INSURANCE and Photography - some basics

I contribute to a photography forum and people are always asking questions about insurance requirements for photographers so I posted a helpful article, however the problem (if problem it be) with the particular forum I visit is it's popularity - with 1000 posts per day any one post quicky moves down and drops off the list!

Therefore,I have decided to reproduce my article here as a general guide to assist anyone who may be confused about insurance matters relating to photography.

INSURANCE and Photography - some basics
(originally posted on the TP forum)

There's been a few threads recently about the confusing issue of INSURANCE - do you need it and if so, what type(s) exactly? So I thought a few basic pointers would be in order.
I emphasise - these are only BASIC GUIDELINES!

I worked in Insurance for nearly 25 years both as an Insurance Broker and as a Commercial Insurance Underwriter for one of the UK's 'Top 5' Insurance Companies.

BEFORE deciding what covers you need you must first answer this question - DO YOU CHARGE FOR YOUR PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICES?

If you DO NOT then most likely your Household Insurance Policy will provide all the cover you need. READ IT!

Things to consider are:

Do you have Theft and Accidental Damage cover away from your premises? The answer should be YES or you're taking a great risk with your equipment everytime you go out.

Is there a Single Article Limit (SAL) on your policy for your camera gear or just an overall limit? Is this limit enough?

Do you have Theft/AD cover from unattended vehicles? Is the SAL enough?

What basis is your policy cover? Is it 'New for Old'?

Always, always, ALWAYS check that your Sum Insured (and any SAL) is adequate!

Your Household cover should provide you with Public Liability cover (minimum £2Million Limit of Indemnity)

If your policy doesn't give you the above or you are not sure please talk to an Insurance Broker.


~~If you do not charge for your services you do not need to read further. If you DO charge, read on... ~~


For PROFESSIONAL photographers (and that means anyone who charges a fee for their services) you should consider the following:

EMPLOYER'S LIABILITY - THIS IS A LEGAL REQUIREMENT IF YOU EMPLOY ANYONE! Seek advice.

PUBLIC LIABILITY - not a LEGAL requirement (but, to my mind, SHOULD BE!)
Covers you up to the Limit of Indemnity (LoI) against bodily injury you may cause to third parties (other people) and material damage you may cause to third party property.
What LoI do you need? I doubt any legit company offers less than £2Million these days but you may require higher! Some councils require you to have £5M or £10M for instance.
(Imagine if a faulty lighting cable burnt down a hotel or if a pro footballer tripped over your tripod and broke his leg - how much do you think that would cost?)

THEFT and ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE covers - no legal requirement but can you afford to lose/break your gear? Consider the basis of cover and limits as above. Make sure that your Sum Insured is adequate.
Consider also Theft from unattended vehicles.

OTHER covers you may like/deem necessary to have are:

PERSONAL ACCIDENT - provides you with a lump sum if YOU (or named person) permanently lose the use of a limb and/or a weekly sum if you temporarily do so.

PERSONAL ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS - as above but includes sickness!

Why do you need PA or PA+S cover? Well, if you're self-employed and unable to work where will your money come from? If an employee is unable to work are you contracted to still pay him/her? Or will you need to take on temporary staff to maintain business as usual?

BUSINESS INTERRUPTION COVER. If you can't work because your gear has been lost, stolen or damaged you will lose revenue.

PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY COVER. There has beem much confusion over this one - possibly due to that word 'Professional'!
This cover is for persons giving professional advice for a fee (Lawyers, Accountants, Consultants, Insurance Brokers, etc)
As a photographer you DO NOT require this cover! You are a providing a service not advice.


These are only some basic guidelines. If in doubt always seek professional advice - check your Yellow Pages for Insurance Brokers and make sure they are qualified British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


There was one area that I did not cover in my original post but which came up in discussion and should be noted here...

... MOTOR INSURANCE!

If you are an amateur photographer your Motor policy covers you for personal/pleasure use but if you are a semi-pro photographer (even if it's only a 'ONE-OFF' job) you need to let your Insurance Company know otherwise they could invalidate your policy and driving without insurance is a CRIME!


There, I think that's it, all the basics! Does that help?

Happy Snapping!

A NEW SERVICE for 2008 - GUIDED PHOTOGRAPHIC DAYS!

A bit of shameless self-promotion coming up (sorry!)...

Yes folks, I have decided to offer GUIDED PHOTOGRAPHIC DAYS!

Why? Well, the latter part of 2007 and early part of 2008 was a very odd time for me - quite 'out of the blue' I received a number of requests to take people out on guided photographic trips. I was taken aback at first and I turned down a couple of enquiries due to other commitments but I did a couple of trips and I really enjoyed it! So did my 'clients'.

So this year I have decided to offer the opportunity!.

Why me? As a photographer of many years and as a member of two RPS Groups and former editor of a RPS magazine I have seem many, many great photographic images and I'm used to providing constructive criticism and advice - so why not me?

Also, I have the advantage of living and working in the beautiful Cornish countryside.

2008 Guided Photographic Days!

Are you a photographic newbie?
Or a competent photographer who wishes to improve?
Maybe you think your photographs are good (or not so good) and would like someone to give you an honest, informed opinion?
Do you have difficulty seeing the photographic potential in a scene?
Perhaps you are a holidaymaker to Cornwall who just doesn't know where to take your camera?

HELLO! I can help.

Photography is my passion and my profession. I'm here!

The basic services I will be providing are:

Assessment and Critique of your current work.
Help and Advice on how to...
... improve your current standard.
... see the potential in a scene.
... frame and focus for best effect.
A jolly good day out taking photographs with someone who does it for a living.
Trips tailored to suit you.

Interested? Then just get in touch to discuss your requirements.

PS. Do you have a loved one who would enjoy a day out like this? What a wondeful gift!