One type of specialty insurance frequently purchased by authors is “media perils” or “media liability” insurance. Media perils insurance is purchased by authors and publishing houses to insure against claims of copyright and trademark infringement, invasion of privacy, and defamation. Freelance writers generally obtain this type of insurance on their own, chalking it up as a cost of doing business. Authors, on the other hand, often negotiate with their publishing houses to provide media perils coverage on a book by book basis, asking the publishing houses to obtain insurance riders naming the authors as additional insureds under the publishing house policy.

As independent business people, authors and artists also must insure against loss of productivity and income resulting from sickness, injury, or death—whether to themselves, their employees, or their families. Arguably, the most important asset an author or artist possesses is his or her health and well being. For that reason, they must not overlook their personal insurance needs. The following is a listing of various types of personal insurance authors and artists can obtain: