Are you insured?

[verty]

Originally Posted by coreypolis

you can't afford not to be. how much is too expensive?

well i got one or two quotes.. they are close to the 3 grand mark...

if i was running a full time business i would pay it...

but im not...

[coreypolis]

way too much.

try group insure or Hill and ushire

and see this post on my quote http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...9&postcount=28

[verty]

Originally Posted by coreypolis

way too much.

try group insure or Hill and ushire

and see this post on my quote http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...9&postcount=28

interesting
however im from australia..
and need an australian insurance..

[toddb]

I did a second policy above my renters insurance through State Farm. It's called a "Personal Articles Policy" and it's like $5.58 a month for about $5800 worth of photo gear and $3500 worth of computer gear. For that rate how could I not...I was afraid to take my camera outside until I got this. The agent said accidents like dropping it into the lake is covered with no deductible. Now that I'm thinking of moving from strict hobby to maybe part time work, this might not be good enough from what I've read so far. Sounds like I need a second business insurance as well.

[dzstudios]

Guys - we just got more than £10,000 worth of kit stolen. Outside a shop, straight from under my eyes. Didn't know what hit me.

A peli case with all our pro equipment in one fell swoop.

Yup - I know what you're thinking. Girls! Never pay attention while they shop!

Long and short of it is: I pay £540 a year on all risk insurance. (For the business indemnity as well)....

Its the best dang £500 EVER spent. Don't mess about - pay a bit more now, but buy the best insurance you can afford.

Better forfeit the price of ONE lense - than have no cover when the s***t hits the fan!

[hando]

Originally Posted by coreypolis

way too much. try group insure or Hill and ushire and see this post on my quote http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...9&postcount=28

I am in the same boat. Live in Australia too.
Does http://www.groupinsure.com cover Australian businesses.

Coreypolis, your location is WA. Is that Western Australia by chance?

I have obtained one estimate from Suncorp Insurance for $775 per annum for $10 mill public liability only. That's more than my home, contents and car insurances combined.

I have also contacted AON who are recommended by AIPP (oz institute of pro photography) but I think I will need to engage a solicitor just to complete there application forms. AON does public liability as part of their equipment cover.

Are any working Australian Pros here able to recommend an insurance mob for their fellow Australians? My needs are specific to accreditation issues for sporting and motorsporting events.

[coreypolis]

Sorry I can't help the Aussies, by try sending en email to groupinsure or Hill an Ushire, can't hurt anyway.

[TeeJay]

Originally Posted by dzstudios

Guys - we just got more than £10,000 worth of kit stolen. Outside a shop, straight from under my eyes. Didn't know what hit me.

A peli case with all our pro equipment in one fell swoop.

Yup - I know what you're thinking. Girls! Never pay attention while they shop!

Long and short of it is: I pay £540 a year on all risk insurance. (For the business indemnity as well)....

Its the best dang £500 EVER spent. Don't mess about - pay a bit more now, but buy the best insurance you can afford.

Better forfeit the price of ONE lense - than have no cover when the s***t hits the fan!

Gosh, I feel for you - how was it taken?

Where are you based? and which company do you use for your cover - mines due for renewal shortly

[Dachbean]

Originally Posted by toddb

I did a second policy above my renters insurance through State Farm. It's called a "Personal Articles Policy" and it's like $5.58 a month for about $5800 worth of photo gear and $3500 worth of computer gear. For that rate how could I not...I was afraid to take my camera outside until I got this. The agent said accidents like dropping it into the lake is covered with no deductible. Now that I'm thinking of moving from strict hobby to maybe part time work, this might not be good enough from what I've read so far. Sounds like I need a second business insurance as well.

Hey Todd,
You may want to check with your State Farm Agent about whether you camera equipment will be covered once you start getting paid for your services. The Personal Article Policy is only for Personal use items.

You may want to consider an Inland Marine policy (not land and sea as it has been referred to) This will give you proper coverage as the last thing you want is to find out after you have had a loss you had the wrong policy and you receive $0.

Your other option is to get a business policy which will give you equipment coverage, liability coverage, loss of use, and loss of income coverage. I received a quote from my State Farm agent and it came to $240 for $10,000 worth of contents, and $1,000,000 liability. Just a thought.

[kkhardwarestore]

I just read through this thread and it sounds like a lot of people bank on what their agent tells them their coverage is...bad idea IMO. Agents are sales people and often either are not completely upfront or guess when asked specific questions about coverage. It is OK when you are signing up but the day you receive your actual policy you should read every line and be sure you understand it, don't skip the 'definitions' portion of the policy. I suggest considering an umbrella policy in addition to your basic coverage. An umbrella is usually fairly inexpensive but will completely indemnify if something happens which exceeds the limits of your base policy.

I am not a pro photographer but have been thinking of doing some pro work. The rates for coverage mentioned here make me grin. The premiums for my current business are my biggest business expense. It is a small business with 4 people. I am in what is considered a 'high risk profession'. I just renewed and will pay $25K this year...I pay more for liability/errors and omissions insurance than my doctor pays for his malpractice insurance and I have never had a claim, beyond a couple of fender benders in company vehicles, in 15 years. I can't afford not to have it.

[CaptainShenanigans]

Insurance is DEFINITELY worth paying for.

My house was broken into before christmas and all of my camera equipment was stolen, my 20D, 16-24 f2.8, 24-70 f2.8, 70-200 f2.8, 50 f1.4, Speedlight 420EX etc..., along with me computer, and the big one, my hard-drive with 2 years of college work and personal photographs on it.

Everything was insured, except my photos on the hard-drive, and it was all replaced at the value we bought it at. Thank god! Some advice, keep ALL of your receipts and serial numbers in a secure place. My dad bought a fireproof gun safe that we keep files in, and we bought several hard-drives to back up photos with. I would highly recommend backing up your digital files in several different places (archival DVD's, hard-drives, and someone told me you can pay to have your photos stored on hard-drives throughout the country)

Take it from personal experience, insurance and home security is definitely worth every penny. BACK UP YOUR FILES!!!

[marcdpalmer]

Hi Guys, Im an Insurance Broker in Ireland in my spare time... I have been looking around for insurance in Ireland for mates of mine that are pro's and the ony thing I have come up with is http://www.photoguard.co.uk/ There are no insurers willing to insure photographers in Ireland as far as I know, unless someone can tell me different. Oh and for anyone in Ireland looking at Photoguard, last time I spoke awith them (about 4 months ago) they will not cover Irish photographers in the republic.

[RichNY]

While incorporating will protect you against major liabilities, and property insurance against equipment theft or loss, nobody has hit upon the most important form of insurance- long term disability.

We are more likely to become disabled and be unable to earn a living than die during our working years. Social security disability will only pay if you are unable to work in any capacity- so if you were earning $100k as a photographer but are able to work for minimum wage as a busboy Social Security pays you nothing.

If you are fully disabled you will earn less than $20k/year on social security disability- hardly enough to survive.

The only protection is a private long term disability policy which while expensive will pay you if you are unable to work in your specific profession (better policies) and if you pay for your premiums with after tax dollars the monthly benefits (usually 3/4 of your pay) are tax free!

If anyone has questions on this please feel free to PM me. This truly is the most sigificant insurance you can buy for most people.

[fortinaa]

Everyone mentions that you should keep receipts for everything purchased and insured, but I am curious what you do about the used gear bought here on the marketplace, ebay, FM, etc? Other than if paypal is used, there really isn't a receipt. Most transactions I've had were paid by certified bank checks. I've had agents tell me that as long as I have the serial numbers and photos or boxes for the equipment and can pull replacement costs online, I am okay. But, agents are there to sell you a policy, not get you your money when push comes to shove in a claim. What's the general consensus on that situation?

[Dachbean]

Originally Posted by fortinaa

Everyone mentions that you should keep receipts for everything purchased and insured, but I am curious what you do about the used gear bought here on the marketplace, ebay, FM, etc? Other than if paypal is used, there really isn't a receipt. Most transactions I've had were paid by certified bank checks. I've had agents tell me that as long as I have the serial numbers and photos or boxes for the equipment and can pull replacement costs online, I am okay. But, agents are there to sell you a policy, not get you your money when push comes to shove in a claim. What's the general consensus on that situation?

Hi Aaron,
It's a good thing to track as much as you can. Can you get a receipt receipt for the certified cheque? Can you print a copy of the posting? Did you get the original box? If you can match up the amount you paid with a transaction from you bank account or credit card then this will help substantiate your claim. Also make sure your agent sees the equipment. If you are insured through an insurance agent (not a broker, and agent works for only one insurer i.e. State Farm, Allstate) then you will have better luck for your agent to go to bat for you with the adjustor.

I think if you are able to produce all this information then you will be fine if you make a claim. But again I highly recommend going to an agent and not a broker.