Executive Summary: The Betterley Report’s Intellectual Property and Media Liability Market Survey-April 2025

The IP Insurance Market Is Shrinking, but the Risk Is Growing

As the value of intellectual property grows, the options to insure it continue to shrink. The latest issue of The Betterley Report explores the strange disconnect between companies’ escalating IP exposures and the limited IP insurance market. Patent infringement coverage remains niche, hard to obtain, and often has limited available limits. This report reveals that the exposure for companies, especially small and midsize ones, is immense.

On the other hand, media liability coverage continues to expand, both in availability and relevance. This growth of media insurance tracks the increasing exposures faced by companies, as content creation becomes part of nearly every business. Even non-media businesses—those active on social media or publishing content online—are increasingly being pulled into the media risk landscape. Media liability is evolving into a must-have coverage.

This issue dives deep into both lines, with 67 pages comparing product terms, limits, exclusions, and claims handling practices. Here are some key insights from this year’s report:

• Media liability policies are expanding to cover influencers, SaaS firms, and marketers.
• Overlap between media, cyber, and tech E&O is increasing, with some carriers offering bundled solutions.
• Patent coverage remains difficult to place, with limited capacity and narrow distribution.

Whether you’re advising clients on new risks or evaluating your own coverage, this is your essential guide to navigating two evolving coverage lines.

All specialty lines insurance professionals should read the report today to master the intellectual property and media liability markets! You can read a sample portion of the executive summary in PDF form below and order the full report here.

PLUS Summary – Intellectual Property and Media Liability Market Survey (April 2025)

Meet the Author

Richard S. Betterley, LIA, is the president of Betterley Risk Consultants (BRC), an independent insurance and alternative risk management consulting firm. BRC, founded in 1932, provides independent advice and counsel on matters important to the commercial property and casualty insurance industry and its customers, alternatives to traditional insurance, and related services throughout the United States. It does not sell insurance or related services. Mr. Betterley is a frequent speaker, author, and expert witness on specialty insurance products and related services. He is a member of the Professional Liability Underwriting Society.