Do photographers need business insurance?

A photographer’s job is demanding. Your work locations vary, as do your clients and staff. As the showrunner you have a lot to juggle, and sometimes things can get hectic. You have people depending on you, clients to please, and deadlines to meet– which is exactly why you should have business insurance.

What kinds of insurance are best for photographers?

There are many great coverages for your industry. Three primary policies include general liability, professional liability, and workers’ compensation insurance.

Professional liability for photographers

Insurance can oftentimes be confusing. This policy, however, is pretty clear. Professional liability insurance protects you against an unhappy client. Yep, that’s right. Even if a poor outcome is out of your control, you could still be held liable and potentially face a lawsuit.

Professional liability benefits include:

  • Professional errors: You’re photographing a wedding, and it’s time to capture the first kiss. Your camera is on the wrong setting. The key moment’s photos are overexposed and can’t be used.
  • Failure to deliver promised services: You finish a job for a large client, and upload all of your photos on an external hard drive. The hard drive is faulty, and you lose all of your work.
  • Negligent services: Your client claims your work is below the industry standard.
  • Court costs and legal fees are also covered, should you face a lawsuit.

General liability for photographers

General liability insurance is a broad policy designed to protect you from the many risks that come with running a business. It’s especially beneficial to those who interact with clients or the public in person.

Because photographers typically interact with clients, staff, and subjects in person, this coverage is a must-have. Plus, the amount of equipment and gear you handle can always pose liabilities.

Policy benefits include:

  • Bodily injury: If someone trips over your equipment and fractures their wrists, their medical costs will be covered.
  • Property damage: Your light kit falls and smashes the expensive art and pottery you’re shooting for a museum. General liability can pay for repairs and replacement costs.
  • Personal/advertising injury: This covers claims like slander, libel, false advertising, and copyright infringement.
  • If you face a lawsuit, court costs and legal fees are covered.

Workers’ compensation insurance

Photographers should absolutely consider workers’ comp. This policy protects you and your employees should someone get hurt or sick on the job. Working on a set is completely different than working in a cubicle– you’re moving things, adjusting elements, and always running around. With that, comes risk.

Workers’ comp benefits are as follows:

  • Medical costs incurred due to illness or injury
  • Return to work and recovery services
  • Reimbursements for lost wages
  • Employers liability coverage, should you face an employee lawsuit

What other kinds of insurance are good for photographers?

Because you are always on the go, and taking your gear with you, there are a few more kinds of insurance we recommend.

  • Business property: Without your gear, you can’t do your job. Business property insurance protects your cameras, lenses, lights, and other commercial property. Note: If you keep your work items at home and think they are covered under your homeowners policy, don’t get too comfy. That policy will typically only cover up to $500 in business property damages.
  • Inland marine: Unless you have your own studio, you’re taking your commercial property with you to meetings and shoots. After you are 500 feet away from your business premises, your business property insurance ends. To protect your gear in transit, inland marine is a safe bet.
  • Business auto: This policy covers vehicles owned by your business.
  • Hired & non-owned: This protects your company against accidents involving vehicles you hire, rent, or borrow for work. It also covers your company against employee accidents while using their personal vehicle on behalf of your business.

Want more coverage for less?

Check out a business owner’s policy. It combines general liability insurance and business property insurance into one package policy. You get more protection, and at a price lower than purchasing each of the policies separately.

Interested in learning more? Talk to an agent or get a quote.