Slander vs. Libel

Both are forms of defamation, a false statement that harms someone's reputation, but they differ in form. Slander is spoken (or otherwise transient, like a live broadcast), while libel is written or published in a fixed form, such as an email, review response, or social media post. Courts sometimes treat libel as more serious since it has a lasting, reproducible record, but both are covered under the same personal and advertising injury provision.

How a Business Ends Up With a Slander Claim

• An employee makes a false verbal statement about a competitor to a customer
• A manager gives a negative, factually false reference about a former employee
• A staff member verbally accuses a customer of a crime, such as shoplifting, without basis

Why It Matters

Slander claims are easy to underestimate because they don't involve physical harm, but defending a defamation lawsuit, true or not, requires legal counsel and can take months to resolve. Without personal and advertising injury coverage, a business would pay those legal costs entirely out of pocket even if the claim is eventually dismissed.