Buy Television Station Insurance

Television Station Insurance Policy Information

Television Station Insurance. Television stations broadcast advertising, concerts, episodic shows designed for entertainment, instructional shows, investigative reports, movies, news, religious services, sporting events, talk shows, variety shows, and weather reports. Some have call-in shows where viewers can ask hosts for advice on assorted topics.

Broadcasting can be transmitted over airwaves, digitally, by satellite, or over the internet. As many stations are now on the air 24 hours each day, the programming can be tailored to a specific audience, such as children or college students.

Broadcasters are licensed and regulated by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), which monitors each station for content appropriate for broadcasting. Stations need to maintain logs of all programming for FCC review.

While you always do your best to ensure that everything functions properly, sometimes, things can happen that are out of your control. In order to protect yourself from the unexpected, investing in the right type of television station insurance coverage is an absolute must.

To find out why commercial insurance is so important for television station broadcasters and what kind of coverage you need, keep on reading.

television station insurance protects your TV broadcasting business from lawsuits with rates as low as $47/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.

Below are some answers to commonly asked TV station insurance questions:

• What Is Television Station Insurance?
• How Much Does Television Station Insurance Cost?
• Why Do Television Stations Need Insurance?
• What Type Of Insurance Do Television Stations Need?
• What Does Television Station Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Why Do Television Stations Need Insurance?

The TV and media industry is constantly evolving, as it needs to stay current with the latest news, information, and entertainment, as well as the most state-of-the-art technologies.

Businesses that are in this growing and dynamic industry are faced with a variety of unique risks, and like the industry itself, those risks are ever-changing. In the event that unforeseen circumstances arise, you are liable for any expenses that are related to those issues; and, as you can imagine, those expenses can be quite exorbitant.

Whether an entertainer sues you for liable, a member of your crew suffers a work-related injury, your business is the victim of a cyberattack, or the property you broadcast your TV station out of is damaged, you're responsible for those expenses. That's why it's so important to invest in the right type of insurance.

Without television station insurance, if anything goes wrong, you'll have to pay for the related expenses out of your own pocket; however, if you're insured, instead of having to pay for those expenses yourself, your insurance provider will cover them for you. In other words, insurance can protect you from serious financial losses.

Television Station's Risks & Exposures

Premises liability exposure at the station is limited as public access is generally restricted to designated waiting areas and offices. If members of the public are allowed into the station for community events and broadcasts, or if the station offers tours to schools and other organizations, slips and falls can be reduced through good housekeeping and maintenance.

Floor coverings must be in good condition, with steps and uneven floor surfaces prominently marked, and free from obstacles. Exits must be sufficient in number, be well marked, and have backup lighting in case of power failure. Parking areas and sidewalks should be in good repair and kept clear of ice and snow.

Premises security is important, particularly if the station operates 24-hours-per-day.

Off-site exposures include reporters and equipment at the scene of newsworthy events, and salespersons calling on current and prospective customers. There should be procedures as to how they carry out their duties.

If the station owns transmission towers, proper maintenance is needed to prevent towers from collapsing during inclement weather, releasing chunks of ice and snow on adjacent properties, and to restrict unauthorized access by children or trespassers.

Functional lighting is required at all times to prevent aircraft from crashing into towers.

Professional liability exposure comes from broadcasting activities, including allegations of copyright infringement, libel or slander, defamation of character, invasion of privacy, failure to check the authenticity of the material, breach of confidentiality, or failure to broadcast commercials at the scheduled times.

Contractual agreements should be written and include verification of originality and authenticity of any broadcasted material such as commercials. All advertising, including changes, must be documented in writing. The exposure will be heavier for stations that cover local news events, do investigative reporting, or host talk shows or call-in listeners.

The defense for civil suits and FCC fines due to the broadcasting of obscene material is generally excluded from professional liability policies.

Workers compensation exposures are high both on or off premises due to the potential for slips and falls, electric shock from ungrounded equipment, falling items, injury from the lifting of cable or other equipment, hearing impairment from noise, and contact with clients or the public.

Repetitive motion injuries due to computer work can be prevented with ergonomically-designed workstations. Employees maintaining towers can fall, be struck by lightning, or receive high-voltage electric shocks from improperly grounded electrical wiring. Safety equipment is critical to prevent injuries.

Additional exposures arise from the use of independent contractors and whether employees go on overseas assignments, do undercover investigative reporting, visit dangerous or exotic locales, or participate in contests and dangerous or hazardous activities while on the job.

Property exposure is high. Ignition sources include electronic equipment used throughout the operation, heating, and air conditioning systems. All wiring should be up to date, well maintained, and meet codes for the occupancy. Studios are set up for taping local shows. Other programming comes through either live feed or tapes.

As newer equipment is added, wiring should be upgraded as needed. Electronic equipment is susceptible to damage by fire, smoke, and water. Fire extinguishers and automatic fire extinguishing or suppressant systems should be of a dry chemical nature and not water based.

Broadcasting equipment is expensive and may be targeted by thieves. Security should be appropriate for the value of the equipment and the area where located.

Business income and extra expense exposure is high as broadcasting must be done even after a loss. A disaster recovery plan, including the use of alternate facilities, should be in place due to the time needed to repair or replace broadcasting equipment.

Equipment breakdown exposures are high due to the reliance of the station on electronic broadcasting systems. A lengthy breakdown could result in a severe loss, both direct and under time element.

Crime exposures are from employee dishonesty and theft. Background checks, including criminal history, should be performed on all employees handling money. All billing, ordering, and disbursements should be handled as separate duties. Regular reconciliation and audits are vital. Stations will have expensive broadcasting equipment on premises that are susceptible to theft. These should be physically inventoried at regular intervals.

Inland marine exposures include accounts receivable if the station bills customers, broadcasting equipment, computers, towers, and valuable papers and records for clients' and regulatory information.

Towers, guy wires and all portable audio and camera equipment used on remote sites should be included in a broadcasting equipment floater. Towers can be struck by lightning, be blown over in heavy winds, or collapse due to the weight of ice and snow. Proper grounding, the use of appropriate guy wires, and de-icing equipment in northern areas will prevent or reduce these losses.

Satellite dishes may be considered property or inland marine, depending on the insurer, but inland marine forms generally offer broader coverage. Since most television stations use distance feeds, the satellite coverage is important.

Valuable papers and records include the FCC license to operate, broadcasting logs required by the FCC, and station archives. Duplicates should be made of all records and sound recordings and kept in an off-site backup facility for easy reproduction following a loss.

There may be theatrical property such as sets, props or costumes if the station tapes its own programming.

Business auto exposures include mobile vehicles with permanently attached equipment that may be taken out of local areas to the scene of a newsworthy event. The drivers should have training in driving these vehicles, including special training for driving in adverse conditions.

If the company supplies vehicles to reporters and salespersons, there should be a written policy on personal and permissive use of the vehicles. All drivers must have appropriate licenses and acceptable MVRs. All vehicles should be maintained, and records kept at a central location.

What Does Television Station Insurance Cover & Pay For?

There are several reasons why television stations can be sued, including:

• Defamation: If a television station broadcasts false statements that harm a person's reputation, that person may sue the station for defamation.
• Invasion of privacy: If a television station broadcasts private information about a person without their consent, that person may sue the station for invasion of privacy.
• Copyright infringement: If a television station uses copyrighted material without permission, the copyright owner may sue the station for copyright infringement.
• Breach of contract: If a television station violates a contract with another party, that party may sue the station for breach of contract.

To protect themselves against these types of lawsuits, television stations can purchase insurance, such as media liability insurance. This type of insurance can help pay for legal expenses and damages associated with these types of lawsuits.

For example, if a television station is sued for defamation, their media liability insurance policy can help pay for the costs of defending against the lawsuit and any damages awarded to the plaintiff. Similarly, if a station is sued for copyright infringement, their insurance can help cover legal fees and any settlements or judgments.

In the case of breach of contract, a television station's insurance may cover the costs associated with resolving the dispute, such as legal fees and settlement costs.

Overall, insurance can provide important protection for television stations against a variety of legal risks, helping to mitigate the financial impact of lawsuits and enabling them to continue operating and providing valuable programming to viewers.

Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification

• SIC CODE: 4833 Television Broadcasting Stations
• NAICS CODE: 515120 Television Broadcasting, 515210 Cable and Other Subscription Programming
• Suggested Workers Compensation Code(s): 7610 Television or Radio Broadcasting Station - All Employees & Clerical, Drivers

Description for 4833: Television Broadcasting Stations

Division E: Transportation, Communications, Electric, Gas, And Sanitary Services | Major Group 48: Communications | Industry Group 483: Radio And Television Broadcasting Stations

4833 Television Broadcasting Stations: Establishments primarily engaged in broadcasting visual programs by television to the public, except cable and other pay television services. Included in this industry are commercial, religious, educational, and other television stations. Also included here are establishments primarily engaged in television broadcasting and which produce taped television program materials. Separate establishments primarily engaged in producing taped television program materials are classified in Services, Industry 7812. Establishments primarily engaged in furnishing cable and other pay television services are classified in Industry 4841.

• Television broadcasting stations

Television Station Insurance - The Bottom Line

To learn more about the kinds of television station insurance policies you'll need, how much coverage you should have and the costs - speak with a reputable broker that is experienced in business insurance.

Additional Resources For Advertising, Marketing & Media Insurance

Learn about small business media liability insurance - a specialized form of professional liability insurance that provides protection for legal claims brought by third parties.

• Advertising Agency
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• Direct Mailing Services
• Graphic Arts
• Graphic Designers
• Magazine Publishers
• Market Research Firm
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• Printers & Publishers
• Public Relations
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• Television Stations

The advertising and marketing industry is a fast-paced and constantly evolving field that involves creating and promoting products or services to consumers. This industry is constantly trying to stay ahead of trends and attract new customers, and as a result, it is prone to risks and uncertainties.

One of the biggest risks that the advertising and marketing industry faces is the potential for legal disputes. For example, a company may be sued for false advertising, copyright infringement, or for using someone else's intellectual property without permission. These types of legal disputes can be costly and time-consuming, and they can damage a company's reputation.

Business insurance is an important tool for protecting businesses in the advertising and marketing industry from these types of risks. Insurance can provide financial protection in the event of a legal dispute, which can help a business to avoid financial ruin. Additionally, insurance can help to protect a business's reputation by helping to manage the cost and impact of any negative publicity.

In addition to legal risks, the advertising and marketing industry is also at risk of financial losses due to errors and omissions. For example, a marketing campaign may not be successful, or a company may make a mistake in the production or distribution of a product. These types of errors and omissions can be costly, and insurance can help to protect a business from these types of losses.

Overall, insurance is an important tool for protecting businesses in the advertising and marketing industry from the various risks that they face. It can provide financial protection in the event of legal disputes or financial losses, and it can help to protect a company's reputation and financial stability.

Minimum recommended small business insurance coverage: Building, Business Personal Property, Business Income with Extra Expense, Employee Dishonesty, Money and Securities, Accounts Receivable, Bailees' Customers, Computers, Valuable Papers and Records, General Liability, Employee Benefits Liability, Professional and Advertising Liability, Umbrella Liability, Hired and Non-owned Auto Liability & Workers Compensation.

Other commercial insurance policies to consider: Earthquake, Equipment Breakdown, Flood, Computer Fraud, Forgery, Special Floater, Cyber Liability, Employment-related Practices Liability, Business Automobile Liability and Physical Damage, Foreign Automobile Liability and Physical Damage, Foreign Workers Compensation, Repatriation Expense and Stop Gap Liability.