Speaker Insurance

female business owner protected by speaker insurance

Show Up Confidently With Speaker Insurance

Your ability to captivate audiences and deliver a powerful message is what sets you apart as a public speaker, but you still could face challenges. Whether from equipment malfunctions or an accident during a presentation, having the right type of insurance can help protect you from costly claims.
 
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female business owner protected by speaker insurance

What Is Speaker Insurance?

Public speaker insurance is made up of different types of business insurance coverages to help protect you from various risks. It helps cover claims related to accidents, injuries or damages that could occur while you’re delivering presentations, workshops and seminars. Just like any small business, your speaking career involves unique challenges. With speaker insurance, you can feel confident knowing you’re better prepared for things like:
 
  • Personal injury
  • Property damage
  • Stolen equipment

Why Might You Need Speaker Insurance?

Public speaker insurance helps protect you from the unique risks you face as a speaker. Whether it’s a defamation claim that threatens your reputation or equipment failure that prevents you from presenting, these challenges could disrupt your livelihood. Without insurance, a single incident could be financially devastating. Speaker insurance can help safeguard you from settlements, damages, legal fees or repair and replacement costs.
female small business owners protected by public speaker insurance

Who May Need Speaker Insurance?

The Hartford designed its business insurance coverage options with public speakers in mind. Our coverage can help protect:
 
  • Professional keynote speakers
  • Motivational speakers
  • Corporate trainers
  • Panelists and seminar speakers
  • Event hosts and emcees

What Type of Insurance Do I Need as a Public Speaker?

Many public speakers have a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) as the foundation of their insurance plan for the peace of mind it can provide. It includes three types of coverage to help protect your business from various claims.

A BOP includes: 
 
General liability insurance to help protect you from claims that your business caused bodily injury or property damage to others. For example, if a guest trips over your equipment and hurts themselves, this coverage can help pay for their medical expenses.
 
Commercial property insurance to help protect your owned or rented office space, as well as the tools, equipment, inventory and supplies you use to operate your speaking business. These can include:
 
  • Microphones
  • Speakers
  • Projectors
  • Laptops
  • Video equipment
  • Stands and podiums
  • Lighting equipment
  • Travel gear
Business income insurance to help replace lost income if you can’t operate your business temporarily because of property damage caused by fire, theft or wind.
 
At The Hartford, we know that no two public speakers have the same needs or face the same risks. We’ve made it easy for you to add other types of insurance to your BOP for well-rounded protection, including: 
 
Get Coverage That Speaks Volumes
Stay better protected from the risks that come with public speaking, so you can focus on educating and inspiring others.
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How Much Does Speaker Insurance Cost?

Motivational speaker insurance costs vary because every business is unique. Some of the average costs The Hartford’s small business customers in this industry pay for common coverages are:**
 
  • BOP: $1,706 a year, or about $142 a month
  • Stand-alone general liability insurance: $476 a year, or about $40 a month
  • Workers’ compensation insurance: $562 a year, or $47 a month
It’s important to remember that the cost of your speaker insurance may be different than the average. That’s because every business owner has specific needs, and insurers may use several factors to determine rates. The best way to find out how much you’ll pay for insurance is to get a quote.
female small business owner happy to easily get insurance motivational speaker insurance

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Covering Your Operations

Your success depends on seamless presentations and well-executed events. But unexpected setbacks, like last-minute cancellations, technical failures or property damage, can throw your plans off track. The right insurance helps safeguard your business, so you can stay on schedule and keep inspiring audiences confidently. 
Slip and falls were the third-most common type of claims small business owners faced in 2025.1
general liability for speakers

General Liability Insurance

“While setting up for my talk, I accidentally dropped the venue’s digital projector and had to cover the cost for a replacement.”
 
General liability insurance helps cover claims that your business caused bodily injury or property damage to someone else.
business income insurance for speakers

Business Income Insurance

“I was scheduled to speak at a multi-day conference. But a few days before the start, someone broke into my storage unit. They took my microphones, computers and other equipment I needed for the talk. I had to cancel the event and return the appearance fee.”
 
Business income insurance can help you continue paying ongoing expenses like rent, payroll and utilities when your business is unable to operate temporarily due to covered property loss.

Taking Care of Your Team

From event coordinators to tech support, your workers play a key role in making your speaking engagements successful. Insurance can help support your business and team, so everyone can have peace of mind at work.
Slips, trips and falls resulted in more than 450,000 work injuries in 2022.2
workers compensation for speakers

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

“My event coordinator slipped on a wet floor in a venue and broke her leg. She needed time off to recover.”
 
Workers’ compensation insurance gives your team benefits to help them recover from work-related injuries or illnesses. It can help pay their medical bills and help replace lost wages. With The Hartford, your employees have access to more than 1 million providers and 65,000 pharmacies.
Professional Liability Insurance for speakers

Professional Liability Insurance

“I spoke at a conference recently and thought it went well. But I was shocked to learn that the organization that hired me was suing me for breach of contract.”
 
Professional liability insurance can help protect your business from claims that you made a mistake in the services given. It can help pay your legal costs, such as attorney fees, judgments or settlements.

Protecting Your Property

Your speaking business depends on essential tools, such as microphones, projectors, tablets and podiums. But theft, damage or unexpected mishaps can disrupt your events and impact your business. The right insurance helps safeguard your equipment and office space, so you can keep delivering your message without interruption.
75% of water damage losses are caused by a plumbing or HVAC system.3
commercial property insurance for speakers

Commercial Property Insurance

“A water leak in my office completely ruined our sound equipment. Microphones, speakers – everything needed to be replaced.”
 
Commercial property insurance helps protect your business' equipment, furniture and inventory from loss or damage caused by events like storms, fires, vandalism and leaky pipes.
lost computer coverage for speakers

Lost Computer Coverage

“The airline lost my laptop bag with all my presentation materials inside. I was about to go on stage, but suddenly I had nothing to work with.”
 
The Hartford offers lost computer coverage to help safeguard against physical loss or damage to your computers anywhere in the world, including while in transit.

Frequently Asked Questions About Speaker Insurance

Speaker insurance is made up of different coverages designed to help protect you from various risks. For example, if a guest at one of your events trips on AV wires or if you accidentally damage venue property during setup, general liability insurance can help cover the repair costs. You can also get commercial auto coverage to help protect you and your employees on the road if you’re using business-owned vehicles for work. Because every speaker faces unique challenges, you’ll likely need several coverages to give your business more comprehensive protection.
Speaker insurance is essential to help protect your business from costly liability claims, property damage and legal expenses that could threaten your career. Without coverage, you’d have to pay for claims out of pocket. Additionally, some states may require speakers to carry specific types of insurance to remain compliant. For example, most states require workers’ compensation insurance coverage if you have employees, or venues may require proof of liability insurance before you speak.
The best way to get public speaking insurance is to get a quote from The Hartford. We make it easy for you to get a fast and free insurance quote online.
female and male business owners happily work after getting speaker insurance quote

Help Protect Your Hard Work With Speaker Insurance

Get the protection you need to take the stage with confidence.
 
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Related Articles

 
 
Last Updated: February 25, 2026
 
1 The Hartford, “Water and Freezing Damage, Burglary Lead The Hartford’s Top Five Small Business Claims,” Viewed January 2025
 
2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Injuries, Illnesses and Fatalities,” Viewed March 2025
 
3 Risk & Insurance, "Water Damage Claims Continue To Drive Non-CAT Property Losses,” Viewed March 2025
** Costs, premiums, and coverages mentioned are estimates and are not guaranteed. Actual cost, premium, and coverage are determined at the time of quote or issue and are specific to an individual risk. Premiums are based on information provided to The Hartford, including, but not limited to, underwriting and rating criteria. All examples included on this website or in an advertisement are intended for informational purposes only and are not an offer or a guarantee of premium or coverage. Coverage and products described are subject to the terms and conditions found in the policy contract. Any educational information provided about available coverages does not modify the policy language or imply that any claim is covered. Products are not available in all states or for all businesses.
This page outlines in general terms the coverages that may be afforded under a policy from The Hartford. All policies must be examined carefully to determine suitability for your needs and to identify any exclusions, limitations or any other terms and conditions that may specifically affect coverage. In the event of a conflict, the terms and conditions of the policy prevail.
 
All Hartford coverages and services described on this page may be offered by one or more of the property and casualty insurance company subsidiaries of The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. In Arizona, California, New Hampshire, Texas, and Washington by Hartford Fire Insurance Company, Hartford Casualty Insurance Company, Hartford Accident & Indemnity Company, Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company, Twin City Fire Insurance Company, Pacific Insurance Company, Limited, Sentinel Insurance Company, LTD (CA license #8701), Hartford Lloyd's Insurance Company, Hartford Insurance Company of Illinois, Hartford Insurance Company of the Midwest, Trumbull Insurance Company, Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast, and Property & Casualty Insurance Company of Hartford and its property and casualty insurance company affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155.
 
Additional disclosures below.
The Hartford shall not be liable for any damages in connection with the use of any information provided on this page. Please consult with your insurance agent/broker or insurance company to determine specific coverage needs as this information is intended to be educational in nature.
 
The information contained on this page should not be construed as specific legal, HR, financial, or insurance advice and is not a guarantee of coverage. In the event of a loss or claim, coverage determinations will be subject to the policy language, and any potential claim payment will be determined following a claim investigation.
 
Certain coverages vary by state and may not be available to all businesses. All Hartford coverages and services described on this page may be offered by one or more of the property and casualty insurance company subsidiaries of The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. listed in the Legal Notice.
 
The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc., (NYSE: HIG) operates through its subsidiaries under the brand name, The Hartford, and is headquartered in Hartford, CT. For additional details, please read The Hartford’s Legal Notice.
 
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