Media & Advertising Professional Indemnity Insurance

Premiums typically range from $1,000 to $6,000 per year for small to mid-sized agencies with revenue under $1 million, depending on service mix, client industries and claims history. Larger agencies with significant media billings or work in regulated industries pay more. Request a free quote through Shielded for accurate pricing.

Yes. Most media and advertising PI policies include cover for intellectual property infringement claims, including copyright, trademark and design right infringement in your creative work. However, cover is typically limited to unintentional infringement. Deliberate copying of a known third-party work would generally be excluded.

Yes, provided your PI policy includes defamation cover and social media management falls within the definition of professional services. Social media creates real-time publication risk, so ensure your policy does not impose a pre-publication approval requirement that would be impractical for social media content.

Many media and advertising PI policies include cover for costs incurred in responding to ACCC investigations and proceedings relating to misleading advertising or deceptive conduct. This is particularly relevant for agencies working in sectors with strict advertising standards such as financial services, health and alcohol.

PI insurance covers claims arising from negligent professional advice and services. Media liability insurance is a broader product that specifically covers publishing risks including defamation, intellectual property infringement, invasion of privacy and misleading content. Some policies combine both coverages. Discuss your specific needs with your broker to determine the right structure.

Most PI policies cover work performed by freelancers and subcontractors engaged under your agency's agreements, provided they are working under your direction and control. Some policies require that subcontractors hold their own PI cover. If your agency relies heavily on freelancers, confirm the policy terms with your broker.

Yes. If your agency manages influencer partnerships, PI insurance can cover claims arising from influencer content that infringes intellectual property, contains defamatory material or breaches advertising standards. Ensure your agency agreements with influencers include clear content approval processes and compliance obligations to reduce risk.

Professional indemnity (PI) insurance protects professionals and businesses against claims arising from negligent acts, errors, omissions or breaches of professional duty in the provision of services or advice. It covers legal defence costs, settlements and damages awarded against you. PI insurance operates on a claims-made basis, meaning the policy in force when the claim is made responds – not the policy in force when the work was performed.

Any professional who provides advice, designs, recommendations or services to clients should carry PI insurance. This includes accountants, architects, engineers, lawyers, financial planners, mortgage brokers, IT consultants, real estate agents, builders, health practitioners, management consultants and many more. For many professions, PI insurance is mandatory under Australian legislation or industry body requirements.

PI insurance premiums depend on your profession, annual revenue or fee income, claims history, limit of indemnity required and the scope of services you provide. A sole practitioner consultant might pay $500 to $2,000 per year for $1M cover, while a mid-size engineering or accounting firm could pay $5,000 to $20,000+ for $5M to $10M cover. High-risk professions like financial planning or building design attract higher premiums.

PI insurance typically covers legal defence costs (solicitors, barristers, court fees), damages or settlements awarded to the claimant, investigation costs from regulatory bodies, breach of professional duty, negligent acts or omissions, unintentional breach of confidentiality, loss or damage to client documents, and defamation arising from professional activities. Cover extends to past work through retroactive dates.

Yes, for many regulated professions in Australia. Mandatory PI insurance requirements apply to solicitors, financial advisers (AFSL holders), mortgage brokers, accountants (registered tax agents), architects, building practitioners in most states, real estate agents, migration agents, customs brokers, and various health practitioners. Requirements vary by state and professional body – check your specific obligations.

Professional indemnity covers financial loss caused by your professional advice or services – for example, an accounting error that costs a client money. Public liability covers physical injury or property damage caused by your business operations – for example, a client tripping over a cable in your office. Most professionals need both, but they cover fundamentally different risks.

PI insurance operates on a 'claims-made' basis, meaning the policy that responds is the one in force when the claim is first made or notified – not the policy that was in force when the work was performed. This is why continuous, unbroken cover is essential. If you change insurers or let your policy lapse, you may lose cover for past work. Run-off cover is available for professionals who retire or close their practice.

The limit of indemnity you need depends on your contractual obligations, regulatory requirements and risk exposure. Many contracts require $1M, $2M, $5M or $10M minimum cover. Regulatory requirements vary by profession – for example, AFSL holders have specific minimums set by ASIC. Consider your largest client contracts and the potential financial impact of a claim when selecting your limit.

Contact us at Shielded Insurance on 1800 97 98 99 or your insurer directly. With PI insurance, early notification is critical – you must notify your insurer of any claim or circumstance that could give rise to a claim as soon as you become aware of it. Late notification can jeopardise your cover. Never admit liability or attempt to settle a claim without insurer approval.

We access a broad range of Australian domestic markets, specialist underwriting agencies and international capacity including Lloyd's of London syndicates. This allows us to place cover for standard professions through to complex or hard-to-place risks. As brokers, we compare multiple options to find competitive and suitable cover for your profession and risk profile.