Photography insurance is an essential protection for both professional and amateur photographers. Some people can be reluctant to take out an insurance policy when it’s not mandatory.

However, insurance is a safety net in the event that something goes wrong. If you are a professional photographer or videographer, then your livelihood relies on your equipment. If something were to happen to your equipment then you would be left significantly out of pocket without insurance. Furthermore, if someone were injured in the course of your business, then you could find yourself landed with substantial legal bills.

Even for amateurs, there is always the chance that your equipment could be damaged and you may be unable to afford to repair or replace it without the correct photography insurance.

So, if you are considering taking out a policy, how much does photography insurance cost? It’s worth reflecting too whether the insurance comes with advice from a broker, since this can really add value and make a difference to the outcome of a claim. It’s important to understand what cover you need – and why.

How much does photography insurance cost?

The cost of photography insurance can be extremely varied and there are no one-size-fits-all answers. Insurers will take into account a variety of factors, looking at the risks and the level of cover that you want in order to decide on the cost of the policy. You may find it’s worth paying a little more to get advice and support.

How are premiums calculated?

Several aspects will be taken into account to calculate your premium. These can include factors such as the various risks associated with your type of photography business.

For example, if you work as a wedding photographer, there are many things that could go wrong. Your equipment could be damaged by an inebriated guest falling onto it, for example. The size of your business, the number of employees at your company and the number of contracts that you take on can also have an effect on policy costs.

Furthermore, insurers may look at how much work you do or how often you practice your hobby. For professionals who boast a higher turnover, they are clearly working more regularly and this can result in claims being more likely too. Therefore, if your profits are higher, your premiums might also be higher.

If you use premium equipment that is very expensive, this could also ramp up the cost of the insurance policy too. Logically more expensive equipment will cost more to replace and so it costs more to insure.

Similarly, when you opt for a higher level of cover in general, then you should expect to pay more than if you select a more basic policy. However, when you choose to take out a higher level of cover, you will also get the reassurance and peace of mind that comes with comprehensive and extensive policy cover.

What factors can impact insurance premiums?

An array of factors can impact insurance premiums, either rendering them higher or lower than the average cost. The risks that are involved in your specific genre of photography can affect the cost of the premiums. This is because you are more likely to make a claim when you work in a more risky sector and therefore there is a higher chance that your insurer will need to pay a claim you make.

For example, if you work as a professional photographer or photojournalist and send your employees to travel internationally to dangerous territories or undertake photography trackside at motor sport events, , there would be more risk to personal health as well as to the safety of the equipment. In essence, there is a higher chance that something could go wrong than for a portrait photographer, and the likelihood of a claim is much more of a reality.

On the other hand, if your photographic speciality is taking pictures of families and newborn babies at an indoor studio, then you may find that your premiums are lower. Risk factors to your equipment and health are not as prominent here, which is subsequently reflected in the premiums that you pay.

What is covered by photographer insurance?

Both professional and amateur photographers can take out insurance policies to protect their photographic equipment as well as personal and public liability.

Professionals can benefit from:

• Cover to protect photographic and video equipment including lighting and laptops
• Public liability cover
• Employer’s liability cover
• Professional indemnity
• International cover
• The use of a legal helpline

Insurance for amateurs includes:

• Protective cover for photographic, video and lighting equipment
• Insurance for computers and electronic equipment
• Personal liability cover for injuries to third parties

Why choose Aaduki for photography and videography insurance?

We are a specialist videography and photography insurance broker. We provide policies for creative professionals and amateurs across the UK, covering equipment, professional indemnity and public liability. To find out more or take out a policy, please contact us today.