Media & Advertising Liability Policy Feature Checklist
What to confirm in a media & advertising liability policy — what's standard, what's often limited, and what to add if needed — plus the gap most often missed.
Pull out your current media or advertising liability policy and check the box next to each feature you can confirm it includes — anything unchecked is worth a quick conversation with your advisor.
Tick each feature you can confirm your policy includes — anything left unticked is a good question for your next policy review.
| Confirm? | Policy feature | What to confirm | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defamation (Libel & Slander) | Covers claims that your content harmed someone's reputation — the core of the policy. | Standard | |
| Copyright & Trademark Infringement | Covers claims over music, photos, video, slogans, and logos used in your content. | Standard | |
| Invasion of Privacy & Right of Publicity | Covers using a real person's name, image, or voice without permission. | Standard | |
| Defense Costs | Confirm defense is covered even when you win — media suits are costly to defend. | Standard | |
| Social Media & Influencer Content | Confirm posts by paid influencers and on all platforms are covered, not just your website. | Often limited | |
| Advertising Claims (False Advertising) | Claims that ads were false or misleading are often excluded or sublimited. | Often limited | |
| Content Created with AI Tools | Some policies exclude or limit AI-generated content — confirm it is not carved out. | Often limited | |
| Contractual Liability / Client Indemnity | Covers indemnities you give clients or platforms — often excluded unless added. | Often limited | |
| Work by Freelancers & Agencies | Confirms content made for you by others is covered. | If needed | |
| Privacy & Data Collection | Covers claims from tracking pixels, contests, and email lists — may need cyber coverage. | If needed | |
| Worldwide Coverage | Needed if content reaches or is sued on outside the U.S. | If needed |
The gap most often missed in this coverage
The gap most often missed in media coverage is music and images used on social media. Many businesses assume a song in a platform's library or a photo found online is free to use, but those libraries are licensed for personal posts, not brand advertising — one energy drink company was found liable for hundreds of videos. Some policies also exclude intellectual property claims or limit them to your own website. Confirm the policy covers copyright claims on every platform you use, and keep licenses on file for every asset.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your media & advertising liability coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Media & Advertising Liability Insurance · Media & Advertising Liability Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What should a media & advertising liability policy include?
Standard features to confirm in a media & advertising liability policy include Defamation (Libel & Slander), Copyright & Trademark Infringement, Invasion of Privacy & Right of Publicity, Defense Costs. This checklist also flags the features that are often limited or sublimited and the ones to add if needed, with a plain-English note on each.
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 media & advertising liability 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.