Defamation Insurance Explained
Defamation def: Any written or oral communication about a person or thing that is both untrue and unfavorable. Media liability and general liability policies typically provide coverage for claims alleging defamation (although general liability policies exclude such coverage for insureds engaged in media businesses is can be purchased separately).
Is Defamation Insurance Included In A Commercial General Liability Policy (CGL)
CGL Insurance is a standard insurance policy issued to businesses & organizations to protect them against liability claims for bodily injury (BI) and property damage (PD) arising out of premises, operations, products, and completed operations; and advertising and personal injury (PI) liability. The CGL Insurance policy was introduced in 1986 and is often also referred to as a “comprehensive” general liability policy.
It is the advertising and personal injury (PI) liability section of the commercial general liability policy that includes defamation insurance.
What Else Is Covered By CGL Insurance?
In addition to providing defamation insurance, the typical CGL insurance policy contains numerous types of coverage including:
- Bodily Injury To Third Parties- Which means bodily harm, sickness, or disease, including resulting death that results from the operations of your business. Ex. a customer slips in your store and breaks their hip.
- Property Damage To Third Parties- Damage caused to property of others. Ex. a contractor accidentally damages the building next to the one he is working on.
- Products Liability- The liability for bodily injury (BI) or property damage (PD) incurred by a merchant or manufacturer as a consequence of some defect in the product sold or manufactured. Ex. the customer becomes sick after eating at a restaurant.
- Completed Operations- Work of the insured that has been completed as called for in a contract, or work completed at a single job site under a contract involving multiple job sites, or work that has been put to its intended use. Ex. a plumber installs a new toilet and it begins to leak and damages the contents of the room below.
- Tenants Legal Liability- Tenant accepts responsibility for the damage they may cause to the building which they rent or lease from a landlord. Ex. an asset management company employee leaves a candle burning at their desk overnight which catches fire and burns down the entire office tower.