I'm looking at putting remotes in some stadiums in places where the venue will require liability insurance. Does anyone have any liability insurance companies they use that offer good rates? I cant seem to find any that offer just professional liability insurance for a sole proprietor photographer. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Interesting that you've already been climbing around in catwalks and sitting along baselines shooting yet you have no liability? Wow! You're a brave person. Personally, I wouldn't snap a single frame in those situations without coverage.
You can't find anyone who offers the insurance you're looking for? Sorry, but it makes me wonder if you have actually looked. Where have you looked for insurance? Do you have car insurance? Homeowners or renters insurance? In short, do you already have an insurance agent you're using for any kind of insurance? Have they not been able to help you. It really isn't difficult to start find insurance agents...they advertise as much as just about any (non-retail) business you'll find!
I have my liability and gear insured through State Farm (the same agent I use for homeowners, but a totally separate policy) and have $25k worth of gear covered and $2 million in liability for less than $500/year.
Scott, I have looked. I saw Hill and Usher but couldn't find out if they just offered Liability insurance. All my other insurance is through USAA and when I asked the person they said they don't have specific liability insurance. As my insurance company doesn't provide liability only insurance I wasn't sure if other major companies were the same day.
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I'm going to take a look at the options and get some. And yes Scott, I've been shooting with no liability as I am a school employee and it is school grounds (all DU arenas and fields are owned and operated by the University) I am covered by the school's liability insurance, however I will soon start to shoot at away games and will need insurance for being off campus in those situations.
Do a search for Wedding photographers insurance, Several will be for Wedding DJ and others associations. They have member only liability available without equipment coverage as part of a group plan. Usually it covers more than weddings but some kinds of music events are not covered.
Depending on what kind of work you do I would investigate the $500 per year policies before signing on. There are reasons why there is a three or four time price difference in policies. It is helpful to have an agent familiar with the photo bizness (like Tom C Pickard or other recommneded by APA PPA or ASMP) rather than the guy does homeowners, renter, car and boat coverage. If I need a COI or POI for a project and I need it TODAY! will they be able to deliver? Do they understand the finer points of your business?
I moved from a regular accountant to a guy who knows photographers, production companies and graphic designers. It was a smart move...my attorney, while not a specialist in photo/creative business is learning more about it all the time and will be some time soon.
Micky Bill wrote:
If I need a COI or POI for a project and I need it TODAY! will they be able to deliver?
As a matter of fact mine can. We use the Hartford. But even if they couldn't I would not pay another thousand or so dollars per year for something like that.
This question comes up over and over as if there needs to be some special category for photography insurance. There is nothing terribly mysterious or exotic about it. In fact is probably much less complex than say a policy for a construction company.
Make sure your agent knows you need coverage for your business and that your equipment is used for business purposes so they know what you need. Read the policy before signing it and you are good to go.
Marty Bingham wrote:
This question comes up over and over as if there needs to be some special category for photography insurance. There is nothing terribly mysterious or exotic about it. In fact is probably much less complex than say a policy for a construction company.
Make sure your agent knows you need coverage for your business and that your equipment is used for business purposes so they know what you need. Read the policy before signing it and you are good to go.
Good luck,
Marty
Exactly. The key word was even highlighted by Marty...business. Just because my particular agent also does home, auto, etc., doesn't mean she can't also do business insurance.
The fact is--and what is rarely mentioned when people recommend the so-called photo insurance companies like Pickard or Hill--not every insurance company can write business in every state. Either way, Marty summed it up nicely...find an agent who can write business insurance, read the policy carefully, ask questions, and be covered.
Scott Sewell wrote:
Exactly. The key word was even highlighted by Marty...business. Just because my particular agent also does home, auto, etc., doesn't mean she can't also do business insurance.
The fact is--and what is rarely mentioned when people recommend the so-called photo insurance companies like Pickard or Hill--not every insurance company can write business in every state. Either way, Marty summed it up nicely...find an agent who can write business insurance, read the policy carefully, ask questions, and be covered.
Yes most photographers have a pretty simple business, when I started my studio I had a business policy with the guy who insured my car and home. After having to explain the details of my photography business to him a few too many times (he'd never insured any kind of photograhy business) I decided it would be better to have someone who was targeting photographers as my agent. They were up on things that mattered to me and paid attention to advances or cases regarding photographers. I wasn't always 'educating' them, so when I asked a question, it wasn't the first time they heard it. Whatever works, I haven't had a claim in 20 years, and I have been with 3 different companies .
Micky Bill wrote:
Depending on what kind of work you do I would investigate the $500 per year policies before signing on. There are reasons why there is a three or four time price difference in policies. It is helpful to have an agent familiar with the photo bizness (like Tom C Pickard or other recommneded by APA PPA or ASMP) rather than the guy does homeowners, renter, car and boat coverage. If I need a COI or POI for a project and I need it TODAY! will they be able to deliver? Do they understand the finer points of your business?
I moved from a regular accountant to a guy who knows photographers, production companies and graphic designers. It was a smart move...my attorney, while not a specialist in photo/creative business is learning more about it all the time and will be some time soon....Show more →
Ditto. Nothing more to add. I would NOT have a State Farm policy or similar.
As has been mentioned before, make sure your policy is different from your homeowners, even if you are a home worker, even if it is with the big boys. I had one of the special photographer package policies with Hartford (via Hill & Usher), and they cancelled my policy renewal after only ONE claim. They were great to work with and paid off fine, they just basically said that I was only allowed one claim and no more.
Not only is that short sighted, it is misleading and does a disservice to anyone considering getting insurance. Asking the insurance question on this froum is often the first step some people take when they start thinking about getting coverage. Why make it appear more complicated or expensive than it really is? You could discourage them to the point that they give up before they start.
I would NOT have a State Farm policy or similar.
Really? Mr. Ernst went to Hill & Usher who then farmed it out to The Hartsford, which is where we have ours. Our liability coverage is well under $500.00 for two million in coverage. Why would I want to pay Hill & Usher to hook that deal up for me?
As far as educating my insurance agency, it took five minutes and went like this..........I have photography business. We make about xxx$ per year and we have xxx$ worth of equipment. If my strobes fall on somebody's head or my equipment is damaged or stolen I'll call you. But they probably weren't listening too hard past the key words photography and business because they have experts who calculate the risks and set the pricing on each type policy.
I would just like to say to anyone thinking about getting insurance, please think for yourself. Don't be overwhelmed by what should be a simple, inexpensive task. Talk to your current agent and get some insurance before you do anything else. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by how quick and painless it can be.
For most people it will be easy and a basic policy will work out well. If you shoot weddings or portraits your needs will be different than if you shoot prototype vehicles for the auto industry, or super models juggling knives. It all depends on you and your business and your agent. I may have different needs than you, you may have different needs than me. I am glad that you could explain everything about your business in two sentences to your agent. Either I'm dense or my agent is but it took many rounds of explanation to get what I felt I needed, i felt more secure thinking that the agent knew my business.
