Why do podcasters need insurance?
An accusation of slander or copyright infringement could be a major setback for a podcaster, especially if you end up in court. Business insurance provides a financial safety net against lawsuits, theft of recording equipment, and accidents in your studio that harm someone or damage property.
Find affordable coverage
Podcasters can save money on insurance by comparing quotes from top-rated providers.
Fill out Insureon's easy online application to get free quotes and advice from a licensed agent.
What types of business insurance do podcasters need?
General liability insurance
This policy covers basic risks, such as a guest who slips and suffers a bodily injury during an interview. Bundle it with commercial property insurance in a business owner's policy for savings.
- Slip-and-fall injuries
- Property damage lawsuits
- Commercial lease requirements
Media liability insurance
This policy covers legal costs when a podcaster makes a mistake that causes financial loss, or is accused of defamation. It's also referred to as professional liability insurance.
- Copyright infringement
- Slander and other defamation claims
- Breach of contract
Business owner's policy
A business owner's policy, or BOP, is a cost-effective way for podcasters to purchase general liability coverage and commercial property insurance together.
- Damaged client property
- Slip-and-fall injuries at your studio
- Stolen or damaged business property
Workers’ compensation insurance
Most states require workers' comp for podcasting businesses with employees. It also protects sole proprietors from work injury costs that health insurance might deny.
- Employee medical expenses
- Disability benefits
- Legal fees from employee injuries
Cyber insurance
A cyber liability policy covers costs related to data breaches and cyberattacks. It's strongly recommended for podcasters who store email addresses and other personal info.
- Customer notification expenses
- Fraud monitoring services
- Cyber extortion payments
Commercial auto insurance
Commercial auto insurance helps cover costs if a vehicle owned by a podcasting business is involved in an accident. It's usually required for business-owned vehicles.
- Property damage caused by your vehicle
- Injuries caused by your vehicle
- Vehicle theft or vandalism
How much does podcasting insurance cost?
On average, media and advertising businesses, including podcasters, that purchase from Insureon pay:
- General liability: $33 per month
- BOP: $56 per month
- Media liability: $78 per month
Factors that affect media and advertising insurance premiums during underwriting include:
- Podcast services offered
- Business property and equipment
- Business income
- Types of insurance purchased
- Policy limits and deductibles
How do I get podcaster insurance?
It's easy to get business insurance for podcasters, writers, and social media influencers if you have your company information on hand. Our application will ask for basic facts about your business, such as revenue and number of employees. You can buy a policy online and get a certificate of insurance with Insureon in three easy steps:
- Complete a free online application.
- Compare insurance quotes and choose policies.
- Pay for your policy and download a certificate.
Insureon's licensed insurance agents work with top-rated U.S. providers to find the right podcast insurance coverage options for your business, whether you work independently or hire employees.
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FAQs about business insurance for podcasters
Review answers to common questions about podcasting company insurance and more.
Do podcasters need insurance?
Podcasters typically aren’t legally required to carry business insurance. However, some employers, production studios, advertisers, or event venues may require proof of coverage before entering into contracts or partnerships.
Even when coverage isn’t required, insurance can still be a smart investment for podcasters. Whether you record in a professional studio or produce episodes from home, you may face risks related to media liability, cyber incidents, or damage to business equipment.
For example, media liability coverage may help protect against claims involving copyright infringement, defamation, or the unauthorized use of music, images, or other content in your podcast. Cyber insurance can also help if your business experiences a data breach, hacked accounts, ransomware attack, or other cybersecurity incident involving sensitive listener or client information.
As your podcast grows into a business, insurance can help protect your finances and support long-term stability.
Does podcaster insurance cover intellectual property claims?
Podcasters can face intellectual property (IP) claims if they use copyrighted music, audio clips, images, trademarks, or other protected content in their episodes or promotional materials without proper permission or licensing.
Some media liability policies, also called professional liability insurance and errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, may provide coverage for certain intellectual property claims, such as copyright infringement related to published content. However, coverage can vary significantly by insurer and policy type, and some standard policies may exclude intellectual property-related claims altogether.
Because of this, podcasters should carefully review policy exclusions and consider adding intellectual property coverage through an endorsement when available. This can be especially important for creators who regularly incorporate music, guest content, branded material, or third-party media into their podcasts, social media promotions, or marketing campaigns.
Can podcasting equipment be covered by business insurance?
Yes, business insurance can help cover podcasting equipment such as microphones, cameras, computers, mixers, lighting, and recording gear if they’re damaged, stolen, or lost due to a covered event.
This coverage can be important whether you record in a professional studio or from a home office. Many podcasters assume their homeowners or renters insurance will fully protect their equipment, but personal insurance policies often have limited coverage for business property and may deny claims related to business use altogether.
Commercial property insurance or a business owner's policy (BOP) can help protect podcasting equipment and other physical business assets, including recording equipment, computers, office furniture, and studio space, from unexpected events such as fire, theft, or certain types of water damage. Depending on the policy, coverage may also extend to equipment while traveling or recording on location.
Alternatively, business personal property (BPP) coverage can also help cover movable business property like microphones, headphones, editing equipment, and other tools used to produce and distribute podcast content. This coverage can be especially valuable for podcasters working from home.
What other types of business insurance do podcasters need?
In addition to media liability coverage, podcasters may benefit from several other types of business insurance in their risk management plan depending on how their podcast operates, where they record, and whether they work with employees or contractors.
- Business income insurance: Also called business interruption insurance, business income coverage may help replace lost income and ongoing operating expenses if your podcast business is temporarily unable to operate because of a covered property claim, such as wind storm damage to your studio or equipment.
- Employment practices liability insurance (EPLI): Helps protect podcast businesses that hire employees against claims involving wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, or other employment-related issues.
- Hired and non-owned auto (HNOA) insurance: May help provide liability protection if you or your team use rented vehicles or personal cars for business purposes, such as traveling to interviews, live recordings, conferences, or promotional events. This is important coverage to have since personal auto insurance typically doesn't cover business-related accidents.
How can I find the cheapest insurance for podcasters?
The cost of podcaster insurance can vary based on several factors, including the size of your business, annual revenue, and the coverages you choose. Podcasters who use copyrighted material, store customer data, travel frequently, or hire employees may also pay higher premiums because of increased liability exposure.
To help lower insurance costs, podcasters can:
- Compare quotes from multiple insurance providers.
- Choose a higher deductible, which may lower premium costs.
- Bundle policies together in a business owner's policy (BOP) when available.
- Maintain strong cybersecurity practices to help reduce cyber liability risks.
- Keep detailed contracts, waivers, and documentation for sponsors, guests, and freelancers.
Working with an insurer that understands media businesses, content creators, and podcasters can also help you find affordable coverage tailored to your risks without paying for unnecessary extras.