What is personal offense coverage for homeowners?

Most homeowners carry insurance to help protect their home and belongings. But there’s another kind of risk that can be easy to overlook: claims that you harmed someone’s reputation or violated certain personal rights.

That’s where personal offense coverage—also known as personal injury coverage—can help.

Available as an endorsement on a homeowners insurance policy, personal offense coverage may help protect you financially if you’re found legally responsible for certain personal offenses, such as libel, slander, or wrongful eviction.

If you’re wondering what it covers, what it doesn’t, and whether it may be worth adding to your policy, here’s a closer look.

Does homeowners insurance include personal offense coverage?

No. Personal offense coverage is typically added to a homeowners policy through a personal injury endorsement. It’s designed to help protect you against certain claims that generally aren’t covered by standard homeowners insurance.

This coverage is often confused with bodily injury or personal liability insurance, but they’re not the same. While personal liability coverage may help protect you if you’re legally responsible for bodily injury or property damage to others, personal offense coverage may help with certain nonphysical claims involving someone else’s reputation, rights, or privacy.

Depending on your policy and state, covered offenses may include:

• Libel
• Slander
• False arrest, detention, or imprisonment
• Malicious prosecution
• Wrongful eviction
• Wrongful entry
• Defense costs for covered claims, subject to policy terms

Talk with your American Family Insurance agent to understand what may be available with your homeowners policy.

How is personal offense coverage different from personal liability coverage?

This is a common question.

Personal liability coverage generally may help protect you if you’re legally responsible for bodily injury or property damage to others.

Personal offense coverage, on the other hand, may help with certain nonphysical claims, such as defamation or wrongful eviction, if covered by your policy.

For example, if a guest slips on your walkway and is injured, personal liability coverage may apply. But if someone claims you made a defamatory statement that damaged their reputation, personal offense coverage could help protect you.

What does a personal injury endorsement typically cover?

A personal injury endorsement may help cover claims related to certain personal offenses named in your policy.

Here are a few examples:

Defamation claims, including libel and slander

If someone alleges that something you wrote or said harmed their reputation, this coverage may help with defense costs or covered damages.

False arrest or false imprisonment

If you’re accused of wrongfully detaining someone or causing them to be detained, a covered endorsement may help.

Wrongful eviction or wrongful entry

If you rent part of your home, such as a basement apartment or guest house, and a tenant claims you entered improperly or forced them out unfairly, this coverage may help with eligible legal costs.

Malicious prosecution

If someone claims you wrongfully initiated legal action against them, personal offense coverage may apply if the loss is covered under your policy.

Why homeowners may want to consider personal offense coverage

Today, everyday interactions can create unexpected risks. Social media posts, online reviews, neighborhood disputes, and landlord-tenant situations can all lead to allegations that may result in expensive legal defense costs.

For example, imagine:

• You post a comment online and someone claims it was defamatory.
• A disagreement with a tenant leads to an accusation of wrongful entry.
• A personal conflict escalates into a legal claim involving false arrest or malicious prosecution.

Even if a claim is unfounded, defending yourself can be costly. Adding personal offense coverage may provide valuable financial protection and added peace of mind.

What personal offense insurance may not cover

Like other insurance coverages, personal offense coverage comes with exclusions and limitations.

In general, coverage may not apply if:

• The act was intentional or knowingly wrongful
• The act was illegal
• The claim falls outside the offenses specifically listed in the endorsement
• An exclusion or limitation applies under the policy

Because coverage details can vary, it’s important to review your policy language carefully and speak with your agent about what is and isn’t covered.

How much does personal offense insurance cost?

The cost of adding a personal injury endorsement varies based on your policy, location, and other factors. Your agent can help you understand available options and how they may affect your premium.

Is personal offense coverage right for you?

If you want broader protection against certain lawsuits involving defamation, wrongful entry, or similar claims, personal offense coverage may be worth discussing with your agent.

To review your homeowners coverage options and discuss whether a personal injury endorsement makes sense for your situation, contact your American Family Insurance agent.

You can also log in to My Account or download the MyAmFam app to view your policy info, file and track claims, pay bills, and much more—any time, anywhere.

(Opens in a new tab)   (Opens in a new tab)

This information represents only a brief description of coverages, is not part of your policy, and is not a promise or guarantee of coverage. If there is any conflict between this information and your policy, the provisions of the policy will prevail. Insurance policy terms and conditions may apply. Exclusions may apply to policies, endorsements, or riders. Coverage may vary by state and may be subject to change. Some products are not available in every state. Please read your policy and contact your agent for assistance.

This article is for informational purposes only and based on information that is widely available. This information does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or financial advice. You should contact a professional for advice specific to your situation.