Liability Insurance question

chicodawg · March 19, 2007

Hello All!

I just read several threads regarding equipment insurance. I am contacting State Farm about that.

But, what about liability coverage? Let's say I'm photographing at an event, or home, or on the beach, and someone trips on my light stand or something else happens as a result of my being there... how do you get coverage for that? :dunno

I figured I would ask the experts here.

Thanks!
Mike

greenpea · March 19, 2007

As for liability insurance and event photography...

I photographed a ski race this weekend, and the ski area required me to have $2 million in liability coverage. I did a little looking around online and found something that suggested that liability coverage starts at 0.5% of the policy (that's $10K!!!). Luckily I knew the event coordinator who made me a temporary employee so that I could work under his coverage.

From what I learned from my thread asking a smilar question (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=54715) was that requiring liability insurance is not the norm.

However, if you are ever photographing an event, I'm sure the coordinator of the event will let you know right away if you need liability coverage. I can tell you that you will need it if photographing an event at a ski area.

chicodawg · March 20, 2007

$10k? Ouch. Good thing you had a work-around (temp employee).

So what about liability in a person's home, or on-location at a beach or park setting.

If someone tripped on equipment - or otherwise got hurt... unlikely, but it could happen.

Or in a home, if my lightstand fell and broke something or messed up the electric panel (examples only!), I would be liable, right?

Ok, I'm reading the link you posted regarding the other topic. I thought I did a thorough search.

Thanks!
Mike

greenpea · March 20, 2007

I suppose there is always a danger of injuring someone and getting sued, so with that said, I would also be interested in finding out if there are any pros who have liability insurance.

Since it is required to photograph events local ski areas I will probably pursue trying to find liability insurance for myself, because I can't rely on temp-employee status all the time. If I do find something reasonable, I will report back here.

Shay Stephens · March 20, 2007

Check out:
Hill & Usher Insurance.
http://www.packagechoice.com/
http://www.hillusher.com/

photodoug · March 20, 2007

speak to your insurance professional about "excess liability insurance"...affordable. Usually require you purchase HO or Auto to qualify for it.

Phyxius · March 20, 2007

I talked to an All State insurance agent today, mostly about my truck. Their price is about $220 cheaper every 6months that I currently have from State Farm with no accidents or tickets in the 9 years I've been driving.

ANYWAY, that's not the point. So, while I was talking to her I asked about insuring my camera, laptop and assorted other gear. She said at first that it was under the home owners, but when I asked about being considered "professional" because I sell, she said that "yes" I'd have to be considered professoinal and that I'd need a seperate policy.

So, for $10k worth of gear including camera, lenses, computer, flashes etc. the cost is $320 a year with a $250 deductible. This also includes a MD state required minimum $300,000 liability.

urbanaries · March 21, 2007

Phyxius wrote:

I talked to an All State insurance agent today, mostly about my truck. Their price is about $220 cheaper every 6months that I currently have from State Farm with no accidents or tickets in the 9 years I've been driving.

ANYWAY, that's not the point. So, while I was talking to her I asked about insuring my camera, laptop and assorted other gear. She said at first that it was under the home owners, but when I asked about being considered "professional" because I sell, she said that "yes" I'd have to be considered professoinal and that I'd need a seperate policy.

So, for $10k worth of gear including camera, lenses, computer, flashes etc. the cost is $320 a year with a $250 deductible. This also includes a MD state required minimum $300,000 liability.

very helpful post Phyxius!

I'm curious, what were the criteria for being considered "professional"? I always thought you had to be incorporated in order to take out business liability insurance?

Marc Muench · March 21, 2007

urbanaries wrote:

very helpful post Phyxius!

I'm curious, what were the criteria for being considered "professional"? I always thought you had to be incorporated in order to take out business liability insurance?

For very good liability insurance policies I recommend becoming a member of ASMP, American Society of Magazine Photographers. They do require proof of tear sheats and published works plus a membership fee to join but it also entitles you to many other benies! I have been holding out for many years purchasing individual liability floaters for specific commercial shoots until just recently. Most liability policies cover equipment as well.

I have a policy with taylor and taylor, at http://www.taylorinsurance.com/

Good luck

Phyxius · March 22, 2007

urbanaries wrote:

very helpful post Phyxius!

I'm curious, what were the criteria for being considered "professional"? I always thought you had to be incorporated in order to take out business liability insurance?

I explained to her (the agent) that I was not incorporated or listed as a business, that as a photographer I can sell under my own name without trading as or doing business as or going through incorporating if I so choose.

The IRS has a different idea of what a "professional" is than the insurance company does. Pretty much according to the insurance company if you make money off it, you're professional. The liability insurance is included, non-optional by Maryland state law. I'll ask her the exact name of the policy when I call her with a decision about my truck.

urbanaries · April 5, 2007

Marc Muench wrote:

For very good liability insurance policies I recommend becoming a member of ASMP, American Society of Magazine Photographers. They do require proof of tear sheats and published works plus a membership fee to join but it also entitles you to many other benies! I have been holding out for many years purchasing individual liability floaters for specific commercial shoots until just recently. Most liability policies cover equipment as well.

I have a policy with taylor and taylor, at http://www.taylorinsurance.com/

Good luck

thanks for this link marc, I'm going to check it out. I just talked to my home/car insurance agent, and to take out a commercial line (10K equipment insurance and $1M liability) it's to $1200/year. That seems kinda insane.

docwalker · April 6, 2007

I got into the discussion with USAA Insurance 2 days ago as well. We are getting HO on our first home and the agent was asking about valuables. When I mentioned the camera gear we started discussing liability and such. She transferred me to their commercial department and they made me a really good offer on insuring the camera gear, and adding a certificate of liability. I do not remember the amount as my head was still realing from the HO info. I asked her to send me the info. I will let you know what the reates are when they arrive.

urbanaries · April 16, 2007

Update: I just signed a Commercial Insurance policy for $354/year.

It included $10,000 of personal property/equipment insurance for situations not covered by my homeowner's insurance (flood fire, theft etc). If it gets dropped in a lake, I'm covered w/ a $500 deductible.

The policy also included $1 million in personal liability and injury. If I damage someones home, or they get injured because of my equipment, I'm covered.

The one type of situation that I am not covered is apparently called professional liability. So if I lose a memory card with wedding shots on it, I better get a great lawyer and hope my contract (which limits my professional liability to the price of the contract) holds water. I think I might run the contracts by my lawyer and see what he thinks, if that is my "safety net" so to speak.

My agent was a claims adjuster for 23 years and he has never heard of a photographer getting sued for professional liability reasons, so that's somewhat reassuring.

anyway, hope this helps. I for one hate paying for insurance, but have definitely been in situations where it paid for itself.

chicodawg · April 22, 2007

Well, after a trip to my State Farm office, since my car is covered with them, I am now covered in business also.

I have $9,000 equipment coverage with $100/deductible, with their personal articles protection plan (commercial), and $1 million business liability coverage if I screw up someone else's place, or create an accident, etc.

$47/month on the installment plan.

Probably overkill. My decision on this was - at least I don't have to worry about coverage. I like the liability plan since I can temporarily increase the liability coverage if, say, an event requires more. But at this point, still overkill for the minimal business I'm doing. Next stop...advertising!

After receiving the policies in the mail, I can tell you that the business policy is VERY involved reading material.

Mike

sirsloop · April 22, 2007

has anyone had to use their insurance yet??

Scott_Quier · April 24, 2007

sirsloop wrote:

has anyone had to use their insurance yet??

And for those that have, how did it go? And with whom did you insure?

Liability Insurance question

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