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Publisher Insurance: Cost & Quotes From $25/mo

Table of contents
1. General Liability Insurance for Publishers1.1. Add-Ons of General Liability Insurance for Publishers1.2. Coverage Limits of General Liability Insurance for Publishers1.3. Can General Liability Insurance Protect My Publisher Business from Social Media Risks?2. Professional Liability Insurance for Publishers2.1. Add-Ons of Professional Liability Insurance for Publishers2.2. Coverage Limits of Professional Liability Insurance for Publishers2.3. What is Publisher Errors and Omissions Insurance?3. Media Liability Insurance for Publishers3.1. Coverage Limits of Media Liability Insurance for Publishers3.2. Is Media Liability Insurance Important for Publishers?4. Commercial Property Insurance for Publishers4.1. Add-Ons of Commercial Property Insurance for Publishers4.2. Coverage Limits of Commercial Property Insurance for Publishers4.3. Will Commercial Property Insurance Cover All Events I Might Face?5. Business Owner’s Policy for Publishers5.1. Add-Ons of Business Owner’s Policy for Publishers5.2. Coverage Limits of Business Owner’s Policy for Publishers6. Tools and Equipment Insurance for Publishers 6.1. Add-Ons of Tools and Equipment Insurance for Publishers6.2. Coverage Limits of Tools and Equipment Insurance for Publishers7. Workers' Compensation Insurance for Publishers7.1. Are Benefits from Workers’ Compensation Insurance Subject to Federal Taxes?7.2. Are Medical Benefits Available to My Employees Immediately?8. Excess Liability Insurance for Publishers8.1. Coverage Limits of Excess Liability Insurance for Publishers8.2. Is the Publishing Industry a High-Risk Industry Where Excess Liability Insurance Can Be Very Useful?9. Publisher Insurance Cost10. Best Publisher  Insurance Companies10.1. NEXT Publisher Insurance  10.1.1. Pros10.1.2. Cons10.2. The Hartford Publisher Insurance 10.2.1. Pros10.2.2. Cons10.3. CoverWallet Publisher Insurance 10.3.1. Pros10.3.2. Cons10.4. Tivly Publisher Insurance 10.4.1. Pros10.4.2. Cons10.5. Thimble Publisher Insurance 10.5.1. Pros10.5.2. Cons10.6. Hiscox Publisher Insurance 10.6.1. Pros10.6.2. Cons

Did you know that the global book publishing market is worth more than $90 billion? The Association of American Publishers (AAP) found that copyright industries employed nearly 4% of the entire US workforce in 2019. 

With publishers making up a significant part of the economy, they must be vigilant to protect their interests against liability and other damage claims. As a publisher, one of the best ways to protect your business is through the use of publisher business insurance.

You never know when something can go wrong. For one, the printing company you’re working with might file a lawsuit for breach of contract. Workplace accidents can also happen and employees might ask for compensation. Of course, let’s not forget that the writers you’re helping out might become disgruntled. 

In this article, we will examine common topics and questions that you might have about business insurance for publishers.

General Liability Insurance for Publishers


CoverWallet NEXT (Best)ThimbleHiscoxThe Hartford
Per occurrence limit $1,000,000$1,000,000$1,000,000/$2,000,000$2,000,000$1,000,000/$2,000,000
Aggregate limit $2,000,000$2,000,000$1,000,000/$2,000,000$2,000,000$1,000,000/$2,000,000
Products and completed operations aggregate limit $2,000,000

$1,000,000$2,000,000$1,000,000$1,000,000
Advertising injury coverage aggregate limit $1,000,000$1,000,000$2,000,000$1,000,000$1,000,000
Tenant’s legal liability coverage limit 
$300,000/$1,000,000
$300,000$100,000$100,000$1,000,000
Waiver of subrogation included?YesNoIncludedCan be includedNo
Hired/non-owned auto liability coverage included?YesNoNoCan be includedCan be included
Equipment breakdown floater included?No YesYesCan be includedCan be included
Can you get a certificate of insurance online?YesYesYesYesYes
Name additional insureds?YesYes
YesYesYes
Deductible$0$0$0$0$0


General liability insurance can help you pay for expenses related to third-party claims involving injury and property damage. Some example events include:

  • Someone walks into your publishing office and cuts their arm on an exposed piece of equipment, requiring medical treatment

  • When one of your employees is helping a client, they accidentally damage the client’s personal laptop


Add-Ons of General Liability Insurance for Publishers

Many insurers will allow you to customize your policy further through the use of add-ons or endorsements. Some add-ons to this publishers liability insurance include:

  • Product liability–Adds financial protection for your business products or items if they cause property damage or bodily injury

  • Cyber liability–Helps your business respond to cyber-attacks and data breaches and protect its reputation


Coverage Limits of General Liability Insurance for Publishers

The general liability coverage included in your publishing insurance package  typically has a $1 million to $2 million per occurrence and aggregate limit.


Can General Liability Insurance Protect My Publisher Business from Social Media Risks?

Yes, typically, general liability insurance will feature injury protection against lawsuits involving libel, invasion of privacy, slander, and copyright infringement. If you write something on social media, you are generally covered by these perils. To be safe, you may also want a media liability insurance policy to get you more protection in the media environment.


Professional Liability Insurance for Publishers


CoverWallet NEXTThimble (Best)HiscoxThe Hartford
Per occurrence limit $1,000,000$1,000,000$1,000,000/$2,000,000$1,000,000$1,000,000
Aggregate limit $2,000,000$2,000,000$1,000,000/$2,000,000$1,000,000$2,000,000
Name additional insureds?YesYesYesYesYes
Waiver of subrogation included?YesNoYesCan be includedNo


Use professional liability insurance for web publishers and book publishers as protection from lawsuits and claims filed due to your mistakes or negligence. Some examples to look at include:

  • Your business makes a miscalculation in the commercial direction of the magazine content that causes a client to lose money

  • An oversight in your business process allows clients to receive bad advice, which costs them financial damage


Add-Ons of Professional Liability Insurance for Publishers

  • Excess liability–Gives you a boost to your policy's coverage limit so you can cover financially devastating events

  • Extended reporting period–Gives you more time to file claims, even past when your policy is set to expire


Coverage Limits of Professional Liability Insurance for Publishers

The professional liability coverage of your publishing insurance package will have $1 million per occurrence and $1 million aggregate limit. 


What is Publisher Errors and Omissions Insurance?

Publishers errors and omissions insurance is another name for professional liability insurance. It will cover the same types of liabilities, including things like missed deadlines, undelivered services, and breach of contract.


Media Liability Insurance for Publishers

Media liability insurance protects your business against claims that content you have published has harmed someone financially through claims like copyright infringement and defamation. Example situations include:

  • A book you helped publish defamed a person in the story who sues you for damages

  • One of the magazines you helped publish stole work from a competitor, who sued you for copyright infringement


Coverage Limits of Media Liability Insurance for Publishers

This type of insurance for internet publishers will have a coverage limit of in a range between $500,000 and $1 million. These limits are available at higher levels for bigger publishers and more expensive policies.


Is Media Liability Insurance Important for Publishers?

Yes, because media liability insurance protects businesses that disseminate media content, it is an essential pickup for publishers who deal with claims like plagiarism, unfair competition, technological activities, and published content.

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Commercial Property Insurance for Publishers


CoverWalletNEXT (Best)ThimbleHiscoxThe Hartford
Building coverage limit (minimum)$50,000$260,000$25,000/$500,000$25,000$60,000
Contents coverage limit (minimum)$50,000$22,000$25,000/$500,000$25,000$60,000
Outdoor signsExcluded$2,500ExcludedExcludedExcluded
Accounts receivableExcludedExcluded$5,000/10,000IncludedExcluded
Money and securitiesExcluded$2,500$1,000IncludedExcluded
Lock and keysExcluded$2,500ExcludedExcludedExcluded
Business interruption floaterExcludedIncludedIncludedIncludedExcluded
Equipment breakdown floaterExcludedIncludedExcludedExcludedExcluded
Inland marine insurance floaterExcludedExcluded$10,000ExcludedExcluded
Employee dishonesty floaterExcluded$5,000$2,500IncludedExcluded


Commercial property insurance is an excellent addition to your book publishing insurance package because it helps you pay for damages to your business property. Below are a few situations this policy can come in handy.

  • Someone starts a fire in your business building that damages some equipment you need for your daily operations

  • A vandal throws bricks through your office window


Add-Ons of Commercial Property Insurance for Publishers

  • Earthquake protection–Protects your property from earthquake damage, mudslides, and landslides

  • Outdoor signs–Helps protect any signs you may use to advertise your publishing business located outside your business property


Coverage Limits of Commercial Property Insurance for Publishers

A typical commercial property coverage limit for publishers will be around $60,000.


Will Commercial Property Insurance Cover All Events I Might Face?

No. In fact, there are many kinds of weather events that insurers will typically exclude. Earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and other forms of natural disasters will require additional coverage.


Business Owner’s Policy for Publishers


CoverWalletThimble (Best)NEXTHiscoxThe Hartford
General liability aggregate limit$2,000,000$2,000,000$2,000,000$300,000$1,000,000/$2,000,000
Commercial property coverage limit$50,000$500,000$260,000$25,000$75,000
Optional policies can be added?YesYesYesYesYes
Name additional insureds for free?YesYesYesYesYes
BOP discount?YesYesYesYesYes


You will want a business owner’s policy for your publishing business because it conveniently combines multiple forms of coverage together. It will bundle commercial property and general liability into one policy. Example coverage includes:

  • A customer injures themselves and damages your property at the same time.

  • A thief breaks into your publishing office and steal some of your electronics


Add-Ons of Business Owner’s Policy for Publishers

  • Inland marine–Adds protection for your tools and equipment when they are being transported over land, like by a truck or train

  • Employment practices–Protest your business from employee claims of wrongful termination, discrimination, and workplace harassment


Coverage Limits of Business Owner’s Policy for Publishers

Your business owner’s policy can have a coverage limit of $1 million for general liability claims and around $50,000 for commercial property claims.


A rack of books and magazines.


Tools and Equipment Insurance for Publishers


NEXTThimbleHiscoxThe Hartford
Aggregate limit$3,000/$10,000$2,500/$5,000$15,000/$25,000$5,000-$10,000
Covers hired and borrowed equipment?$3,000/$10,000$2,500/$5,000NoYes
Miscellaneous equipment also covered?$5,000/$10,000NoYesYes
Offered as an endorsement to general liability insurance?YesYesYesYes
Deductible$500$500$0$0


Your publisher's tools and equipment policy can help you replace damaged or stolen tools and equipment. This protection can even apply to when tools are used off your commercial premises. Example situations will include:

  • You take a laptop to meet a client, and it gets stolen during the course of business

  • A piece of equipment in your office gets vandalized and is no longer functional


Add-Ons of Tools and Equipment Insurance for Publishers

  • Floodwater protection–This helps you get covered for flooding and water damage that your tools and equipment might get exposed to, which takes them out of commission

  • Inland marine–Allows your tools and equipment to be protected if they are transported to different locations over land by vehicles like a truck or train


Coverage Limits of Tools and Equipment Insurance for Publishers

A tools and equipment policy will cover costs between $5,000 and $10,000. Higher limits may be available depending on what your insurer has to offer.


Workers' Compensation Insurance for Publishers

Workers’ compensation insurance is a policy that publishers with employees will need. It will cover employee expenses, like lost income and medical treatments in case someone sustains injuries on the job. Examples of when to use this coverage include:

  • An employee develops a chronic condition from sitting at their desk for long periods and needs surgery to help alleviate its symptoms

  • One of your publishing house employees trips at work and temporarily cannot work due to a back injury


Are Benefits from Workers’ Compensation Insurance Subject to Federal Taxes?

No, workers' comp benefits are not subject to federal income taxes. An employee does not have to worry about paying the benefits back to the government.


Are Medical Benefits Available to My Employees Immediately?

Yes, medical benefits are not subject to waiting periods like wage replacement benefits might be subject to. Employees often need to report their injury through their employer to start coverage, but sometimes a medical provider can also help file a claim.


Excess Liability Insurance for Publishers

Publisher excess liability insurance is a way to extend a coverage limit for an underlying policy. It is typically applied to general liability or professional liability insurance. Examples of when to use this coverage include:

  • Your publisher's professional liability insurance policy reaches a coverage limit, so your excess liability coverage can kick in

  • You purchase excess liability coverage for a lawsuit that your existing policy doesn't have enough coverage left to protect you from


Coverage Limits of Excess Liability Insurance for Publishers

Excess liability insurance can be available for up to $25 million for some insurers.


Is the Publishing Industry a High-Risk Industry Where Excess Liability Insurance Can Be Very Useful?

Yes, publishers may be more vulnerable to legal challenges from issues like copyright infringement than other businesses. This means that your business may be more likely to need excess liability coverage than other industries.

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Publisher Insurance Cost


Cost per MonthCost per YearDeductible
General Liability Insurance$39$468$0-$500
Professional indemnity insurance$44$528$500-$1,000
Commercial property insurance$79$948$1,000-$2,000
Business owner’s policy$118$1,416$1,500
Tools and equipment insurance$42$504$500-$1,000
Workers compensation insurance$96$1,152$2,000-$5,000


The average publisher insurance cost is $39 per month or $468 per year for a $1 million general liability policy. Factors that affect premiums are claims history, business history, policy limits, deductibles, location, annual revenues, and number of employees. Here’s a table showing the cost of a $1 million general liability insurance from companies we recommend:


Cost per MonthCost per YearBest for
NEXT$25$300Best overall; Fastest general liability insurance for publishers
CoverWallet$27$324Workers compensation insurance for publishing companies
The Hartford$29$348Comparing publisher insurance quotes online
Tivly$30$360Comparing publisher insurance quotes over the phone
Thimble$32$384On-demand coverage for publishers
Hiscox$35$420Publisher insurance with automatic renewal

Compare Cheap Publisher Insurance Quotes Online

Get all the best quotes from leading providers in a click of a button!

Best Publisher  Insurance Companies

Here are some of the companies to consider working with. Read some of the reviews below to know their pros, cons, and average rate for a $1 million general liability insurance. 


NEXT Publisher Insurance 

Pros

  • Best overall

  • Issues an online proof of insurance instantly

  • Fastest general liability insurance for publishers

  • Great customer service and reputation

  • Excellent rates

  • Outstanding value for money

  • Get a 10% discount if you buy two or more policies 

Cons

  • Couldn’t find any 

NEXT has a plethora of insurance options that are tailored by the industry. They offer publisher insurance policies like general liability, commercial property, and business owner’s policy. Another accolade to their name is the B+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Best for: Best overall; Fastest general liability insurance for publishers

Average cost: $25 per month 

Our rating: 10/10 


The Hartford Publisher Insurance

Pros

  • Renowned company for workers compensation insurance

  • Straightforward online quoting

  • Can underwrites specialized policies for high-risk customers 

Cons

  • Some find bundling policies more expensive than other competitors

The Hartford has a range of policies and has experience tailoring them to the publishing industry. They offer essential options like general liability, commercial property, and business income insurance.

Best for: Workers compensation insurance for publishing companies

Average cost: $27 per month 

Our rating: 10/10 


CoverWallet Publisher Insurance

Pros

  • Compare quotes online

  • HNOA coverage automatically included in general liability insurance

  • Manage your policies easily online

Cons

  • Not an insurance company

CoverWallet is an insurance platform with resources catered to publishers and the types of insurance they want. They offer quotes both online or through a CoverWallet consultant. Policies you can get from this company are general liability, commercial property, professional liability, and more. 

Best for: Comparing publisher insurance quotes online 

Average cost: $29 per month 

Our rating: 10/10 


Tivly Publisher Insurance

Pros

  • Partnered with big names like The Hartford, Liberty Mutual, and Gallagher

  • Offers policies to help bloggers, book authors, publishers, and other writers

  • Compare quotes over the phone

Cons

  • You need to call to get a quote

Tivly has a platform for you to explore your insurance needs. With over 200 partners, there is no shortage of selection. They offer policies like media liability, cyber liability, and workers comp insurance. The company recommends a $1 million/$2 million general liability policy at a competitive price for publishers. Call now to get a quote

Best for: Comparing publisher insurance quotes over the phone

Average cost: $30 per month 

Our rating: 10/10 


Thimble Publisher Insurance

Pros

  • Sells coverage by the day, month, or even hour

  • Fast-growing insurance company

  • Allows you to purchase general liability insurance as a short-term coverage

Cons

  • You can’t reach customer service by calling 

At Thimble, you will find a company that respects your time. Not only do they claim to get you covered quickly, but they also allow you ultimate freedom in choosing your policy duration. They offer commercial property, workers comp, business equipment insurance, and more.

Best for: On-demand coverage for publishers

Average cost: $32 per month 

Our rating: 10/10 


Hiscox Publisher Insurance

Pros

  • Media liability insurance with $15 million capacity

  • Optional coverage extensions are available

  • 14-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Online quoting might not be available all the time due to periodic site maintenance

At Hiscox, you get a small business experience with helpful tools like policy comparisons and sales tools to get the most information possible for your publisher insurance policy. They offer many excellent products publishers might need, including cyber, crime, and general liability insurance.

Best for: Publisher insurance with automatic renewal 

Average cost: $35 per month 

Our rating: 10/10 


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