Writers and Authors Insurance

Writers and Authors Insurance

Professional freelance writers and authors need liability insurance for protection against allegations of negligence, copyright infringement, and more. 

Protect your business with a customized writers insurance policy.

Trusted by over 300,000 Canadian small business owners!

Save up to 35% on your insurance

Instant price and coverage in just a few clicks!

Trusted by over 300,000 Canadian small business owners!
Save up to 35% on your insurance
Instant price and coverage in just a few clicks!
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Zensurance - Freelance Writer

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Liability Insurance for writers and authors

Freelance writers and authors are professional writers who work as independent contractors providing a broad range of writing services on multiple topics to different clients across a variety of industries. However, as an independent, self-employed writer or author, your work is not covered by the insurance policies of your clients. That leaves freelance writers exposed to many liability risks. A customized freelance writer and author insurance policy provides you with the protection you need from the risk of third-party errors and omissions (E&O) lawsuits alleging wrongdoing.

Professional liability insurance for authors and freelance writers provides coverage for claims or allegations of errors and omissions, libel, slander, copyright infringement, and defamation. It is designed to protect you should a lawsuit be initiated against you even if that lawsuit is frivolous.

Insurance for freelance writers and authors covers a broad range of liability risks facing all kinds of professional writers. A comprehensive insurance policy may include the following types of coverages:

  • Professional Liability Insurance: Also referred to as professional indemnity insurance, professional liability insurance provides you with financial protection from claims alleging negligence, misconduct, or failing to provide a service as promised. It also provides media and advertising coverage if your media services result in one of your clients being sued for libel, slander, or defamation.
    • Media Liability Insurance for authors: Specifically designed for the media industry, medial liability insurance protects authors and writers against liability from advertising and publishing activities if such injury arose out of libel, slander, defamation, violation of the right of privacy, and piracy.
  • Commercial Property Insurance: Commercial property insurance provides financial support for physical losses or damages to your business property or office resulting from things such as fire, flood, theft, and vandalism. It includes contents insurance, which may pay for any furnishings and inventory in your office space, as well as your electronics and computers if they are damaged or stolen.
  • Cyber Liability Insurance: Cyber liability protection provides you with financial support if you suffer a cyber-attack, are a victim of cybercrime, or if an accidental data breach occurs. It is your responsibility to protect your clients’ private and confidential data. Cyber liability insurance offers coverage for losses sustained due to a system outage resulting from a cyber-attack, legal advice, repairs to your software and storage systems, and credit monitoring services for you and your clients if there is a data breach or cyber-attack.

The annual cost of a professional indemnity insurance policy for authors and writers varies by insurance company. Usually, a policy with a liability limit of $1 million costs around $50 per month. Insurers consider a wide range of factors when determining the premium for your policy, including:

  • The type of writing you do and services you provide
  • Who your clients are
  • Your years of experience as a professional writer
  • Annual and projected revenue
  • Past insurance claims

Zensurance partners with more than 50 leading Canadian insurance carriers to find the most exclusive rates for your policy, typically up to 35% less than what our competitors offer.

Multiple kinds of professional writers need to protect their freelance writing business with a professional liability insurance policy, including:

  • Authors
  • Biographers
  • Copywriters
  • Editors
  • Essay writers
  • Digital content writers
  • Ghostwriters
  • Grant writers
  • Journalists
  • Niche writers
  • Proofreaders
  • Public relations professionals
  • Researchers
  • Stenographers
  • Technical writers
  • Translators

The type of policy and coverage limits you require depends on the work you do and what your specific needs are. Speak with a Zensurance licensed broker to customize your policy and ensure you’re adequately protected.

Getting insured is quick and easy!

Complete our 5-minute online application for a free writer’s liability insurance quote.

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Common claims scenarios

Writer making an error

Problem: A case study you produce for a client comparing their services to a competitor is misleading. Your client’s competitor sues them resulting in financial and reputation damages. In turn, your client sues you for negligence.

Outcome: Your professional liability insurance may cover the cost of your legal expenses and any settlement arising from the lawsuit.

Writer meeting with client

Problem: You’re hired as a ghostwriter for a client to draft a series of articles for them. You meet them to discuss the projects you’ll be working on, but during the meeting, you accidentally spill hot coffee on them that requires them to seek medical help. They subsequently sue you for third-party bodily injury.

Outcome: Your commercial general liability insurance may pay for your client’s medical expenses and any lost income they incur because of the injury. It also may cover your legal defence fees and any settlement awarded by the court.

Hacker stealing infomation

Problem: While working on multiple projects for different clients as a freelance writer, you suffer a cyber-attack. All your data and your client’s private information is stolen.

Outcome: Your cyber liability insurance may pay to repair or restore your computing systems and software and provide your client with credit monitoring services.

Frequently asked questions

I’m a travelling freelance writer. Will my insurance provide coverage outside of Canada?

Yes. A freelance writers’ and authors’ insurance policy can be customized to provide you with coverage when you are working outside of Canada temporarily. Speak to a licensed broker about your specific business needs to ensure your policy includes coverage for when you are working in another country.

What’s the difference between media liability and professional liability?

Yes, media liability would include coverage specifically designed for the media industry. Professional liability provides coverage for writers working in industries other than media.

Does writers insurance provide coverage for content published on my own blog?

Yes. A freelance writers and authors insurance policy includes coverage for any digital content you produce, including content you publish on a personal or professional blog that you own.

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Freelance writers and authors are meticulous in their work and research. Likewise, be as careful and precise when it comes to protecting your business and reputation by buying a comprehensive freelance writers and authors insurance policy.

Fill out an online application to get a free quote. Our licensed brokers will shop the market for you to find the policy you need at the cheapest cost available.

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