Photographer Insurance

Liability, Camera & Photography Equipment, and more

As low as $99/year

Exclusive business insurance for photographers backed by A+ rated Allianz. 20+ optional coverages for your photography business needs. Use our online app to customize coverage, View Quote and Buy Policy instantly.

Business Insurance Photographers

Photographer Liability Insurance

Our Most Popular Coverage
From $1M/$2M up to $6M/$7M Per Occur/Aggregate

Photographers have equipment setups that may lead to accidents causing injury or property damage. Protect your business from lawsuits involving

  • Bodily Injury
  • Personal Injury
  • Property Damage
  • Advertising injury
More Liability Coverages

Non-Owned and Hired Auto and Errors & Omissions Insurance.

Questions?
View Liability FAQs

Why Liability Insurance?

Your equipment setup may lead to accidents causing injury or property damage. For example, someone falls over your camera bag and gets hurt.

The best, most flexible coverage including free, unlimited COIs and 24/7 Claims Reporting.

Photography Equipment Insurance

Replacement cost basis, new equipment for old.
Covers accidental damage too.

Property and Camera Gear coverage including:

  • Cameras and Lenses
  • Computer and/or Laptop
  • Lights and Tripods
  • Props and Backdrops
  • and more.
What if...
  • you drop your camera in the pool while shooting?
  • your client trips over a cable and equipment falls?
  • your custom painted backdrop has a huge tear?
  • your laptop gives up and the warranty expired?

Questions?
View Equipment FAQs

Business Insurance Photographers
Business Insurance Photographers

20+ Optional Coverages

Select from 20+ optional coverages and coverage options. Only pay for the insurance you need for your unique photography business.

  • General Liability
  • Liability & Excess
  • Camera & Photography Equipment
  • Props, Sets & Wardrobe
  • Errors & Omissions
  • Crime Coverage
  • AD&D/AME
  • Workers Compensation
  • Drone Coverage
  • And more!

Questions?
Read FAQs

Photographer Insurance Explained

Photographer Insurance Definitions and FAQs

The Basics

ProPhotographer’s Insurance is available to photographers with a single or multiple photographer operation. Coverage is extended to any employee of the named insured including other employed photographers operating a photo shoot on behalf of the named insured. Coverage does not extend to independent contractors subcontracted by the named insured photographer.

The geographic limitation of almost any insurance contract is described by its policy territory. The territory of this particular policy varies with its coverages, but in each instance does include the United States and Canada. Contact us for specific territory interpretations.

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.

For the purpose of this insurance, an employed photographer is one that must be supplied with equipment in order to perform the photo 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 to perform jobs or shoots, the insured photographer must be sure to count the employed photographer as an additional photographer when completing the Liability portion of the application. In the event of a liability claim, when it is discovered after an insurance company audit, that two photographers 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.

In the case of an independent contractor performing a shoot on your behalf under your company banner, you have 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.

Liability Definitions and FAQs

What is General Liability?

General Liability protects the insured photographer against lawsuits arising from alleged bodily injury, property damage, personal injury or advertising injury.  Our Photographer Insurance 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’s premises or on the premises of others such as the venue.

What is coverages are available with General Liability?

Liability 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 available for the following:

  • Bodily Injury Liability
  • Property Damage Liability
  • Personal Injury Liability
  • Advertising Injury Liability
  • Hired and Non-Owned Auto Liability
  • Damage to Premises
  • Medical Payments
  • Railroad Contractual Liability
  • Employee Benefits Liability

 

What is Damage to Premises?

$100,000 of Damage to Premises coverage is included with your Photographer Insurance policy. However, it is highly beneficial to maximize your protection by choosing a higher limit. We offer limits up to $1,000,000.

What are Medical Payments?

Medical Payments pay reasonable medical expenses for each person who is injured, up to the specified limit, without consideration of who is at fault. Medical Payments coverage often helps avoid lawsuits by giving the Insured Policyholder a hassle-free means to appease potentially litigious injured persons. Your liability policy comes with $5,000 of medical payments. You can increase this coverage up to $10,000.

What is Railroad Contractual Liability?

This option extends the Commercial General Liability coverage to include coverage for photo shoots on railroad owned property.

What is Employee Benefits Liability?

This option covers the liability an employer assumes through the administration of an employee benefit plan.

Non-Owned and Hired Automobile Liability Insurance protects the photographer for sums you become legally obligated to pay due to Bodily Injury or Property Damage resulting from the use of non-owned and hired automobiles including rented or borrowed vehicles and vehicles owned by others.

Photographers Professional Liability and Errors & Omissions extends the General Liability coverage to protect against lawsuits arising out of copyright infringement, trademark, trade name, title, slogan, false advertising, idea misappropriation, invasion of privacy/publicity right, or defamation as a result of errors and omissions. We offer a limit of $1,000,000 with defense costs in addition to the limit. The limit for Photographers Professional Liability/Errors & Omissions is included in, and not in addition to, the General Liability limit.

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. There is NO coverage, or coverage is excluded for:

  • Owned Automobile Liability
  • Owned Watercraft Liability
  • Owned/Non-Owned Aircraft 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.

Gear/Equipment Definitions and FAQs

Property insurance provides insurance coverage for your photography equipment up to the specified value. It insures against all risks of direct physical damage from any external cause, except those which are specifically excluded. The coverage is provided on a replacement cost basis (new for old), and contains a per-loss deductible. The policy includes coverage for loss due to fire, windstorm, theft, earthquake, flood, vandalism and other perils which are not excluded.

RVNA also offers the following property coverages for photographers:

  • Props, Sets, & Wardrobe
  • Extra Expense
  • Third Party Property Damage
  • Miscellaneous Equipment
  • Negative Film
  • Faulty Stock

What is Props, Sets & Wardrobe coverage?

Props, Sets & Wardrobe coverage provides insurance coverage for scenery, costumes, theatrical props and related equipment owned by you or which is the property of others used or rented by you.

As an option under Props, Sets & Wardrobe Coverage you can add:

  • Antiques and Fine Arts Coverage
  • Animal Coverage

Antiques and Fine Arts Coverage provides insurance coverage for antiques, objects of art, furs, watches, pearls, precious and semiprecious stones, gold, silver, platinum and other precious metals or alloys, including jewelry containing any such items. Any limit provided by this insurance is included within and is not in addition to the limit provided for Props, Sets & Wardrobe Coverage.

Animal Coverage provides insurance coverage for scheduled animals for injury, illness, death, repatriation, rendering, disposal or loss of use to third parties. In the absence of a Certificate of Health, scheduled animals are covered for accident only. Any limit provided by this insurance is included within and is not in addition to the limit provided for Props, Sets & Wardrobe Coverage.

What is Extra Expense coverage?

Extra Expense coverage provides insurance coverage for a loss you incur above and beyond what you would have otherwise incurred in the event of an interruption, postponement or cancellation of a production as a direct result of damage to or destruction of property or facilities. This does not cover loss of earnings or profits. It only covers the additional expenses over and above the cost that you incur to complete your production.

As an option under Extra Expense Coverage you can add:

  • Civil Authority Coverage
  • Power Interruption Coverage
  • Resumption of Operations Coverage
  • Agency Reshoot Coverage
  • Talent Cost Coverage
  • Animal Coverage
  • Equipment Breakdown Coverage

Civil Authority Coverage provides insurance coverage for loss, not including loss of earnings or profit, you sustain by reason of extra expense you necessarily incur in the event of an interruption, postponement or cancellation of a production as a direct result of the action of a Civil Authority acting within the United States of America that revokes your permission to use or prohibits access to property or facilities. Any limit provided by this insurance is included within and is not in addition to the limit provided for Extra Expense Coverage.

Power Interruption Coverage provides insurance coverage for the interruption of power (electricity, steam or gas) required to complete the principal filming of an insured production. Any limit provided by this insurance is included within and is not in addition to the limit provided for Extra Expense Coverage.

Resumption of Operations Coverage provides insurance coverage for the extra expense required to resume the operations of your business, necessarily incurred during the period of restoration due to a covered loss to personal property. Any limit provided by this insurance is included within and is not in addition to the limit provided for Extra Expense Coverage.

Agency Reshoot Coverage provides insurance coverage for any additional expenses you incur or have agreed to incur on behalf of the advertising agency or advertiser if a covered loss under this policy results in a reshoot of an insured production. Any limit provided by this insurance is included within and is not in addition to the limit provided for Extra Expense Coverage.

Talent Cost Coverage provides insurance coverage for any talent costs necessitated by a reshoot, reschedule or abandonment of a production in the event of an insured loss. Any limit provided by this insurance is included within and is not in addition to the limit provided for Extra Expense Coverage.

Animal Coverage provides insurance coverage for extra expense due to illness, injury or death of the animal(s) scheduled on the application. In the absence of a Certificate of Health, scheduled animals are covered for accident only. Any limit provided by this insurance is included within and is not in addition to the limit provided for Extra Expense Coverage.

Equipment Breakdown Coverage provides insurance coverage for the breakdown, short circuit or other electrical injury, disturbance or malfunction, whether due to external or internal causes, of portable generators, camera equipment, sound equipment or lighting equipment. Any limit provided by this insurance is included within and is not in addition to the limit provided for Extra Expense Coverage.

What is Third Party Property Damage coverage?

Third Party Property Damage coverage provides insurance coverage to pay sums which you become legally obligated to pay as damages arising out of injury to or destruction of the property of others (including loss of use) while such property is in your care, custody or control and is used or to be used in connection with a photographic production.

What is Miscellaneous Equipment coverage?

Miscellaneous Equipment coverage provides insurance coverage for the value of personal property, including but not limited to cameras, camera equipment, sound and lighting equipment, portable electrical equipment, mechanical effects equipment and grip equipment, not including loss of use, owned by you or which is the property of others used by you and for which you are legally liable and which is lost, damaged or destroyed during the policy period, caused by the Perils Insured against, while such property is used or to be used in your business.

As an option under Miscellaneous Equipment Coverage you can add coverage for:

  • Miscellaneous Owned Equipment
  • Miscellaneous Rented Equipment
  • Office Equipment/Furnishings
  • Money & Currency
  • Electronic Data Processing (EDP) Equipment
  • EDP Software, Media, Data and Computer Programs
  • EDP Extra Expense

Office Equipment/Furnishings Coverage provides insurance coverage for the value of office equipment, furnishings, furniture and fixtures, including leasehold improvements and betterments used in your business. Any limit provided by this insurance is included within and not in addition to the limit provided for Miscellaneous Equipment Coverage.

Money & Currency Coverage provides insurance coverage for money and currency:

  • In locked safes and vaults secured on your premises and/or locations used as temporary still photographic production offices and/or in hotel safes.
  • While in the custody of your approved agents in the course of and while performing their duties as agents.
  • While on your business premises during the normal hours of business.

Any limit provided by this insurance in included within and not in addition to the limit provided for Miscellaneous Equipment Coverage.

Electronic Data Processing (EDP) Equipment Coverage provides insurance coverage for the value of Electronic Data Processing (EDP) Equipment which is your property or the property of others leased or rented to you or under your control and for which you are legally liable, and which is lost, damaged or destroyed during the term of coverage and resulting from a covered cause of loss. Any limit provided by this insurance is included within and not in addition to the limit provided for Miscellaneous Equipment Coverage.

EDP Software, Media, Data and Computer Programs Coverage provides insurance coverage for the value of Software including Data and Media, unused Media and Computer Programs which are your property or the property of others leased or rented to you or under your control and for which you are legally liable, and which are lost, damaged or destroyed during the term of coverage and resulting from a covered cause of loss. Any limit provided by this insurance is included within and not in addition to the limit provided for Miscellaneous Equipment Coverage.

EDP Extra Expense Coverage provides insurance coverage for the Extra Expense that you incur in order to continue as nearly as practicable the normal operation of your business as a direct result of physical loss or damage resulting from a covered cause of loss to EDP Equipment and/or Software. Any limit provided by this insurance is included within and not in addition to the limit provided for Miscellaneous Equipment Coverage. Coverage is also provided for loss to EDP Equipment, Software and resulting Extra Expense due to electrical currents artificially generated when originating outside of the EDP Equipment. In addition, coverage is provided for Extra Expense sustained when as a direct result of a covered peril, the air conditioning system or electrical system necessary for your data processing system, is so damaged as to reduce or suspend your ability to perform the operations normally performed by the data processing system subject to a maximum of $10,000 each occurrence. Any limit provided by this insurance is included within and not in addition to the limit provided for Miscellaneous Equipment Coverage.

What is Negative Film coverage?

Negative Film coverage provides insurance coverage for loss(re-shoot, recreate or reprogram) as you shall directly and solely sustain as a result of loss of, damage to or destruction of raw film stock, interpositives, positives, work prints, cutting copies, fine grain prints, transparencies, cels, art work (used to create animation images), software and related material used to generate computer images, used in connection therewith, caused by an insured peril when such property is your property or the property of others for which you are legally liable, while such property is used or to be used in connection with a production.

Library Stock Coverage can be added to Negative Film coverage and extends Negative Film coverage to include original cut negative film of completed or released productions, duplicate negatives or other media which is considered library stock. The maximum limit is $10,000 for any one production or duplicate negative with a $250,000 maximum per adjusted claim and a $1,000 per adjusted claim deductible. Any limit provided by this insurance is included within and not in addition to the limit provided by Negative Film Coverage.

What is Faulty Stock coverage?

Faulty Stock Coverage provides insurance coverage for loss (re-shoot, recreate or reprogram) sustained as a result of loss of, damage to or destruction of raw film stock, interpositives, positives, work prints, cutting copies, fine grain prints, transparencies, cels, art work (used to create animation images), software and related material used to generate computer images, used in connection therewith, caused by faulty materials, faulty equipment, faulty editing, faulty developing or faulty processing when such property is your property or the property of others for which you are legally liable, while such property is used or to be used in connection with a production.

Camera Operator Error can be added to Faulty Stock coverage.  There are two options available. The first option provides insurance coverage for the faulty manipulation or judgment of the camera operator or assistants. The second option provides coverage for both the faulty manipulation or judgment of the camera operator or assistants and for errors of judgment in exposure, lighting or sound recording. The limit provided by this insurance is included within and is not in addition to the limit provided for Faulty Stock Coverage.

Yes!  Our Photographers Property Insurance provides protection to photo booth equipment owned by an insured photo booth operator.

This program has specific exclusions usual to this form of property 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. There is NO coverage, or coverage is excluded for:

  • Losses greater than the replacement value of the property.
  • Loss due to inventory shortage or mysterious disappearance.
  • Loss due to theft from any unattended vehicle (including trailer) unless all of the following conditions have been met:
  1. at the time of the loss, the covered property was contained in a fully enclosed, locked and secured body or compartment of the vehicle (including trailer); and
  2. at the time of the loss, the vehicle (including trailer) had an audible alarm which was fully operational and ‘armed’; and
  3. the theft resulted from forcible entry or exit.
  • Loss or damage caused by, or made worse by:
  1. deterioration, inherent vice or latent defect;
  2. wear and tear;
  3. seizure or destruction of property by order of governmental authority;
  4. illegal transportation or trade;
  5. a dishonest act of an employee (This coverage is available under Crime Plus);
  6. the neglect of the insured to reasonably protect the property from a disaster or neighboring fire; or
  • Property that is loaned, rented or given to others. This exclusion does not apply to equipment the insured photographer provides to his/her employees or subcontractors performing at a venue on behalf of the insured photographer.
  • Property used at any event considered to be a Rave or Rave-like event.

Additional Coverages Definitions and FAQs

Employee Crime Insurance protection includes coverage for employee dishonesty, forgery or alteration as well as theft, disappearance and destruction of money and securities. Because dishonest acts of employees are excluded from the property policy, Crime coverage was created to fill a coverage gap.

What is included with Employee Crime Coverage?

Employee Crime has three coverages, each with a separate, per-loss limit. A brief description of the coverage follows.

  1. Employee Dishonesty provides protection* for the loss of money, securities and other photographic equipment or property resulting directly from one or more fraudulent or dishonest acts committed by an employee, acting alone or in collusion with others.
  2. Forgery or Alteration provides protection* for loss resulting from forgery or alteration of outgoing checks, drafts, promissory notes and similar instruments drawn against the Insured’s accounts.
  3. Theft, Disappearance and Destruction provides protection* for loss resulting from the causes of loss described in its title. This coverage is divided into two parts, each with its own separate per-loss limit.
  • Part A Loss Inside the Premises
  • Provides protection* for the loss of money and securities by the actual destruction, disappearance or wrongful abstraction thereof, within the premises.
  • Part B Loss Outside the Premises
  • Provides protection* for the loss of money and securities by the actual destruction, disappearance or wrongful abstraction thereof, outside the premises while being conveyed by a messenger, or while within the living quarters in the home of any messenger. In most cases, the ‘messenger’ would be your employee collecting money or checks on your behalf.

*up to the limit selected and subject to a per-loss deductible

What is not covered by Employee Crime Coverage?

This program has specific exclusions usual to this form of crime 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.

There is NO coverage, or coverage is excluded for:

  1. Losses, the proof of which is dependent upon an inventory or profit and loss computation.
  2. Losses due to war, whether declared or not, war like action, civil war, insurrection, rebellion or revolution, or any related act or incident.
  3. Losses due to accounting or arithmetical errors or omissions.
  4. Moneys in coin-operated vending machines or amusement devices.
  5. Losses to property in an armored vehicle or messenger service.
  6. Losses (except money or securities) due to fire.
  7. Losses resulting from extortion.
  8. Interest, dividends, or other income resulting from a money loss.
  9. Damages of any type for which the insured is legally liable. Legal expenses are also excluded.
  10. Costs, fees, and other expenses incurred by the Insured in establishing the existence of or amount of a loss covered under this policy.
  11. Cancellation Of Coverage For A Specific Employee(s)

The Crime coverage contains a condition that immediately cancels any future coverage for any employee(s) upon discovery by the insured photographer of any dishonest act committed by that employee(s), either before or after becoming an employee of the insured photographer. This condition is common to this type of coverage. Coverage is also excluded for any employee(s) for whom similar prior insurance has been cancelled.

Workers Compensation Insurance provides statutory insurance protection for an employer’s exposures arising out of injuries sustained by employees.

Part one of the policy, Workers Compensation, provides insurance coverage for the employer’s statutory liabilities under workers compensation laws.

Part two of the policy, Employers Liability, provides insurance coverage for liability arising out of employees’ work related injuries which fall outside of the workers compensation statute.

In addition to General Liability, Gear/Equipment Coverage, Employee Crime, and Workers Compensation, ProPhotographer’s Insurance by RVNA offers a variety of optional coverages to meet the needs of every photographer.

Drone Insurance

Interested in Drone Insurance? Liability and Physical Damage coverage are available for photographers who operate drones. Read More

Excess Liability

We offer limits up to $5,000,000 in Excess Liability which can be purchased with General Liability to meet your facility/venue requirements.

AD&D / AME

Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) and Accidental Medical Expense (AME) coverage, with limits up to $50,000, pays the costs of an injured person’s medical expenses up to the limit. With this coverage there is no consideration of who is at fault.

Additional Property Coverages

In addition to Gear/Equipment coverage, we also offer:

  • Props, Sets, & Wardrobe
  • Extra Expense
  • Third Party Property Damage
  • Miscellaneous Equipment
  • Negative Film
  • Faulty Stock