Writers Insurance

writers insurance

Protect Your Craft With Author Insurance

As a writer, you're able to express your creativity through words. While your work is rewarding, it also presents unique risks that can harm your business. Writers insurance is designed to help protect you, so you can focus on crafting impactful stories without worrying about potential setbacks.
 
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writers insurance

Why Do You Need Writers Insurance?

From copyright disputes to accidental defamation claims, unexpected risks can put your business and reputation on the line. Writers insurance is a collection of business insurance solutions specifically tailored to the publishing industry. Without coverage, you'd have to pay out of pocket, which can be costly for your business.
writer insurance

Who May Need Writer Insurance?

If you're a professional writer or create content to print and publish, you can benefit from writer insurance. Some of the types of businesses in the printing and publishing industry we can help protect include:
 
  • Freelance and technical writers
  • Authors
  • Screenwriters
  • Journalists, copywriters and ghostwriters
  • Content creators
  • Bloggers
  • Editors and proofreaders
  • Publishing consultants
author insurance

What Kind of Insurance Should Writers Have?

Whether you're a freelancer, novelist or content creator, having the right coverage is essential. Most writers have a Business Owner's Policy (BOP) for the peace of mind it provides. It helps protect writers from common claims that can come up during normal operations, such as bodily injury or property damage.
A BOP combines three essential types of coverage into a single policy:
 
  • General liability insurance to help protect your writing business from claims it caused bodily injury or property damage.
  • Commercial property insurance to help protect your owned or rented building, as well as computers, pens, pencils, paper, supplies, printers and other equipment that you use to operate.
  • Business income insurance to help replace lost income if you can't operate because of property damage caused by fire, theft or wind.
We know every small business owner is unique, so The Hartford makes it easy for you to get the insurance you need with a policy customized to your business. For example, if you have employees, you’ll need workers’ compensation insurance to help protect them from work-related injuries or illnesses. Our specialists can work with you to understand the risks you face and help you get the right coverage.
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Help protect against the unique risks you face as a writer.
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How Much Does Writer Insurance Cost?

Writers insurance costs vary, but here are the average costs The Hartford's small business customers who are writers or authors pay for common types of coverage:**
 
  • BOP: $1,687 a year, or about $141 a month
  • Standalone general liability insurance: $810 a year, or about $68 a month
  • Workers’ compensation insurance: $1,032 a year, or about $86 a month
It's important to remember that the cost of writer insurance varies since each insurance plan is unique. Insurance companies also use different factors to determine rates. The best way to find out how much writers insurance will cost is to get a quote.
insurance for writers

Access Your Insurance 24/7

We know your time is valuable, so we've made it easy to get your proof of insurance online.

Covering Your Operations

Your writing business faces risks every day. The right coverage can help protect your work and reputation.
Small businesses take on 48% of commercial tort costs.2
Employment Practices Liability Insurance for Writers

Employment Practices Liability Insurance

"I hired an independent contractor to help print our magazine, but they couldn't work quickly enough, and I ended up missing deadlines. After I let them go, they sued me for wrongful termination."
 
Employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) can help protect your business from employment-related claims, such as discrimination, harassment and wrongful termination. With The Hartford, this coverage can also help cover claims from vendors, customers and other third parties.
general liability insurance for writers

General Liability Insurance

"My agent was helping me with a print job when his hand got caught in one of the rollers. We had to take him to the hospital for treatment."
 
General liability insurance can help cover claims that your business hurt someone else. It can help cover their medical bills and your legal costs if you get sued. 

Taking Care of Your Team

Your employees face risks every day, so it's essential to protect them on the job. Writers insurance can give them peace of mind to focus on their craft during the workday. 
The education, legal, community service, arts and media industry have the 10th highest number of workplace injuries and illnesses.3
Commercial Auto Insurance for writers

Commercial Auto Insurance

“My editor was driving our van to a book signing event when he got into an accident. He had to go to the hospital to treat his bruises."
 
Commercial auto insurance helps protect your business on the road. It can help cover claims of bodily injury or property damage from an accident when a company-owned vehicle is used for business.
workers compensation for dietitians

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

“One of our staff members hurt her back after lifting a heavy box of books. She needed physical therapy for several weeks.”
 
Workers’ compensation insurance gives your team benefits if they have a work-related injury or illness. It can help cover their medical bills and replace lost wages. With The Hartford, your employees also have access to a network of over 1 million providers and 65,000 pharmacies.

Protecting Your Property

From the computers you use to write and create content, to the supplies and equipment you use to print, your business property is key to your success. That's why protecting your equipment with writers insurance is essential.
Over the past 10 years, there is an average of nearly 12,000 structure fires a month in the U.S.4
commercial property insurance for writers

Commercial Property Insurance

“High winds knocked a tree branch right through my office window, shattering the glass and damaging some of my equipment.”
 
Commercial property insurance helps protect your business' physical assets such as equipment, furniture and personal property from loss or damage caused by events like storms, fires or vandalism.
business income insurance for writers

Business Income Insurance

“A fire tore through my office and destroyed my computer, manuscripts and research materials. Without my equipment, I couldn’t meet deadlines and lost contracts."
 
Business income insurance can help you continue paying ongoing expenses like rent, payroll and utilities if you can't temporarily operate due to covered property loss.

Frequently Asked Questions About Writers Insurance

Author insurance, also known as writers insurance, is a collection of business insurance coverages designed to help protect your business from risks, such as bodily injury and property damage. Without coverage, you'd have to pay out of pocket for costly claims.
In the writing industry, a lawsuit or claim can be financially devastating to your business. Writers insurance is key to helping your business manage different types of claims. It's also important to have coverage because your state may require you to carry insurance. For example, if you have employees, most states require employers to have workers' compensation insurance.
Getting a quote for authors insurance is fast and easy. In just a few minutes, you can get a free online quote from The Hartford specifically designed for your writing business.
writers insurance quote

Get Writers Insurance Made for Your Business

Get the coverage you need to help protect your writing career and business.
 
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Last Updated: April 10, 2025
** Costs, premiums, and coverages mentioned are estimates and are not guaranteed. Actual cost, premium, and coverage are determined at the time of quote or issue and are specific to an individual risk. Premiums are based on information provided to The Hartford, including, but not limited to, underwriting and rating criteria. All examples included on this website or in an advertisement are intended for informational purposes only and are not an offer or a guarantee of premium or coverage. Coverage and products described are subject to the terms and conditions found in the policy contract. Any educational information provided about available coverages does not modify the policy language or imply that any claim is covered. Products are not available in all states or for all businesses.
2 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform, "Tort Costs for Small Businesses"

3 Insurance Information Institute, "Facts + Statistics: Workplace Safety/Workers’ Comp"

4 National Fire Sprinkler Association, "Fires and Numbers - NFSA Investigates Structure Fire Trends in the U.S."
This page outlines in general terms the coverages that may be afforded under a policy from The Hartford. All policies must be examined carefully to determine suitability for your needs and to identify any exclusions, limitations or any other terms and conditions that may specifically affect coverage. In the event of a conflict, the terms and conditions of the policy prevail.
 
All Hartford coverages and services described on this page may be offered by one or more of the property and casualty insurance company subsidiaries of The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. In Arizona, California, New Hampshire, Texas, and Washington by Hartford Fire Insurance Company, Hartford Casualty Insurance Company, Hartford Accident & Indemnity Company, Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company, Twin City Fire Insurance Company, Pacific Insurance Company, Limited, Sentinel Insurance Company, LTD (CA license #8701), Hartford Lloyd's Insurance Company, Hartford Insurance Company of Illinois, Hartford Insurance Company of the Midwest, Trumbull Insurance Company, Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast, and Property & Casualty Insurance Company of Hartford and its property and casualty insurance company affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155.
 
Additional disclosures below.
The Hartford shall not be liable for any damages in connection with the use of any information provided on this page. Please consult with your insurance agent/broker or insurance company to determine specific coverage needs as this information is intended to be educational in nature.
 
The information contained on this page should not be construed as specific legal, HR, financial, or insurance advice and is not a guarantee of coverage. In the event of a loss or claim, coverage determinations will be subject to the policy language, and any potential claim payment will be determined following a claim investigation.
 
Certain coverages vary by state and may not be available to all businesses. All Hartford coverages and services described on this page may be offered by one or more of the property and casualty insurance company subsidiaries of The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. listed in the Legal Notice.
 
The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc., (NYSE: HIG) operates through its subsidiaries under the brand name, The Hartford, and is headquartered in Hartford, CT. For additional details, please read The Hartford’s Legal Notice.
 
* Customer reviews are collected and tabulated by The Hartford and not representative of all customers.
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