Liability Insurance

Liability Plus is one of several coverages available to any photographer with a single or multiple photographer/videographer operation. Coverage is extended to any employee of the named insured including other employed photographers or videographers operating a photo or video shoot on behalf of the named insured. Coverage does not extend to independent contractors subcontracted by the named insured photographer.

Liability Plus provides Commercial General Liability insurance protection, up to the specified limit, for sums which the insured photographer becomes legally obligated to pay as a result of business operations on the insured photographer premises or on the premises of others such as the venue. Liability Plus is available with optional limits and defense costs supplemental to or, in addition to that limit. Subject to policy language, Commercial General Liability coverage is provided for the following:

• Bodily Injury Liability
• Personal Injury Liability
• Property Damage Liability
• Products Liability
• Host Liquor Liability
• Non-Owned Auto Liability
• Fire Legal Liability (subject to a $100,000 limit)
• Medical Payments (subject to a $5,000 limit)

The geographic limitation of almost any insurance contract is described by its policy territory. The territory of this particular policy is anywhere within the United States and Canada. There is no reporting requirement as to where a photo shoot is to take place provided it is within the definition of the policy territory.

The time limitation of almost any insurance contract is defined by its inception and expiration date and time (at some specific location). This limitation is known as the policy period, which in this instance is one calendar year.

This program has specific exclusions usual to this form of general liability insurance. It must be understood that this is only a summary. It is not all inclusive, nor does it alter or waive any of the actual policy language. Questions regarding these exclusions, or this summary, should be directed to R.V. Nuccio & Associates, Inc. at 1.800.364.2433 or visit the sample policy. There is NO coverage, or coverage is excluded for:

• Owned Automobile Liability
• Owned Watercraft Liability
• Owned/Non-Owned Aircraft Liability
• Professional Liability
• Property Damage Liability to any real or personal property which is in the care, custody or control of the insured photographer
• Any and all sums that would be recoverable under a Workers Compensation insurance policy whether or not such policy exists
• Any activities other than photography/videography.

For the purpose of this insurance, an employed photographer is one that must be supplied with equipment in order to perform the photo or video shoot at the venue.

An independent contractor photographer is one that has their own equipment necessary to perform the photo shoot at the venue, and does not have to be supplied with equipment by the insured photographer.

When the insured photographer is using employed photographers or videographers to perform jobs or shoots, the insured photographer must be sure to count the employed photographer as an additional photographer when completing the Liability Plus portion of the application. In the event of a liability claim, when it is discovered after an insurance company audit, that two photographers or videographers were operating and only one photographer had been declared on the application, the insurance company will deny coverage based upon the misreporting of the number of photographers or videographers.

In the case of an independent contractor performing a shoot on your behalf under your company banner, the insured photographer has the choice of either declaring the independent contractor as an additional employed photographer and paying the additional premium, or requiring the independent contractor to show proof of liability insurance in the form of a Certificate of Insurance. This Certificate of Insurance should show that the independent contractor has at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance and it should also name you and your company as an additional insured. If the independent contractor photographer is unable or unwilling to show proof of liability insurance and name you and your company as an additional insured, you would be extremely wise and prudent to find another independent contractor. If a lawsuit results from the operations of an independent contractor performing a shoot on your behalf, you will be sued along with the independent contractor.