How many of you pros have benefits?

[Karl Johnston]

I was just curious how many full time professional photogs running their own businesses (or working in one) have benefits like Workers Compensation, Disability, Medical insurance, that kind of thing.

I ask because I recently got injured pretty badly (getting surgery done on my arm) and I'm unable to do much work. I can still shoot and get around but I can't lift anything- let alone my arm at all anymore come to think of it.

Aa good hearted friend volunteered to come and assist with me for a bit until I can get it fixed and healed. While his help is much appreciated it made me wonder what would happen if I didn't have someone kindhearted around to help me when I was injured again, unable to work...so I'm wondering.

Is there any pro associations (I'm in canada, though I'd be interested to hear of any throughout the world in general) that offer incentives like dental, disability, workers comp, medical insurance or other related things? In Canada it's partially covered, albeit not completely free unless you work for the federal government, a lot of the basic stuff is.

Where would I go to find stuff like that out? Anyone else had a real serious injury (mine is a torn rotary cuff tendon) that put them out of work for a while? What did you do? I'd be interested in hearing from your experiences so I can prepare myself (and offer you my sympathies :lol:).

[sapearl]

First off Karl, really sorry to hear about what happened. That's really rough and and unfortunate to go through on a couple of levels, physically and emotionally. I hope you heal up soon. Physcially therapy is part of the recuperating process and I can't emphasize that enough. I'm not a FT pro myself, doing this partime for 35+ years. I get my medical benefits from my regular FT job.

A year ago I had surprise emergency spinal surgery. I had another pro step in to do a job and all went well, but it was still a bad period. My PT sessions really sped up my recovery.

I can't recall from your previous posts, but is photography your FT gig Karl? - Stu

[Picture North Carolina]

Karl, Sorry to hear about the injury. It hurts now but will get better. I went thru a rotary cuff injury myself a few years ago (double-flipped my mountain bike with a full gainer :) ) and the pain was so bad I couldn't lift my arm to wash my hair. But it passes.

I was self-insured for a while (BCBS in the states) , so it is possible. It wasn't that expensive, either. The key is a high deductible (2500 - 5000) which makes it a major medical policy. No good for the type of wimp who runs to the doctor with a runny nose. It's only intended to cover the budget-busting major injuries. But I canceled the policy. My wife and I did the math and it was cheaper for me to go thru her work group.

As to pro organizations, I am not totally sure, but I believe here in the states it is illegal for unlinked individuals to form a group to pool insurance. So economy of scale purchasing is nil.

Don't know what the rules are in Canada, and where you would go. Apparently, health care and insurance systems between the U.S. and Canada vary widely.

As to what to do when injured, there's not much you can do. You just have to grin and bear it for a while and let time heal. (And learn to wash you hair with one hand ;) )

[tracknut]

Sorry to hear it, and get well soon!

My wife and I have our own health insurance policy, couldn't live without it I suspect. While it would cover the medical costs, you bring up an interesting point about your friend helping out. Our policy would not pay me money to cover the loss of income while I was recovering from a broken arm or something. But I am under the impression there are such services (here in the US at least), perhaps Aflac is one of them, that provides for some income during recovery time.

Dave

[Karl Johnston]

First off Karl, really sorry to hear about what happened. That's really rough and and unfortunate to go through on a couple of levels, physically and emotionally. I hope you heal up soon. Physcially therapy is part of the recuperating process and I can't emphasize that enough. I'm not a FT pro myself, doing this partime for 35+ years. I get my medical benefits from my regular FT job.

A year ago I had surprise emergency spinal surgery. I had another pro step in to do a job and all went well, but it was still a bad period. My PT sessions really sped up my recovery.

I can't recall from your previous posts, but is photography your FT gig Karl? - Stu

Yeah for the past 9 months now, doing well. Hit every target. Fine art runs the show, with 80% of my income coming from that - it sells itself and most of the task of helping it selling of it is a desk job. I dabble in freelance commercial too from time to time and that's what has me worried - a lot of that work is very labor intensive and I really don't want to turn any of it down because it pays so well..and if you turn down a big opportunity it's difficult to get your foot back in that door, especially me being so young.

Right now I've been doing a lot of lifestyle and family portraiture; a couple of paid shoots every week and the money became more steadier but I can't even raise a light by myself now. Eventually I see myself moving FT into people and lifestyle work, especially if I move to the city.

Thanks for the condolences, and damn that sucks about the spinal surgery. I was told it would be about a year for my shoulder to completely heal, though before I was lifting around lights and gear and stuff like that so now I'm serious about taking it easy.

CannedHeat: Thanks; you know exactly the kind of pain this is! :lol: I was told it would take a year too. But now I'm really feeling it - totally with you on not being able to wash your hair. I can't even get it up past my chest without really feeling it. I think I'll pay a visit to the BDO (business development officer) to see what he says about tracking down compensation for Small Biz owners. I'll ask him about self insurance policies.

[asysin2leads]

One of the benefits of being married is that if/when I start doing photography full-time, my wife's job has good benefits and I'll be covered. In today's world, you can't go w/out health insurance. Sure, it's done and you still get all the care you need. Trust me. My wife and I are in medicine. There are quite a few places that offer small biz benefits that will cover just about anything that might be needed. Also, something that is overlooked is pre-paid legal. We had a friend that sold benefits for a large company and pre-paid legal was his big seller. In many cases, the lawyers that you would hire on your own were on the pre-paid plan. Good luck with the search.

Karl, sorry to hear about your arm. Hope surgery and recovery goes fast and you're back at it again. Best of luck!

I hurt my shoulder at work earlier this year and was afraid that I'd be off w/ surgery. Fortunately, I am as stubborn as they come and just worked through it. I couldn't afford being off that long. The bad thing is, that I lift patients all shift. I'm usually partnered w/ women who can't lift, too.

[Rubi Jane]

Karl, sorry about the injury and I hope you heal up quickly.

When I picked up insurance for my biz with State Farm I recall a discussion about lost income insurance, which in your case might not be prevalent given fine art is your meat & potatoes.

Do you belong to a college/university alumni or is there a local chamber of commerce up there? My Alumni offers group medical insurance, and the chamber offers group plans for member businesses with as little as one employee. Worth a try.

[Rubi Jane]

Check with the NWT Chamber of Commerce (http://www.nwtchamber.com/mem_details.php) - they list group insurance for members, might have what you need.

[RDKirk]

As to pro organizations, I am not totally sure, but I believe here in the states it is illegal for unlinked individuals to form a group to pool insurance. So economy of scale purchasing is nil.

The Professional Photographers of America has been lobbying for years for Congress to pass legislation that would allow organizations of professionals (such as PPA, ASMP, et cetera) to negotiate employer medical insurance at group rates for their members. That kind of legislation would be like a tax cut of thousands of dollars per year to a small business--without costing the government a dime in tax revenues.

But medical insurance companies don't like it--they would rather not have the business at all than to have it at a cheaper rate. So far, Congress has resisted PPA's lobbying, which just goes to show that even administrations that claim to be in favor of business really mean "big business," not Joe the Plumber.

[asysin2leads]

The Professional Photographers of America has been lobbying for years for Congress to pass legislation that would allow organizations of professionals (such as PPA, ASMP, et cetera) to negotiate employer medical insurance at group rates for their members. That kind of legislation would be like a tax cut of thousands of dollars per year to a small business--without costing the government a dime in tax revenues.

That would be nice to have options. I hope they find a way to sort things out.

But medical insurance companies don't like it--they would rather not have the business at all than to have it at a cheaper rate. So far, Congress has resisted PPA's lobbying, which just goes to show that even administrations that claim to be in favor of business really mean "big business," not Joe the Plumber.

Amen!

[Karl Johnston]

Check with the NWT Chamber of Commerce (http://www.nwtchamber.com/mem_details.php) - they list group insurance for members, might have what you need.
Thanks for the link! Damn I had no idea about that website, though I've been to their meet ups :lol: looks like I fail at networking.

[nphsbuckeye]

Tough break, man. Sorry I can't help at all or I would. I look up to self-made people. Good luck, however.

[FlyingPhotog]

I carried my own Health Insurance for many years as a freelance broadcast technician. Thank God I married someone with a "real" job since we now have coverage through her employer.

The Union to which I belong offers benefits as well as a Flex Spending account which is designed to help offset the cost of having your own insurance but now serves as a reimbursement pot for medical expenses like prescriptions, etc. This is about the only good thing that's ever come out of membership in the IBEW.

[Karl Johnston]

Hmm okay...I need to look into this marriage thing afterall...:lol:

[Karl Johnston]

Tough break, man. Sorry I can't help at all or I would. I look up to self-made people. Good luck, however.
Thanks! :o that means a lot to read.

[Picture North Carolina]

Hmm okay...I need to look into this marriage thing afterall...:lol:

Children too! They're great !! (plus, it's fun makin' em'!) ;)

[Rubi Jane]

Thanks for the link! Damn I had no idea about that website, though I've been to their meet ups :lol: looks like I fail at networking.
There you go, a resolution for you in the New Year ;)

How timely, I just received some info from my Chamber and included was a brochure for BuyChambers.ca (http://www.buychambers.ca/#/en/home/)

Sounds like they are the #1 employee benefit plan in Canada for small businesses through Chambers. The website only offers overview, the talking guy gets a little nauseating after a while, but there's a link to get a quote.

[RDKirk]

Children too! They're great !! (plus, it's fun makin' em'!) ;)

They're fun at first, then they start going to school. That sends the parenting experience plummeting, until they get out on their own and become fun again. My son (who is now 30 with a family of his own) has become my favorite person to talk to.