Freelance Writing Business Insurance
Getting insurance for your freelance writing business is essential.
Freelance writing businesses need to be protected against claims involving things like employment disputes with freelancers, copyright infringement allegations, and general commercial contract law disputes.
For example, one of your freelancers could make mistake on a project that causes a client financial damage, or accidentally get injured and require time off work.
We’ll help you find the most personalized and affordable coverage for your unique business.
Recommended: Next Insurance is dedicated to matching small businesses with the right policy at the best price.
Best Insurance for a Freelance Writing Business
General liability insurance is — generally speaking — one of the most important insurance policies for a freelance writing business.
Some of the risks general liability insurance covers are:
- Bodily injury
- Property damage
- Medical payments
- Legal defense and judgment
- Personal and advertising injury
Keep in mind that you may be required to purchase additional coverage in order to fully protect your business’s assets. A few coverage policies that are worth considering as a freelance writing business include:
- Loss of income insurance covers part of your lost business income in cases where you need to temporarily close down.
- Commercial property insurance covers the cost of replacing and/or repairing your business’s property (e.g., work computer, etc.) if it is stolen or damaged.
- Intellectual property insurance can cover the cost of a defense trial and settlement if another business claims that you have infringed on their copyrighted content.
We recommend going with an online insurer (rather than a traditional brick-and-mortar alternative — when finding your coverage. This is because online insurers typically use technology like AI in order to offer more personalized coverage at a faster and more affordable rate.
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Cost of General Liability Insurance
On average, freelance writing businesses in America spend between $300-$600 per year for $1 million in general liability coverage.
Compare the average cost of general liability insurance for a freelance writing business to other professional industries using the graph below.
Several factors will determine the price of your policy. These include your:
- Location
- Deductible
- Number of employees
- Per-occurrence limit
- General aggregate limit
You may be able to acquire general liability insurance at a discounted rate by purchasing it as part of a business owner’s policy (BOP) rather than as a standalone policy.
A BOP is a more comprehensive solution that includes multiple forms of coverage, such as business interruption and property insurance.
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Common Situations That General Liability Insurance May Cover for a Freelance Writing Business
Example 1: As you give a potential client a tour of your office, he slips and falls while turning a corner, breaks an arm, and demands you pay for his medical care. General liability insurance would cover his medical expenses and, if he sues, any damages awarded in the lawsuit.
Example 2: A competitor claims you libeled her business in your latest marketing campaign. While you disagree with the claim, you know you need a strong legal defense to protect your company. General liability insurance would cover your legal fees and any required settlement.
Example 3: While unloading a shipment of paper and other supplies, a delivery driver trips over some broken pavement by your front entrance, breaks a wrist in the resulting fall, and decides to sue your company. General liability insurance would pay for his medical bills and, in the event of a lawsuit, your legal defense.
Other Types of Coverage Freelance Writing Businesses Need
While general liability is the most important type of insurance to have, there are several other forms of coverage you should be aware of. Below are some of the most common types of coverage:
Professional Liability Insurance
While you strive to deliver high-quality writing services, there’s always a chance one of your clients might claim your professional services caused harm to their business. If a client sues your business, claiming you made a mistake or failed to perform, professional liability insurance would cover your legal fees and any required settlement.
Commercial Property Insurance
You made a major investment to create a professional business space where you can welcome new clients. In the event of a fire, theft, or natural disaster, commercial property insurance would cover the cost of repairing or replacing your business-related property. This includes structural damage to your office as well as your equipment and supplies.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
If you have any employees, most states will require you to carry workers’ compensation insurance for both part-time and full-time workers. This coverage protects your employees if they become injured at work or fall ill after a work-related accident. It not only covers an employee’s medical bills and lost wages if they need time to recover but also any disability or death benefits stemming from a workplace accident.
Commercial Umbrella Insurance
While your general liability insurance policy covers most claims, some accidents or lawsuits may be so catastrophic that they threaten to exhaust the limits of your primary coverage. Commercial umbrella insurance protects you from paying out-of-pocket for any legal fees and awarded damages that exceed your primary policy.
Additional Steps To Protect Your Business
Although it’s easy (and essential) to invest in business insurance, it shouldn’t be your only defense.
Here are several things you can do to better protect your freelance writing business:
- Use legally robust contracts and other business documents. (We offer free templates for some of the most common legal forms.)
- Set up an LLC or corporation to protect your personal assets. (Visit our step-by-step guides to learn how to form an LLC or corporation in your state.)
- Stay up to date with business licensing.
- Maintain your corporate veil.
Freelance Writing Business Insurance FAQ
Yes, absolutely. You will need to first get a quote from an online business insurance provider like Next Insurance. Next allows you to then purchase a policy immediately and your coverage will be active within 48 hours.
A typical business owner’s policy includes general liability, business interruption, and commercial property insurance. However, BOPs are often customizable, so your agent may recommend adding professional liability, commercial auto, or other types of coverage to your package depending on your company’s needs.
"Business insurance" is a generic term used to describe many different types of coverage a business may need. General liability insurance, on the other hand, is a specific type of coverage that business owners need to protect their assets.
Generally speaking, yes. This is because you cannot accurately know when you will need to rely on your business insurance, and so it is almost always recommended that you get it before you begin interacting with your clients.
If you are planning on hiring writers, you may also be legally required to purchase workers’ compensation insurance.
Not necessarily. Certain exceptions may be written directly into your freelance writing business insurance policy, and some perils may be entirely uninsurable.
Yes, an LLC is meant to create a legal barrier between your business and your personal assets and credit. If you haven’t formed an LLC yet, use our Form an LLC guide to get started.
An LLC doesn’t protect your business assets from lawsuits and liability– that’s where business insurance comes in. Business insurance helps protect your business from liability and risk.