I was tired of guessing. I went out and got actual quotes for a fictional YouTube channel with 100,000 subscribers, $150,000 in annual revenue, and a mix of studio and travel content. Here is exactly what it costs to protect your business in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- General Liability is Cheap: Basic slip-and-fall coverage is ~
25−25−40/month. - Media Liability is the Cost Driver: Protecting against lawsuits for copyright/defamation costs ~
50−50−100/month. - Equipment Coverage Varies: It costs about $1.50 per $100 of gear value.
- Total Package: Expect to pay between $800 and $1,500 per year for a comprehensive “Creator Shield.”
The “Why” (The Trap): Revenue Rating
Insurance is priced based on Revenue and Risk Class.
A channel making $50k pays less than one making $500k (because the $500k channel is a bigger target for lawsuits).
The Trap: Underestimating revenue to save money. If you project $50k and make $500k, the insurer can audit you and demand back-premiums, or deny a claim for “Material Misrepresentation.”
[IMAGE: Pie chart breakdown of the annual premium: 30% GL, 50% Media, 20% Gear]
The Investigation: Real Quotes (Est. 2026)
Profile: 100k Subs, $150k Revenue, Solo Creator.
1. The “Bare Minimum” (General Liability Only)
- Provider: Thimble / Next
- Cost: $350 / year
- Covers: Slips, falls, accidental damage to locations.
- Missing: Copyright, Gear, Cyber.
2. The “Smart Creator” (GL + Media + $10k Gear)
- Provider: Hiscox or Specialized Broker
- Cost: $1,100 / year
- Covers: The lawsuits that actually happen (IP, Libel) plus the camera bag.
3. The “Full Shield” (GL + Media + Cyber + $50k Gear + Workers Comp)
- Provider: Hartford / Travelers
- Cost: $2,400 / year
- Covers: Employees, hacking, major equipment loss.
Comparison Table
| Coverage Level | Monthly Cost | What you get |
| Bronze | ~$30/mo | Just enough to get a filming permit. |
| Silver | ~$90/mo | Recommended. Covers IP and Gear. |
| Gold | ~$200/mo | Full protection for LLCs with employees. |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Budget 1%: A good rule of thumb is to budget 1% of your Gross Revenue for insurance. If you make $100k, spend $1k.
- Bundle: Buying GL and Media from the same carrier (e.g., Hiscox) often saves 10%.
- Raise Deductibles: Raising your deductible from $500 to $2,500 can drop your premium by 20%. Only do this if you have $2,500 in savings.
- Quote Annually: The market changes. Shop your policy every renewal.
FAQ
Is it tax deductible?
Yes! 100% of business insurance premiums are tax-deductible expenses.
Does subscriber count matter?
Not directly. Revenue matters more. But higher subs = higher visibility = higher risk of defamation suits.
Can I pay monthly?
Yes, most carriers offer monthly billing with a small fee.