Libel and Slander Claims on desk. At first glance, it looks like that would cover any comment an insured makes on social media. However, there are exclusions. Personal injury caused by, or at the direction of an insured, with knowledge of its falsity is excluded. (Credit: designer491/Shutterstock.com)

FC&S editor's note: This article is not an analysis of the strength of either Johnny Depp's or Amber Heard's case, nor is it a vignette against either. The matter is used for illustration purposes only.

The term "defamation" is getting a lot of press coverage these days. For example, a Virginia jury recently awarded actor Johnny Depp $15 million in his defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife, Amber Heard. But what exactly is defamation? How do you sue for it? And is it insurable?

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