Insurance for Pro's

[InskiP]

How do the Pro's insure their equipment, everything from camera and lenses to computer and software? Are there special companies? After searching through the forum, it looks like lots of people have riders on their homeowners insurance, or personal articles insurance. However, when I asked my insurance co (AAA) they said they don't cover equipment used for business no matter how small the business is. If it's used as a hobby then it's covered. Maybe it differs by state?? I live in CA where they like to make everything complex.

Also, if you have a home studio what kind of insurance do you need?

Thanks in advance.

[InskiP]

Doesn't anyone know anything about this? I've searched the forum, and as I said previously, all I found was info on attaching it to your homeowners policy, but according to my insurance company, this is only if the equipment is used for a hobby. If the equipment is used for business/profit, no matter how small, it can't be covered w/ homeowners. Not only that, supposedly there are no rider policies available either.

Maybe it's my company or the state I live in, but how do the Pro's insure their equipment? If there's another thread on this specifically, please point me in the right direction.

[psurrette]

Check with State Farm, I do not use them but have some friends who do to cover their equipment as pro's.

best,
Pete

[sugarzebra]

I use State Farm and they have a separate policy for camera gear which is very good (all perils, no question full replacement etc). Give them a call.

[InskiP]

I use State Farm and they have a separate policy for camera gear which is very good (all perils, no question full replacement etc). Give them a call.

But do you use your equipment for a hobby, or for business? Maybe State Farm IS different than other insurance co's as far as the pro/hobby issue, I will double check. Thanks.

[Atomic79]

May/June issue of DigitalPhotoPro has a short article regarding insurance. Just picked up the issue haven't had a chance to read yet sorry. They list some trade groups like www.ppa.com or www.nppa.org. They also listed some companies that specialize in industry insurance like www.groupinsure.com. More listed in the article.

[WhatEyeSee]

good questions - I too am in Cali and begining to look into this. I was thinking I would have to add it to my homeowners, but if it is a business then that wouldn't work.

I will post any good finds if I come across them.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Hi Inskip,..
Any post on insurance I have posted (and there have been several) discuss Pro insurance, so I know there are threads here somewhere! :lol:

I get mine through my membership with NANPA (North American Nature Photographers Association)
The insurance company os "Chubb" and the coveredge is for a Photo business,. not just a rider for gear. Of course it covers all your gear as well,. and more comprehensively than a home owners rider,. but in addition it covers many aspects of liability etc that a pro photog can get mixed up in.

I know other organizations for photographers have similar group plans for other specialties... (photo journalists etc..)

It isn't cheap (around $500.00 a year depending on coveradge) but it could be worth it :)

Hope this helps.

[heatherlou]

I use state farm, it is a seperate policy from my home owners, but I got a whopping discount on it. The policy is for my business, it covers accidents on my equipment, and medical if someone gets hurt, and covers me in my home, studio or on location. Normally its about 200 a month, but because of my discount, I only pay 20$ a month.

[coreypolis]

Tim Picard. www.groupinsure.com

this covers not only your equip, office, rental etc, but also your liability, reshoot coverage, etc. Its your full business insurance for the most part, and on the same priceline as state farm. state farm generally doesn't cover your stuff outside the US and doesn't generally cover the business side

[gnrlmike]

Tom C. Pickard: http://www.groupinsure.com/ is one the best (research done!)
also Hill & Usher: http://www.hillusher.com/WPPI/index.html is pretty good but not licensed in every state, so one should check out first. Also Hill & Usher is not only for wedding and portrait as stated on site.
as to liabilities/equipment covered/annual price/reputability these are close so any should be fine.

[mspringfield]

Having a day job and only shooting on the weekend I am a semi-pro. I have a "personal articles" policy from State Farm. I just got the bill for the next year $299.00 for about 18K in gear. If you are a true pro it will be more because they will also require you to get liability insurance before they will insure your gear.

Michael

[coreypolis]

Having a day job and only shooting on the weekend I am a semi-pro. I have a "personal articles" policy from State Farm. I just got the bill for the next year $299.00 for about 18K in gear. If you are a true pro it will be more because they will also require you to get liability insurance before they will insure your gear.

Michael


I would seriously do some homework if I were you. I have that policy for now, and if they see that you made a dollar then you won't be covered.

[mspringfield]

I would seriously do some homework if I were you. I have that policy for now, and if they see that you made a dollar then you won't be covered.

Actually they already have paid. I had over 10K in gear stolen last year and they paid everything that I had listed on the policy. According to my agent that policy is good as long as I am not using it as my primary source of income.

Michael