Is Joining PPA Beneficial

Well I went ahead and became a memeber. I want to thank everyone who commented and gave me their advice. I know photography is a side gig for me, but it's nice to have some of the features that PPA offers.

Art Rodriguez wrote in post #14636788
Well I went ahead and became a memeber. I want to thank everyone who commented and gave me their advice. I know photography is a side gig for me, but it's nice to have some of the features that PPA offers.

May I ask what features PPA offered that convinced you to finally join? I've been debating myself as well lately.

curious as well.... I'm trying to find photographers to network with

Anyone know how much their liability coverage is? We currently have a nice insurance plan, and wondering if joining PPA would be a viable alternative.

Thank you.

2ndshooter wrote in post #14638654
Anyone know how much their liability coverage is? We currently have a nice insurance plan, and winery if joining PPA would be a viable alternative.

Thank you.

PPA is not an alternative, generally, for other insurance plans--that's not a reason to join them.

noxcuses1 wrote in post #14636852
May I ask what features PPA offered that convinced you to finally join? I've been debating myself as well lately.

The insurance on equipment was the big thing. And the Indemnification Trust was the other. You can read up the Trust here.

2ndshooter wrote in post #14638654
Anyone know how much their liability coverage is? We currently have a nice insurance plan, and winery if joining PPA would be a viable alternative.

Thank you.

The coverage is up to $15,000.00 from what I understand.

RDKirk wrote in post #14639170
PPA is not an alternative, generally, for other insurance plans--that's not a reason to join them.

Can you explain this further?

RDKirk wrote in post #14639170
PPA is not an alternative, generally, for other insurance plans--that's not a reason to join them.

Why is that? They seem to offer similar coverage... equipment insurance, indemnification insurance/trust, and optional liability insurance. If the cost is less to go with PPA, why should we keep our stand-alone coverage?

I have looked over the PPA site multiple times, and the insurance coverage seems to be the only thing worth paying for. The only other benefit I can see is discounts on services, products and classes.

One thing that annoys me is local photographers who act like you're not a professional unless you're a PPA member.

Art Rodriguez wrote in post #14639551
The coverage is up to $15,000.00 from what I understand.

I mean the cost of their General Liability insurance. I don't want to have to join and fill out forms, just to see how much it'll end up costing us.

Art Rodriguez wrote in post #14639551
The insurance on equipment was the big thing. And the Indemnification Trust was the other. You can read up the Trust here.


The coverage is up to $15,000.00 from what I understand.


Can you explain this further?

The Trust plus a lawyer who will write free letters for you are unique PPA benefits, but when it comes to insurance coverage for liability or equipment, you can do better in terms of price and coverage with a bit of shopping around.

I don't--and I don't know any of my PPA colleagues--who actually depends solely on insurance through PPA. Insurance is one of those things that has so many variables that it's almost always effective to shop around.

For instance, I do a significant amount of location work for which the venues require certificates of insurance that temporarily cover them for liability damages caused by my activities. My liability coverage is sufficient anyway, but these certificates provide proof of it. It's easy for me to drop by my local agent and have a certificate printed out just for a session.

So my bottom line is that insurance through PPA is not dog-dootie, but most people can do better shopping for themselves...therefore​, that's not a reason to join PPA.

However, I'm a big booster for PPA membership, because there are certainly other more important reasons. Learning how to run and market your business more profitably is the primary reason to join.

2ndshooter wrote in post #14639564
I mean the cost of their General Liability insurance. I don't want to have to join and fill out forms, just to see how much it'll end up costing us.

The cost with the membership cost. But you have to sign up for the Professional Active membership. Once you sign up you have to active the insurance.

RDKirk wrote in post #14639694
The Trust plus a lawyer who will write free letters for you are unique PPA benefits, but when it comes to insurance coverage for liability or equipment, you can do better in terms of price and coverage with a bit of shopping around.

I don't--and I don't know any of my PPA colleagues--who actually depends solely on insurance through PPA. Insurance is one of those things that has so many variables that it's almost always effective to shop around.

For instance, I do a significant amount of location work for which the venues require certificates of insurance that temporarily cover them for liability damages caused by my activities. My liability coverage is sufficient anyway, but these certificates provide proof of it. It's easy for me to drop by my local agent and have a certificate printed out just for a session.

So my bottom line is that insurance through PPA is not dog-dootie, but most people can do better shopping for themselves...therefore​, that's not a reason to join PPA.

However, I'm a big booster for PPA membership, because there are certainly other more important reasons. Learning how to run and market your business more profitably is the primary reason to join.

Believe me. I looked around and asked around and couldn't find anyone who would insure camera equipment. Hopefully I won't have to use it. But it's a piece of mind.

Art Rodriguez wrote in post #14641186
The cost with the membership cost. But you have to sign up for the Professional Active membership. Once you sign up you have to active the insurance.

General Liability insurance... NOT equipment insurance.

You know, you tell the groom to stand next to a pond, and he slips and falls in and ruins his rented tux... or you move a candle for a shot and accidentally set curtains on fire. Stuff like that.

I remember a story of a photographer who hung the bride's dress on a sprinkler head... there-by setting off the whole hotel's sprinkler system and causing a LOT of damage.

2ndshooter wrote in post #14642042
General Liability insurance... NOT equipment insurance.

You know, you tell the groom to stand next to a pond, and he slips and falls in and ruins his rented tux... or you move a candle for a shot and accidentally set curtains on fire. Stuff like that.

I remember a story of a photographer who hung the bride's dress on a sprinkler head... there-by setting off the whole hotel's sprinkler system and causing a LOT of damage.

Ok, now I see where you are coming from. I just read some more on this on the PPA website and from what I read, no, the Trust is only for data loss, customer not satisfied with the final product, failure to arrive at a shoot for some reason, and stuff like that.

Liability Insurance covers what you just described and PPA doesn't offer that from what I see. You can go here and read more about it. It explains briefly what it covers and don't cover. And at the bottom of the page under FAQ it explains the difference between the Trust and Liability Insurance.

Hope this helps.

Art Rodriguez wrote in post #14643439
Ok, now I see where you are coming from. I just read some more on this on the PPA website and from what I read, no, the Trust is only for data loss, customer not satisfied with the final product, failure to arrive at a shoot for some reason, and stuff like that.

Liability Insurance covers what you just described and PPA doesn't offer that from what I see. You can go here and read more about it. It explains briefly what it covers and don't cover. And at the bottom of the page under FAQ it explains the difference between the Trust and Liability Insurance.

Hope this helps.

PPA does offer liability insurance... But you have to pay extra (I was curious how much)... I guess not many people use it.

2ndshooter wrote in post #14646056
PPA does offer liability insurance... But you have to pay extra (I was curious how much)... I guess not many people use it.

I just checked and they do. Didn't know that. Guess cause it didn't come with the membership. They don't give a cost but I started filling out the form just for the heck of it and would cost $320 a year. I guess it all depends were you live.

To be honest with you. I never thought about liability insurance. But now I'm going to have to think about it very hard.

I have been an on again and off again member of PPA. When they offered opt in insurance at no charge as part of the membership I renewed. Glad I did....suffered a loss of two camera bodies and two lenses....had a check for equipment in two weeks..