Insurance for Court Reporters

What underwriters look at

A court reporter's entire job is producing an accurate, reliable record, which means the exposure in this profession is concentrated almost entirely around transcript accuracy and availability. A missing or corrupted stenographic file from a deposition or trial can force parties to redo testimony at significant cost, and an attorney relying on the transcript for an appeal or a settlement negotiation can suffer real harm if the record turns out to be incomplete or inaccurate.

Equipment failure is a recurring practical risk. Stenography machines, audio backup recorders, and laptops can fail mid-proceeding, and if no adequate backup exists, the resulting gap in the record can trigger a claim from the attorneys or parties who depended on that testimony being preserved. Freelance reporters who travel to depositions, arbitrations, and courtrooms across multiple firms and case types face this exposure repeatedly, often with no in-house IT support to fall back on.

Confidentiality is another significant concern, since court reporters routinely handle sensitive testimony involving medical records, trade secrets, and personal information disclosed under oath. A reporter who improperly stores, transmits, or discloses transcript files can face a claim separate from any transcription accuracy issue. Reporting agencies that place freelancers on assignment also carry exposure for the work product of every reporter under contract, making professional liability coverage a standard requirement in most placement agreements.