Photographers/Videographers Insurance
Photographers use their artistic skill and tech know how to capture “moments” on film. On the surface, it may seem like a luxurious job, free of risks and dangers. But just like any other freelancer, contractor, or small business owner, a photographer’s day-in and day-out job is not without its risk. Among these include camera theft, photo theft, copyright infringement, and risk of injury due to lugging around heavy equipment. But don’t let these risks stop you from doing what you love, especially if you protect yourself with insurance for photographers.
Photographers General Liability Insurance
General liability insurance for photographers provides coverage in the event that one of your clients decides to bring suit against you either for property damage and personal injury, including medical costs. For instance, as a photographer you have equipment to lug around and set up. This can lead to an environment that is prone to both damage to a client’s property, as well as injury that without general liability insurance could result in hefty defense or medical costs.
Photographer Business Owners Insurance
Whether you are a newbie photographer or seasoned one, it’s essential to protect your equipment. After all, your camera and accessories are your livelihood — without them you can’t capture those precious memories via still photos or videos. That’s why business owners insurance is important. A typical business owners insurance policy, or BOP, combines property insurance and general liability. Not only is your studio covered under the property insurance component of a BOP package, but your photography equipment, office equipment, and furniture as well. What’s more, the general liability portion of a business owners insurance policy protects you from the risks of a judgment against you for allegations of negligence. It also includes damages, legal defenses costs, and situations where a client is injured in your studio.
Photographers Professional Liability Insurance
Dissatisfied clients and technology glitches (failed memory card, etc.) resulting in loss of photos are some of the unfortunate occurrences that can happen when you perform photography services for a client. If the event was a once-in-a-lifetime event, like a wedding, if you fail to deliver services as promised, you stand to have a client make a claim against you. However, professional liability insurance for photographers provides you with protection against mistakes and claims of negligence.
Professional liability insurance, also known as errors and omissions, protects you, the photographer, as well as any employees or subcontractors working on behalf of the business.
Photographers Inland Marine Insurance
Another type of insurance for photographers is inland marine insurance, which is designed to protect your photography equipment while in transit or while in storage. In the event that your photography equipment is damaged or stolen when in transit to a photo gig, an inland marine insurance policy would cover this loss.
Photographers Commercial Auto Insurance
If you travel by car, truck, or van to get to your photography setting, you’re putting your livelihood and yourself at risk if you don’t have commercial auto insurance for photographers. Examples of risks covered by commercial auto insurance includes vandalism and hail damage as well as property damage due to a vehicular accident.
Photographers Workers’ Compensation
Workers compensation insurance for photographers is mandated by law, although requirements vary according to the state. If you have employees working for you in your photography business, workers’ compensation insurance protects them against work-related injuries and illnesses. Additionally, workers’ compensation insurance provides protection for certain lost wages, medical, and rehabilitation expenses. For example, if one of your photographers develops back problems from carrying heavy equipment as part of his job duties and requires surgery, workers’ compensation insurance would cover not only the medical expenses, but lost wages for the surgery and recovery.
Looking through this viewfinder, you can see that insurance for photographers is critical to keep you business assets safe and protect you from financial loss. Keep yourself and your business protected against the hefty costs of lawsuits and liability risks by obtaining the perfect insurance package for your photography business.
