Advertising Agency Insurance Coverage Checklist

Advertising Agency Insurance Coverage Checklist

The coverages an advertising agency business may carry — core, prevalent, and situational — why each matters, and the gap most often missed.

Pull out your current policy and check the box next to any coverage you can confirm is already in place — anything unchecked is worth a quick conversation with your advisor. Coverage checklist for advertising and creative agencies. Priorities reflect typical exposure for this class; confirm against your actual services, contracts, and clients.

Core almost always needed · Prevalent commonly carried in this class · Situational depends on specific exposure

Tick each coverage you can confirm you carry — anything left unticked is a good question for your next policy review.

Have it?CoverageWhy this business needs itPriority
Media / Advertisers Professional LiabilityCovers infringement, defamation, and errors in creative work.Core
General LiabilityCovers shoots, events, and premises.Core
Cyber / Privacy LiabilityCovers client data, tracking pixels, and breach response.Core
Workers' CompensationCovers employees and on-set crews.Core
Regulatory Defense (FTC / AG)Covers deceptive-advertising investigations.Prevalent
Hired & Non-Owned AutoCovers staff driving to shoots and meetings.Prevalent
Crime / Funds Transfer FraudCovers client funds and fake wire instructions.Prevalent
Employment Practices LiabilityCovers harassment and termination claims.Prevalent
Production PackageCovers equipment, props, and shoot-day losses.Situational
UmbrellaAdds limits for large brand and indemnity claims.Situational

The coverage gap most often missed

The gap most often missed by agencies is contractual indemnity. Agency agreements usually require you to indemnify the advertiser for infringement, but many media E&O forms exclude assumed liability. Confirm the policy covers contractual indemnity for IP claims, and look for exclusions that could catch AI-generated content.

Not sure you have everything on this list?

Send us the checklist and we'll review your advertising agency coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.

Frequently asked questions

What insurance does an advertising agency business need?

The core coverages for an advertising agency business are Media / Advertisers Professional Liability, General Liability, Cyber / Privacy Liability, Workers' Compensation. This checklist also lists the prevalent and situational coverages worth considering, with a plain-English note on why each matters.

Is this checklist insurance advice?

No. It is a free educational tool to help you have a more informed conversation with a licensed professional. It affords no coverage and is not insurance, legal, or financial advice — only your actual policy language governs what is and isn't covered.

Can Cory Washington & Co. review my advertising agency coverage?

Yes. Share your checklist and we'll review your program line by line, market your account across multiple carriers, and explain the trade-offs in plain English. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.

This checklist is a free educational tool from Cory Washington & Co. to help you review your own coverage and have a more informed conversation with a licensed insurance professional. It is general information only — not insurance, legal, or financial advice, and not a recommendation to buy, change, or cancel any policy. Coverage terms, availability, limits, and requirements vary by policy, carrier, and state, and only the language in your actual policy governs what is and isn’t covered. Checking or leaving blank any item above does not indicate that you are adequately insured or under-insured. Using this checklist does not create a client, agency, or fiduciary relationship. Always consult a licensed professional about your specific situation.

Protect What You’ve Built

When everything you’ve built is on the line, a quote isn’t enough. Tell us about your business and receive a considered assessment — not a form letter.