What is the term for publishing a malicious statement intended to harm an insurer's reputation?

The correct term for publishing a malicious statement intended to harm an insurer's reputation is defamation. Defamation encompasses both slander and libel, referring to false statements made about an individual or entity that can damage their reputation.

In the context of this question, libel specifically refers to defamation that occurs in a written or published format, while slander pertains to spoken defamation. Since the question specifies "publishing," which clearly indicates a written dissemination, defamation as a broader legal concept captures both libel and slander but is the overarching term relevant to the act described.

Fraud, on the other hand, involves deceiving someone for personal gain and is not related to damaging someone's reputation through false statements. Therefore, recognizing defamation as the relevant legal term provides a clearer understanding of how various forms of reputation harm can manifest in written or spoken communications.