Graphic Design Insurance Coverage Checklist
The coverages a graphic design 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 graphic designers, branding studios, and design agencies. Priorities reflect typical exposure for this class; confirm against the services offered and how deliverables are created.
Tick each coverage you can confirm you carry — anything left unticked is a good question for your next policy review.
| Have it? | Coverage | Why this business needs it | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Liability (E&O) | Covers claims that a design error, missed deadline, or print mistake cost the client money. | Core | |
| Media / Intellectual Property Liability | Covers copyright, trademark, and licensing claims over images, fonts, logos, and AI-assisted work — often excluded from basic E&O and GL. | Core | |
| Cyber Liability | Covers breaches of client files and compromised client accounts, and funds-transfer fraud. | Prevalent | |
| Commercial General Liability | Covers client visits and meetings, and is often required by client contracts. | Prevalent | |
| Business Personal Property | Covers computers, cameras, and studio equipment. | Prevalent | |
| Workers' Compensation | Required in most states with employees. | Situational | |
| Hired & Non-Owned Auto | Covers driving to client sites and shoots in personal vehicles. | Situational |
The coverage gap most often missed
The most commonly missed gap for this class is intellectual property coverage. A basic professional liability policy may not cover a claim that a logo infringes someone's trademark or that a stock image or font was used beyond its license, and general liability usually excludes IP. AI tools add a new wrinkle: the U.S. Copyright Office concluded in 2025 that prompts alone do not make someone the author of AI output, so a client may not be able to own purely AI-generated elements it paid for. Designers should confirm their policy includes media or IP liability and review how it treats AI-assisted work.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your graphic design coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Graphic Design Insurance · Graphic Design Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does a graphic design business need?
The core coverages for a graphic design business are Professional Liability (E&O), Media / Intellectual Property Liability. 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 graphic design 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.