Home Page
  • Home
  • Get A Quote
  • Customer Service
  • What We Offer
    • Automobile
    • Business & Commercial
    • Earthquake
    • Flood
    • Health
    • Homeowners
    • Life
    • Motorcycle
    • Recreational Vehicle
    • Renters
    • Specialty Insurance
    • Trucking
    • Watercraft & Boat
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Refer a Friend
    • Important Links
    • Insurance Glossary
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Location Map
    • Employee Directory
    • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Join Our Newsletter
postheader postheader postheader postheader postheader postheader
Home > Blog > Social Media Liability - Part 2
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2017

Social Media Liability - Part 2

See part 1 which discusses the meaning of social media liability.

Social media liability claims can be complicated and expensive since they may involve historical postings. In these instances, defense costs may include electronic discovery or subpoenaing information from any applicable social networking sites. Expenses could expand if a party filing a lawsuit demands information beyond a post to one particular site to include posts made on all the social networking sites where a defendant holds an account.

Depending on the nature of the claim, the insured may be faced with multiple lawsuits in multiple jurisdictions including outside the United States. Defense costs may reflect extensive jurisdictional and venue disputes that have to be handled (and paid for) even before determining if that claim is eligible for coverage.

Another issue is the problem of handling intentional (deliberate) acts. They are routinely excluded by most insurance policies. An insurance company may choose to deny either legally defending and/or responding to a lawsuit because, in its opinion, the policyholder had full knowledge that published information was false or that an act was an invasion of privacy.

Social media liability is not a common term so insurance policies generally refer to the traditional terms of "personal and advertising injury" and extending this traditional coverage to social media and the Internet. Social media makes it easier to libel, slander or invade a person's privacy.

Off-the-cuff comments that used to be made at the water cooler or in the privacy of one's home are now published nationwide or internationally. The result? Damages sought by a claim can be more substantial because there are more people aware of the comments as compared to traditional situation.

You must be aware of the legal potential in using social media and the claims that can result if defamatory comments are made about family members, friends, exes, etc. There is no immunity from lawsuits simply because such comments are commonly posted on sites such as Facebook or Twitter.

Considering what is at stake, especially for businesses, umbrella coverage is definitely recommended as an additional source of protection. Umbrella coverage is also recommended for prolific social media users and bloggers. Although avoiding high-risk behavior is a simpler and more effective way to eliminate problems, it is unlikely that individuals will avoid social media or blogging altogether. A more realistic expectation may be that a person may inadvertently engage in behavior that creates a claim. Individuals should evaluate the risk potential and realize that coverage for social media liability may become a necessary part of everyday life, similar to auto insurance or home insurance.

Posted 1:49 PM

Tags: social media liability
Share |


No Comments


Post a Comment
Required
Required (Not Displayed)
Required


All comments are moderated and stripped of HTML.

NOTICE: This blog and website are made available by the publisher for educational and informational purposes only. It is not be used as a substitute for competent insurance, legal, or tax advice from a licensed professional in your state. By using this blog site you understand that there is no broker client relationship between you and the blog and website publisher.
Blog Archive
  • 2020
  • 2017

  • auto insurance(4)
  • umbrella(3)
  • excess liability(2)
  • full coverage(2)
  • insurance(2)
  • commercial property(2)
  • personal auto(2)
  • auto(2)
  • homeowners(2)
  • compare(1)
  • liability(1)
  • social media(1)
  • acv(1)
  • slander(1)
  • rising rates(1)
  • danger(1)
  • new driver agreement(1)
  • flood insurance(1)
  • part 2(1)
  • exclusions(1)
  • coverage types(1)
  • required maintenance(1)
  • safety(1)
  • low cost(1)
  • auto policy exclusions(1)
  • discrimination(1)
  • employers liability(1)
  • quote(1)
  • higher limits(1)
  • libel(1)
  • reducing cost(1)
  • business(1)
  • location(1)
  • underlying(1)
  • spliting lanes(1)
  • home contents(1)
  • inventory(1)
  • new address(1)
  • home(1)
  • personal items(1)
  • social media liability(1)
  • auto coverage(1)
  • employee(1)
  • sexual harassment(1)
  • workers comp(1)
  • young driver agreement(1)
  • move(1)
  • occupancy(1)
  • cost(1)
  • policy(1)

View Mobile Version
 
  • Mercury
  • Hartford
  • Safeco
  • Liberty Mutual
  • Foremost
  • Progressive
  • First American
 

HOME PAGE ABOUT US GET A QUOTE REFER A FRIEND CONTACT US

4166 Almond St | Riverside, CA 92501 | Phone: 951-684-3500 | Fax: 951-684-3578 | tim@ria-cb.com

Logo
Powered by Insurance Website Builder
Social  Facebook Icon LinkedIn Blog