Users are finding that what they say on their blog or post on YouTube can have economic consequences. Posting to sites such as Twitter or Facebook for personal and business reasons has increased in popularity in recent years. Posting images or text that slander, defame another’s character or violate copyright laws, however, leave users open for lawsuits. The Media Law Resource Center in New York has reported that courts have settled about $17.4 million in trial awards resulting from blogs and Web site postings and there are many more cases awaiting jury outcomes.

Most homeowner policies provide personal injury and liability coverage, but do not cover malicious acts of slander on the Internet. Some high-end policies may offer limited coverage and users can always purchase additional coverage.  Bloggers who have contractual agreements with a third party or receive any type of compensation for their posts may be best served with a business liability policy.

“The best defense is to read your policy and know what it covers,” advised Candysse Miller, Insurance Information Network of California (IINC) Executive Director. “Bloggers face many new challenges and insurers are designing policies to accommodate these new risks.”