How much does media liability insurance cost?
Your price comes down to what you put out into the world, how much you earn from it, your claims history and the limits you choose.
This guide explains what underwriters look at and why. Ready for a real number? See how CreatorSure quotes.
What drives the price
- What you make. A publisher with a print run pays more than a graphic designer.
- Your history and size. Past claims and a bigger company mean a higher premium.
- Your limits and deductible. Higher limits cost more. A higher deductible lowers the premium.
- How you work. Underwriters ask where your content comes from, how you get consent, whether you host comments, and who you hire.
Underwriters look at different things for each kind of business. See the risks they price for creators, YouTubers, streamers, podcasters, influencers, UGC creators, musicians, music producers, photographers, filmmakers, journalists, publishers, advertising agencies, digital marketing agencies, course sellers, high ticket sellers, ecommerce sellers, affiliate marketers, writers and authors, newsletter writers and paid community owners.
What moves the price for your kind of work
Every audience gets priced on the drivers above. These are the details underwriters look at most for each one.
| Who you are | What underwriters look at |
|---|---|
| Creators and YouTubers | How far your content reaches, whether you do commentary, reviews or investigations, how you use music and clips, your brand deals and the size of your back catalog. |
| Influencers and UGC creators | Sponsored content, product claims, disclosure habits, usage rights in brand contracts and releases from people on camera. |
| Streamers | Live and unscripted content, guests and chat, music and game footage, and how long your VODs and clips stay up. |
| Podcasters | Guests and call-ins, true crime and interview formats, music beds and the size of your archive. |
| Journalists, writers and newsletter writers | Investigative versus opinion work, whether a lawyer or editor reviews before you publish, your subscriber base, your archive and the indemnity terms in freelance contracts. |
| Publishers and broadcasters | How much you publish or air, live and call-in programming, news coverage, the ads you run and your editorial review process. |
| Filmmakers and production companies | Documentary versus scripted work, your clearance procedures, the number of projects and the limits distributors require. |
| Advertising agencies and digital marketing agencies | The number of clients, comparative and influencer campaigns, content volume, and the insurance terms in client contracts. |
| Musicians and music producers | Samples and interpolations, beat leases, the size of your catalog, how often you release and what labels and distributors require. |
| Photographers | Releases, commercial versus editorial licensing and how clients use your images. |
| Course sellers, high ticket sellers, ecommerce sellers and affiliate marketers | Ad volume, testimonials, product and results claims, and comparisons with competitors. |
| Paid community owners | How much member content you host, how you moderate it and whether you record and sell calls. |
Why limits and deductible move the number
- Your limit is the most the policy pays for a covered claim. A higher limit means the insurer takes on more, so it costs more.
- Contracts set minimums. Brands, networks, distributors and clients often name the limit you need. That sets the floor for your quote.
- Your deductible, also called a retention, is the part of a claim you pay before the policy does. A higher retention lowers the premium because you take on more of each claim.
- Pick a retention you can actually pay. A low premium doesn't help if the retention is more than you can cover when a claim lands.
- Defense costs. Some policies pay your lawyer inside the limit and some on top of it. Ask which one your quote uses, because it changes what the limit really buys.
What a quote form needs from you, and why
A real quote starts with a few details. Here is what the CreatorSure quote form asks and why each one matters.
- Name, email and phone. So a real person can get back to you with your quote. Phone is optional.
- Main platform. Facebook, Instagram, Kick, podcast, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitch, Whatnot or TikTok Shop, X, YouTube or other. Where your content lives shapes the risk.
- Creator type. Creator, filmmaker, influencer, journalist, podcaster, production house, streamer, studio, writer or other. Each kind of work draws different claims.
- Approx. followers across all accounts. Reach tells the underwriter how far a claim could travel.
- What you want covered. Lawsuits and claims over your content, going after people who steal or copy you, brand deals and sponsor disputes, gear and studio equipment, hacks and account takeovers, events and appearances, or not sure yet. This sets which coverage goes into the quote.
- Anything else. Topics you cover, contract requirements, the limits you need and past claims. The more you share, the more accurate the quote.
Make music? See how SongSure prices musician insurance.
Questions
Why isn't there a flat price?
Underwriters price each request on your content, limits and history. A quote gives you the real number.
What makes media liability cost more?
A bigger audience, riskier topics like news, reviews and true crime, more revenue from content, higher limits, a lower retention and past claims.
How can I lower my price?
Get releases and licenses in writing, review risky content before you publish, choose limits that match your contracts and pick a retention you can pay.
Does adding Fight Back change the price?
Fight Back adds coverage, so it's part of the quote. Ask for it on the form to include it.
Why does the quote form ask about my platform and audience?
They tell the underwriter what you publish and how far it travels, which is most of what sets the price.
Ready for a real number?
CreatorSure builds every quote around what you make, where it goes and the coverage you pick. See how CreatorSure prices creator insurance, then get your quote.