{"id":1460,"date":"2019-10-14T05:09:05","date_gmt":"2019-10-14T11:09:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.insuringky.com\/blog\/?p=1460"},"modified":"2020-04-09T12:00:26","modified_gmt":"2020-04-09T18:00:26","slug":"internet-liability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insuringky.com\/blog\/internet-liability\/","title":{"rendered":"Internet Liability"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Libel
Libel and Slander can also occur online<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Each day more people decide to create their own Websites, blogs or otherwise participate in social media activities. The reasons for having a Website or blog vary or other activities range from frivolity to earnestness. Personal Websites and blogs commonly describe the host, his or her family, and interests such as a particular hobby, sports, profession, humor, etc. Whatever the reason for creating a Website or blog, they, along with social network activity can represent an additional source of loss that may require additional insurance. The loss potential is directly related to the purpose and content found on the Website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Opportunity For Old Losses<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Website liability is an extension of the age-old accountability for what you say or write. Such responsibility extends to household members; so it’s important to be aware of what a family’s little E-wizard may be doing. The types of losses that may be created by a Website, blog, or social media activity include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • Libel – knowingly publishing false information that harms a person’s reputation.<\/li>
  • Invasion of Privacy – disclosing information that interferes with another party’s peace of mind.<\/li>
  • Infringement – violating or interfering with another’s property rights or the right to pursue business<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Oops, You May Not Be Covered<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"libel
    Are you insured for libel and slander? Most aren’t!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Most homeowner policies protect against liability for tangible injury to another person or for actual damage to another party’s property. Liability created by publishing or broadcasting content typically involves a personal (or non-physical) injury that is not covered by a typical homeowner policy. While individuals may be able to add protection (such as add-ons to a homeowner policy or umbrella coverage), certain losses may still be uncovered because they involve intended acts or business activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Can You Protect Yourself?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The good\nnews is you can take steps to eliminate or, at least, minimize the possibility\nof facing electronic publishing-related loss. The first step is to identify\nareas of concern. The key to understanding and addressing any possible Website\nliability is to focus upon:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    • the nature of\n the Website or activity<\/li>
    • the Website or\n account\u2019s contents<\/li>
    • who may be\n harmed by the site or activity<\/li>
    • how a party may\n be harmed<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      It is\nimportant that you think hard about these issues and approach the job\nobjectively. Your building a site, blogging or using social media\njust for “fun” could end with you explaining the punch line in court.\nTwo people can interpret information in radically different ways. Use a method\nof examining your Website that helps you view it through “fresh” eyes\nthat won’t gloss over important facts. Asking the help of others could be a big\nplus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Considerations\nFor Your Web Site, Blog or Social Networking<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      If you or\nsomeone in your household operates or is building a Website, or is active with\nsocial media, you need to be aware that the site (or activity) could open you\nto legal situations. Here are some questions you should consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Who\ncreated the site or page?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Key\nconsideration: depending upon the circumstances, a private party that created\nthe site for you may share (or even own) the responsibility for damages caused\nby the site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      What is\nthe purpose of your site or activity?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Key\nconsideration: Is there ANY business activity or purpose? If so, you may have\nan immediate need to secure appropriate protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      What\ncontent is found at your site or page?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Key\nconsideration: Not only do you have to think about YOUR message, but you must\nthink of other parties that appear at your site such as friends, companion\nbusinesses or even miscellaneous links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Who do\nyou intend to attract to the site and how do visitors use your page?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Key\nconsideration: There’s a big difference in the type of people you’re targeting,\nsuch as inviting:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      • relatives to see\n baby pictures or family newsletters<\/li>
      • customers to\n request product\/service information or to place orders<\/li>
      • hobbyists to\n distribute or solicit stories or advice<\/li>
      • strangers to a\n forum for discussing sports, political or other topics<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Is there\nanyone you would not want to see the site or page? Why?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Key consideration:\nAnswering this question honestly is critical. It can identify prime sources for\npossible legal action against you. It may also suggest what precautions you may\ntake, including the easiest action such as eliminating the reference to a\nperson, group or organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Does Your\nSite or Activity Create An Insurance Need?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        After\nexamining the key concerns about your Website, you should be prepared to take\nprecautions which may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        • adding security\n features to your Website<\/li>
        • changing the\n content<\/li>
        • adding waivers\n or disclaimers about links or certain pages that appear on your site<\/li>
        • adding user agreements\n to your site<\/li>
        • creating\n guidelines on maintaining current and future content at the site<\/li>
        • changing your\n homeowner coverage<\/li>
        • buying\n additional or special personal or business liability insurance<\/li>
        • adding or\n eliminating a guest book (if you have a guest book, pay close attention to\n what visitors say)<\/li>
        • eliminating the\n Website<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          Once\nyou’ve carefully examined your situation, a discussion with an insurance\nprofessional could be an excellent step to identify coverage needs which may\ninclude having to buy commercial coverage. The instant and widespread access\nrepresented by the Internet creates new perils for individuals. Don’t hesitate\nto seek the help of an insurance professional or even competent legal advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n\n\n\n

          COPYRIGHT: Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc. 2016<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

          All rights reserved. Production or distribution, whether in whole or in part, in any form of media or language; and no matter what country, state or territory, is expressly forbidden without the written consent of Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          Each day more people decide to create their own Websites, blogs or otherwise participate in social media activities. The reasons for having a Website or blog vary or other activities range from frivolity to earnestness. Personal Websites and blogs commonly describe the host, his or her family, and interests such as a particular hobby, sports, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,13],"tags":[162,653,1813,1442,1443,1812,1811,151,1806,1808,193,641,1439,1809,1810,1814,1815,1816,1817,1818,459,1451,1449,1807],"class_list":["post-1460","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-home-insurance","category-personal-insurance","tag-homeowners-insurance","tag-how-much-does-libel-insurance-cost","tag-how-much-does-slander-insurance-cost","tag-how-to-get-libel-insurance","tag-how-to-get-slander-insurance","tag-infringement","tag-invasion-of-privacy","tag-kentucky","tag-kentucky-homeowners-insurance-2","tag-kentucky-personal-umbrella-insurance","tag-liability-insurance","tag-libel","tag-libel-insurance","tag-online-libel","tag-online-slander","tag-property-infringement","tag-property-infringement-insurance","tag-protect-yourself-from-libel-claims","tag-protect-yourself-from-slander-claims","tag-protection-while-using-social-media","tag-slander","tag-slander-insurance","tag-social-media-insurance","tag-umbrella-insurance"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insuringky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1460","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insuringky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insuringky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insuringky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insuringky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1460"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.insuringky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1460\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1630,"href":"https:\/\/www.insuringky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1460\/revisions\/1630"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insuringky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1460"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insuringky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1460"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insuringky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1460"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}