Home » FIRE Tip Sheets » Personal Insurance » Auxilliary Risk

Fire Tip Sheets

FIRE Tip Sheets convey expert guidance to help media outlets and freelance reporters arrange viable contracts for public-interest investigations.  An annotated list of the complete FIRE Tip Sheets appears here.


Auxilliary Risk

Associated types of insurance for journalists

FIRE’s Tip Sheets on insurance are designed to address policies for “media perils”—the core liability for any freelance reporter. 

But in addition to media insurance protecting media content (e.g., the words you write), you may need separate insurance to cover other journalistic risks like

  • the value of vulnerable video or filmmaking equipment
  • bodily harm in dangerous conditions
  • data breaches if you work online and possess sensitive private data.

FIRE is most concerned about perils related to the content of reporting itself, but cybersecurity policies often include media liability, which can make them an alternative to standard media E&O.  

FIRE can help sort all this out—including the issue of cost and finding a broker. If you have run into questions in your research, inquire here. And for more tools and services from FIRE's allies, check our Resources page.


About the FIRE Tip Sheets

FIRE Tip Sheets highlight some of the key questions raised at a 2021 FIRE panel on freelancer liability. Future guides will address intellectual property, pay rates, and other key issues for freelancers. An annotated list of the complete FIRE Tip Sheets appears here

FIRE Tip Sheets are made available for educational and informational purposes only: They are not legal advice. FIRE makes no representation or warranty for any particular fitness of purpose and is not responsible for the effect of any reliance upon FIRE Tip Sheets or other information provided by FIRE. 

Primary sources:

FIRE Tip Sheets are meant to open a dialogue in the public interest. To help us improve them, please email info@firenewsroom.org, subject line "Tip Sheet feedback." To query or clarify any element of Tip Sheet for use in freelance investigative reporting, please follow instructions at Legal Consultancy.


FIRE Tip Sheets are made possible by support from Craig Newmark Philanthropies.

© Freelance Investigative Reporters and Editors, 2022