Photography is an exciting career, but it does not come without risks. Photography is not a high-risk profession, like stock trading, home repair, or computer programming. However, photography is art, and just like any other art form, it can be susceptible to legal risks and business risks. One of the most common areas where photography is exposed to legal and business risk is for photographers failing to adequately protect themselves from liability claims. A typical claim scenario for a photographer could be that a customer breaks their camera in their studios, or that a model creates a bad image while using a camera, or that the client exhibits behavior that is considered harmful or inappropriate in front of other customers.
Many photographers fall into the category of business owners who need general liability insurance for photographers. The minimum requirement for an insurance policy for a photography business is the sum of coverage that a policy will offer over the course of a year, usually a year per occurrence. Aggregate maximum limits of such coverage can vary per company, but on average, all standard general liability insurance for photographers would range between $2 million and several millions annually. While insurance policies are most often required when taking photographs for commercial purposes, they can also be required when shooting a personal video in someone's home.
Typical incidents that might require coverage would be for negligence, breach of contract, breach of warranty, product defects, public nuisance, and bodily injury. Most of these situations happen with regularity. For example, a homeowner might accidentally trip and fall on a stained carpet in their home. Regular maintenance of the carpets would prevent such a tragedy from occurring and would therefore make homeowners liable for negligence damages.
Professional photographers would similarly have their own unique set of circumstances that might require insurance coverage. Injuries that occur on-site or while traveling away from the studio are typical examples. Reputable companies that provide coverage for professional photographers should have no problem providing coverage when photographers set their personal cameras down and lose them, or their equipment is damaged while being transported to and from the studio. The same is true for loss while traveling to and from shoots.
Another common scenario that could see photographers outside of their home would be a flood. Professional photographers may be on location for a portrait shoot when water jumps in with devastating force. This is particularly common with natural disasters, such as flooding due to rain or a hurricane. Floods can cause extensive damage to the studios and photography equipment, and many insurance companies offer coverage for damages that occur during floods.
One other common scenario that could see the photographers subject to a photography insurance cost is advertising injury claims. If a client who had purchased a product clicks an ad in a magazine about a specific product and suffers an injury as a result, advertising injury claims could be pursued. While it isn't likely that every client who clicks an ad will experience an accident, it is possible that the client's attorney will file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the product if it is found defective.
It's likely that most photographers won't face a liability case every year, but it's also likely that some will. With that being said, knowing what to look for when shopping for the best coverage is essential. A good way to stay within your budget is to comparison shop. By researching various coverage plans and seeing which ones provide the most protection at a rate that is affordable is a great way to keep costs low, and keep yourself protected.
There are many times when a camera insurance program is not only recommended, it's required. With that being said, photographers should be aware of the risks that are common when taking photos and make sure that they take all the appropriate precautions to protect themselves. For example, taking pictures in areas where there are wild animals or other dangerous animals can pose serious risks to the photographer. Some photographers will even use extra protective gear such as lead protection for their camera or even get a helmet to wear in extreme situations. It's always wise to be safe, and taking care to avoid unnecessary risks. After all, if you're in business, then you need to protect yourself and your business from any unforeseen problems.
Many photographers fall into the category of business owners who need general liability insurance for photographers. The minimum requirement for an insurance policy for a photography business is the sum of coverage that a policy will offer over the course of a year, usually a year per occurrence. Aggregate maximum limits of such coverage can vary per company, but on average, all standard general liability insurance for photographers would range between $2 million and several millions annually. While insurance policies are most often required when taking photographs for commercial purposes, they can also be required when shooting a personal video in someone's home.
Typical incidents that might require coverage would be for negligence, breach of contract, breach of warranty, product defects, public nuisance, and bodily injury. Most of these situations happen with regularity. For example, a homeowner might accidentally trip and fall on a stained carpet in their home. Regular maintenance of the carpets would prevent such a tragedy from occurring and would therefore make homeowners liable for negligence damages.
Professional photographers would similarly have their own unique set of circumstances that might require insurance coverage. Injuries that occur on-site or while traveling away from the studio are typical examples. Reputable companies that provide coverage for professional photographers should have no problem providing coverage when photographers set their personal cameras down and lose them, or their equipment is damaged while being transported to and from the studio. The same is true for loss while traveling to and from shoots.
Another common scenario that could see photographers outside of their home would be a flood. Professional photographers may be on location for a portrait shoot when water jumps in with devastating force. This is particularly common with natural disasters, such as flooding due to rain or a hurricane. Floods can cause extensive damage to the studios and photography equipment, and many insurance companies offer coverage for damages that occur during floods.
One other common scenario that could see the photographers subject to a photography insurance cost is advertising injury claims. If a client who had purchased a product clicks an ad in a magazine about a specific product and suffers an injury as a result, advertising injury claims could be pursued. While it isn't likely that every client who clicks an ad will experience an accident, it is possible that the client's attorney will file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the product if it is found defective.
It's likely that most photographers won't face a liability case every year, but it's also likely that some will. With that being said, knowing what to look for when shopping for the best coverage is essential. A good way to stay within your budget is to comparison shop. By researching various coverage plans and seeing which ones provide the most protection at a rate that is affordable is a great way to keep costs low, and keep yourself protected.
There are many times when a camera insurance program is not only recommended, it's required. With that being said, photographers should be aware of the risks that are common when taking photos and make sure that they take all the appropriate precautions to protect themselves. For example, taking pictures in areas where there are wild animals or other dangerous animals can pose serious risks to the photographer. Some photographers will even use extra protective gear such as lead protection for their camera or even get a helmet to wear in extreme situations. It's always wise to be safe, and taking care to avoid unnecessary risks. After all, if you're in business, then you need to protect yourself and your business from any unforeseen problems.
