Does Media Liability Cover User-Generated Content?

A platform that hosts posts, reviews, comments, or uploads faces a different content-control question from a publisher that creates every item itself. The Hiscox specimen excludes claims arising from content provided by a client, though it says claim expenses may still be paid for claims based on that content. This is one form’s treatment and does not establish a universal rule for all user-generated content.

Coverage could depend on who supplied the material, whether the insured edited, selected, promoted, or republished it, and whether an endorsement changes the exclusion. The policy’s definition of media activities and named insureds also matters where platform operators, affiliates, moderators, or contractors are involved.

Give the underwriter a clear description of upload and moderation practices, the types of user content, and how complaints or takedown requests are handled. Ask for the applicable third-party-content wording and any required controls. Verify that the final schedule and endorsements match the answer you receive.