What Insurance Covers Libel and Slander?

Libel generally refers to a defamatory written or otherwise recorded statement, while slander generally refers to a spoken statement. Both can be alleged as defamation, and standard commercial general liability personal-and-advertising-injury wording can encompass oral or written publication that slanders or libels another person or organization. The NAIC-published study explains this form language, but it is not a ruling on every policy or claim.

Coverage can be limited by exclusions for knowing falsity, prior publication, media or internet operations, or other conduct. A company that publishes editorial material, designs websites for others, or operates a content platform should not assume its standard CGL policy applies; a media liability form may need to be considered. The date of publication and when a claim is first made can also matter.

Check whether the alleged statement was written or spoken, the policy’s defined offense, who qualifies as an insured, the applicable media-business exclusion, and the defense trigger. Review claims-made reporting deadlines if present, prior acts dates, consent-to-settle provisions, and whether defense costs reduce the limit.