Does General Liability Cover Defamation?
Sometimes. CGL may cover defined defamation offenses, but exclusions and your business activity can remove protection.
CGL may cover a defamation claim if it fits the policy’s definition of personal and advertising injury. The ISO specimen includes certain oral or written publications, but exclusions can remove claims involving knowing falsity, earlier publications, contract disputes, or some media businesses.
Check the issued form’s definition, exclusions, defense terms, and limits. If you publish content or provide media services, ask whether a media liability policy is needed and how any media-business exclusion applies.
Related Coverage
Sources
- Commercial general liability insurance. Insurance Information Institute; What commercial general liability insurance covers; Coverage A, B and C; Additional liability coverages to consider. Accessed 2026-09-25.
- Commercial General Liability Coverage Form, CG 00 01 12 07. ISO; specimen hosted by Hiscox; Coverage A I.A pp.1–5; Coverage B I.B pp.6–7; Who Is An Insured II pp.9–10; Limits III p.10; Conditions IV pp.10–12; Definitions V pp.12–16. Accessed 2026-09-25.
