A Guide to Insurance for Photographers & Videographers

Insuring your camera and other equipment is a smart way to protect thousands of dollars of gear that is often moved between locations. It’s all too common for expensive camera equipment to be damaged or stolen on the job, so it’s important to have the correct insurance policies in place to cover this and other claims your business may experience. In this insurance guide, we cover the most common insurance policies you should consider as a photographer or videographer in Louisiana.

Property Insurance

Commercial property insurance covers most of your equipment including cameras, lenses, computers, lights, and more. This policy will pay to replace or repair equipment that is stolen or damaged. In many cases, you can have this cover both the equipment you own or rent.

An important addition to property insurance is an inland marine floater. This will cover your equipment at the job site, while property insurance typically only covers equipment on the premises.

General Liability Insurance

This type of insurance policy covers lawsuits involving third-party injury or property damage at your office or while on a job. For example, if while on set a production light gets knocked over and falls on your client, this policy will cover the medical expenses incurred by your client. It will also cover copyright violation claims.

Bonus Tip: Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)

A Business Owner’s Policy combines your general liability insurance and commercial property under one policy which usually results in a less expensive premium compared to buying coverage separately.

Other Policies to Consider

• Professional Liability Insurance: Also known as Errors and Omissions Insurance, it covers you in the event a customer sues you for unsatisfactory work.
• Workers’ Compensation Insurance: If your production company has employees, Louisiana requires your business to carry Workers’ Compensation insurance. This policy covers workplace injuries which includes coverage of medical bills and partial lost wages.
• Drone Insurance: If you have a drone you use for business, a separate drone insurance policy is recommended. This covers property damage and bodily injury associated with operating your drone.

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Being a Photographer or Videographer, you may not think your business operations have too much risk, but you may have more than you think. Whether your equipment gets stolen or someone gets injured, it’s important to have the correct coverages in place so you can get back on your feet quickly and so an incident does not financially ruin your business. Please reach out to us if you have questions about insurance for your business. We are happy to help!