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FIRE Tip Sheets convey expert guidance to help media outlets and freelance reporters arrange viable contracts for public-interest investigations.  The tip sheets below answer a freelancer’s questions about securing personal insurance.


Personal Insurance

Tip Sheets on liability policies for freelancers

 Access the Tip Sheets by topic, below.


Protecting yourself: Media insurance demystified

Should a freelancer buy her own "media liability" insurance? The answer may surprise you



Should I buy my own insurance? 

You may not need personal insurance for the reason you think you do

 

Can You Afford a Policy? More on the cost of personal media insurance

$7,000 in premiums, $7,000 deductible—how it all adds up 

 


Buying in: The alluring idea of pooled insurance 

Can a “mutual risk pool” ever make insurance cheaper? 

 


Insecure Assets: Won't an LLC protect me?

Can my LLC help shield me? (Depends on what it's made of) 

 

Uncovered: What should I do if I can't afford personal insurance? 

Rule #1: Report only for outlets that indemnify you, if you don't have insurance 

 


The Back Up: If insured, should I insist that an outlet cover me too? 

Rule #1a: Report only for outlets that indemnify you, even if you have insurance 

 


Auxilliary Risk: Associated types of insurance for journalists 

Perils beyond the words on the page 

 






About the FIRE Tip Sheets

FIRE Tip Sheets highlight some of the key questions raised at a 2021 FIRE panel on freelancer liability. Future guides will address intellectual property, pay rates, and other key issues for freelancers. An annotated list of the complete FIRE Tip Sheets appears here

FIRE Tip Sheets are made available for educational and informational purposes only: They are not legal advice. FIRE makes no representation or warranty for any particular fitness of purpose and is not responsible for the effect of any reliance upon FIRE Tip Sheets or other information provided by FIRE. 

Primary sources:

FIRE Tip Sheets are meant to open a dialogue in the public interest. To help us improve them, please email info@firenewsroom.org, subject line "Tip Sheet feedback." To query or clarify any element of Tip Sheet for use in freelance investigative reporting, please follow instructions at Legal Consultancy.


FIRE Tip Sheets are made possible by support from Craig Newmark Philanthropies.

© Freelance Investigative Reporters and Editors, 2022