance coverage for your tech company.
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Business liability insurance is any type of commercial insurance that defends against accusations that your business caused damage, injury, or loss. It's recommended for all small businesses because of the high cost of lawsuits.