Essential insurance types for freelance writers

We know that as a freelance writer, business insurance might fall down your list of priorities. You’d rather concentrate on the words – not worry about the “what ifs” of a freelancer lifestyle – but as a creative professional, it’s important to understand the risks that you’re taking on when you produce written content for clients.
 

Do freelance writers need business insurance? 

Freelancing is common in the world of professional writing, with many people entering into contracts with clients without properly protecting themselves financially. But it’s important to remember that if anything goes wrong, you are financially responsible.  

While it’s likely you have put some money aside for the quiet times around a holiday for example, or an emergency, it’s likely that it’s not enough to cover the costs in the case of one of your clients suing you or if someone is harmed in the course of your work.  

In this article, we’ll look at the most useful types of business insurance for writers – so that you can ensure your freelance career is more “happily ever after” than “dark and stormy night”. 

Professional Indemnity insurance for freelance writers  

You draft carefully, edit ruthlessly and proofread meticulously before sending any of your work to your clients. But even with the best of intentions, mistakes can still happen. Whether it’s an errant typo that means your client must get their entire run of leaflets reprinted or an unintentionally libellous comment that gets posted in a blog, a career in freelance writing does leave you exposed to legal risks and hazards.  

Professional Indemnity insurance is there to protect you and your client in these instances. It will cover legal fees, and any compensation/damages awarded for cases of professional negligence that have cost your clients money, such as: 

• Copyright breaches – where your work might appear unintentionally too like something else that’s out there, or you’ve forgotten to reference your sources. 

• Defamation, liable and slander – if your words damage the reputation of someone or cause them distress or harm. 

• Mistakes and negligence – when you’ve made factual errors or typos in your copy. 

Public Liability insurance for freelance writers 

Although they say the pen is mightier than the sword, no one really thinks of writing as a particularly dangerous activity – but when you’re running a small business, hazards exist whenever you’re working in contact with the general public. That’s why Public Liability insurance is a must for anyone who writes on-the-go.  

When you are not required to work in a client’s office, you may favour getting your creative juices flowing by people-watching from the corner of a cafe, holing up in a public library or joining in the chat in a co-working space. In all these circumstances, as you are acting in a business capacity you should seriously consider Public Liability insurance – as your home contents insurance is unlikely to protect you.  

A Public Liability policy will protect the people around you if an accident happens when you’re working outside the home, in a client office or elsewhere – for example, if a fellow customer trips over the cable of your laptop in a coffee shop, or if you spill your drink over a fellow freelancer’s MacBook in a co-working space.  

It will cover legal fees and compensation if people are injured, or their property damaged because of the activities of your business. Many clients also ask for this protection as part of their standard freelancer contract, so it helps ensure that you are meeting your contractual obligations.  

Business Equipment cover for freelance writers 

From quills to typewriters, writers have long been associated with the romantic tools of their trade. Nowadays, while you might have a favourite notebook and pen, you will almost certainly be filing most of your articles, blogs and copy electronically. Without your laptop or tablet, it would be impossible for you to carry on working.  

That’s why it’s important to protect your essential gadgets with Business Equipment insurance. Often this insurance will cover any piece of equipment that is owned by your business, no matter where you are using it and will provide a guarantee of replacement or cash in your bank within a specific timeframe to minimise the disruptive effect on your workload. 

Discover how Kingsbridge were able to help customer Miss J after the theft of her £4,000 laptop, in our Business Equipment Case Study. 

Cyber Liability insurance for freelance writers 

With client databases, briefs, and confidential emails, freelance writers are probably holding onto a lot more sensitive data than they realise. Small businesses are an increasing target for cyber-attacks because they don’t have the infrastructure of a larger company.  

Ransomware – where your systems are held captive until you pay a large sum of money – can be particularly devastating to freelance writers. It might mean you don’t have access to your files and can’t work while your computer is held hostage.  

Cyber Liability insurance helps to mitigate against these risks, offering you help with ransomware demands, restoring your systems and recovering data, as well as regulatory fines that might be incurred. Plus, some policies will also help you to improve your systems after an attack to minimise the chance of it occurring again. 

Why choose a Kingsbridge insurance policy for your freelance writing business? 

Kingsbridge are experts in the freelance insurance space and have been providing insurance to freelance writers for many years. Our team have used our experience to craft a tailored insurance package for freelance writers, making sure you have all the cover you need to protect your business.  

We recognise that in this financial climate you have many business costs, so we offer flexible payment options and the ability to adjust your coverage as your needs change. Plus, if you discover the same coverage somewhere else for less, we provide a Price Promise to beat any like for like quote. 

If we’ve helped you get a idea of the risks your business might be exposed to and the cover you need as a freelance writer, contact us for a quote online or by ringing our team on 01242 808740.