Photography Insurance

[Jason Hermann]

I was wondering if anybody had insurance for there photography business? I'm registering for a business now and I'm trying to figure out what kind of insurance I need to protect myself. Just in case somebody falls in my house or something at a portrait session for example. I don't want to get sued and loose my house, but I'm so small right now I don't plan on incorporating for a while yet.

Any thoughts or advice on this?

Thanks,
Jay

[jfrancho]

Talk to your agent. Get a lawyer and an accountant.

[edleg]

Absolutely get at least a $1,000,000 business liability policy.... cost $175-$300 a year.

[jfrancho]

Originally Posted by edleg

Absolutely get at least a $1,000,000 business liability policy.... cost $175-$300 a year.

Yep, absolutely. I don't recall it being even that much, but I had my aquarium business years ago, so rates may have climbed.

[Jacque]

Might be able to have it added on to your homeowners policy.

Hill & Usher specialize in insurance for photographers.

Definitely get some advice on what to get though. Not from us, but someone in the legal position to give advice in your state.

[UnivModels]

I have added insurance through my homeowner policy.

Occasionally when I shoot on location the property owner will require liability insurance - and my policy provides up to 1 million.

Haven't had any claims, but incase of a fire, or earthquake, it will provide additional coverage for equipment.

[jfrancho]

I have a rider on my homeowner's as well, that covers my drums and PA equipment, cameras, computers, and other electronics, and some jewelry. It wasn't expensive at all. Liability is a different deal, as was stated. $1 million seems to be the standard. Back when I fished in tournaments, boat owners were required to show proof of $1M liability coverage. All I can think of is Dr. Evil: "You must be covered for.... one MILLION dollars!"

[d2creative]

Does it vary by state?
I always heard that it was illegal to use your homeowner's insurance to cover your photo gear if you are using it for a business, rather than personal use. I have a Personal Articles Policy attached to my Allstate homeowner's insurance but my gear is mostly used for personal stuff.

[Jason Hermann]

Thanks for all the info!! I'm going to call the people I have my home owners insurance through and see what they can do for me

Best,
Jay

[Mark McCall]

Jay,
Kelly told me your thinking about coming to Texas for the Kerrville Summer Seminar.
If you can make it, it's the photographic equivalent to a resort vacation.

Cool speakers every day, BBQ cookout at night, vendors row (where the hotel turns the rooms facing the pool into a walk-n-shop photographic strip mall, music by the pool, a hospitality suite with free booze and food, print competition, awards banquet, and some of the best photographic education to be had.

I'm renting a conversion van for the drive down (about 7 hours from here). There's room if you care to tag along.

[Nikonfreak]

I did my renewal through State Farm. The liability was around $400 for $1,000,000 and equipment was something around the same for $25,000 equipment coverage. They'll want a list of equipment you have with the serial numbers and photographs of it. I'd say keep copies of receipts for certain high cost items.

Julio

[joshranwest]

In my mind insurance is a must-have for your photo studio no matter how big or small.

[INSOMNIAC269]

I wasn't able to add on to my homeowners insurance for my equipment, I don't know if it was the amount of insurance I needed or what. I got a policy through a company called Travelers Insurance Co. with them I was able to get 10,000 of insurance on my gear and liability insurance in case "someone trips over one of my cords" as they put it. I don't know exactly what the liability number is, and I'm too lazy to look, but I pay around 500. a year.

[happusa]

Travelers is the company that Hill & Usher use. My insurance is about $500 a year.

[Jason Hermann]

Thanks for all the comments and personal experience sharing I talked to my agebnt and it's about $500.00 a year to cover all my equipment. The people coverage can go under my home owners for like 30 dollors or something. Not bad at all IMO.

Mark, I certainly plan on going to the convention and thank you very much for the invite!! I'll probubly meet you guys down there as my Brother only lives a few hours away in Belton Texas. Kelly and I talked about the differnet seminars and it seems like a weath of knowelege will be gained without a doubt Good company and good fun is a huge bonus

Thanks again,

Jay

[Mark McCall]

Jay,
It's cheaper to attend the Kerrville Summer Seminar if you attend as a member of TPPA, rather than pay the non-member rate.

Check out all the info at Texas Professional Photographers. Click on Kerrville.
At last glance, they still had not updated the site with the 2008 Kerrville info yet.

[heartseye]

I paid photo insurance for over 30 years and never had a claim. But you have to do it, really......ever wonder why insurance buildings are bigger that churches nowadays...lol...Bob

[bobbyz]

Is it OK to have it as part of home owner's insurance? I would think having separate policy would be better. I have to get one also so just looking for more information.

[Jason Hermann]

Mark, I'll look into becoming a member There website is pretty nice! Thanks


Bob, same with the car. I never use it, but you have to have it

Bobby,
My guy told me that having a few people a month come in the house can be covered under the homeowners no problem. If I had lots of people per week then I would need to get a commercial policy he told me.

The equipment needs to go under a different policy, because iis being used for professional use he said. Personal use it can be covered under the homeowners though. A soon as you are charging for pics it becomes professional use and the computers/ camera gear is no longer under the home owners coverage.

Best,
Jay

[bobbyz]

Thanks Jason for your help.