YouTube Business Insurance

Getting insurance for your YouTube business is essential.

YouTube businesses need to be protected against claims involving things that could reasonably occur and cause them financial harm, particularly in relation to media liability claims (such as libel and defamation allegations).

You will also want to protect yourself in cases where you or an employee accidentally infringes on another business’s intellectual property (e.g., copyright infringement, trademark disputes, etc.).

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 YouTube Business

General liability insurance is — generally speaking — one of the most important insurance policies for YouTube businesses.

Some of the risks general liability insurance covers are:

Bodily injury
Property damage
Medical payments
Legal defense and judgment
Personal and advertising injury

Having said that, the remote nature of your business will likely mean that you may consider purchasing a few alternatives instead.

Here are a few examples of the types of policies that could benefit your business:

Media liability will cover costs related to defamation or libel claims.
Cyber liability will cover liability that arises as a result of data breaches or hacks.
Commercial property will allow you to repair and/or replace your equipment (e.g., editing software, work computer, etc.) if it gets damaged or stolen.

You will also want to choose the right type of coverage provider. There are generally two options available when it comes to small business owners:

Online insurers: These tend to offer personalized coverage at a faster and more affordable rate. This is because they do not need to use an insurance agent.
Brick-and-mortar insurers: These offer a variety of different policies and have a long history of outstanding financial strength.

We generally recommend the first option for small and new business owners, as it’s significantly more affordable and can also be faster to set up.

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Cost of General Liability Insurance

On average, YouTubers in America spend between $350 - $900 per year for $1 million in general liability coverage.

Compare the average cost of general liability insurance for a YouTube 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.

Find the Best Rate

Discover the best coverage at the lowest rate in our low-cost business insurance review.

Common Situations That General Liability Insurance May Cover for a YouTube Business

Example 1: Your video content is similar to that of another content creator, and they decide to sue you for copyright infringement and lost viewership. General liability insurance would likely cover the costs if you choose to fight the claim in court.

Example 2: One of your viewers feels slandered by your content, and they file a claim against you for personal damages. General liability insurance is likely to pay for the legal costs to either settle or fight the claim.

Example 3: You have a guest host come to your recording area for a special session. When they leave, they trip over a cord that was left in the walkway. General liability insurance would likely cover the costs of any medical expenses that result from the fall.

Other Types of Coverage YouTube 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:

Commercial Property Insurance

If you own a recording studio for your YouTube business, you’ll need commercial property insurance to cover any damages that occur from natural disasters, vandalism, or fires. This insurance covers your commercial equipment (e.g., cameras, lighting), as well as the physical structure of the property.

Professional Liability Insurance

If you give professional advice on YouTube, you’ll need professional liability insurance in case you make an error or omit important information that affects your viewers in a negative way. This insurance is designed to cover any formal claims against you if someone believes they suffered a loss due to your content.

Home-Based Insurance

Home-based insurance is available to cover your commercial equipment and space if you operate your business from your home. A typical renters or home insurance policy is unlikely to cover commercial expenses you may incur in the course of home-based business operations.

Commercial Umbrella Liability Insurance

This insurance is available to supplement a general liability policy once it reaches its limits. A general liability policy has financial limits placed in terms of how much a business owner can receive (e.g., $50,000 for legal expenses). Umbrella insurance will continue to pay above and beyond in case a serious lawsuit is filed against you.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Most YouTube businesses start as one-man shows, but you’ll need workers’ compensation insurance if and when you officially hire a part-time or full-time employee. This insurance covers all employees from accidents or injuries while on the clock. You will not need workers compensation for contracted employees.

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 YouTube 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.

YouTube 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.

Yes, we recommend getting insurance before you start your YouTube business in order to properly safeguard your assets.

This is because the coverage that you’ll need will be relatively inexpensive, and you’ll want to avert an expensive situation where you need business insurance but have not yet purchased it.

Not necessarily. Certain exceptions may be written directly into your YouTube 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.