Equipment insurance for photographers and videographers
Equipment insurance covers your videography and photography equipment while it’s in transit over land or stored at an off-site location. It's also called inland marine insurance.
Protect your photo and video equipment wherever you go
Equipment insurance, or inland marine insurance, helps photographers and videographers recover the cost of lost, stolen, or damaged items. It's a "floater" policy that covers personal property that travels with you.
Because photo and video shoots take place at different locations, you need gear insurance that can cover your equipment wherever you bring it. For example, if your camera is stolen at the park where you were shooting a wedding, equipment insurance can pay for the cost of replacement.
This policy usually offers equipment coverage for:
- Cameras brought to a photo shoot
- Items kept at a storage locker
- Business property in transit
Bundle policies to save money and increase coverage
If you run a videography or photography business, you might want to look into adding camera insurance to your general liability insurance or business owner's policy (BOP). Bundling policies is one way for small business owners to save money on insurance.
A business owner's policy includes both general liability insurance and commercial property insurance to protect against common third-party lawsuits and business property damage. You can add other endorsements as well, such as business interruption insurance to cover temporary forced closures.
Talk to a licensed insurance agent about the best way to buy camera equipment insurance for your business.
What does equipment insurance cover for photographers and videographers?
Inland marine insurance doesn’t only pay for stolen items, like a video camera that disappears from a film set. If your equipment is damaged by vandalism or a work accident, this policy will pay for the repair or replacement cost. However, it does not cover general wear and tear.
Inland marine coverage can protect:
- Camera bodies and storage bags
- Tripods, lenses, filters, and other camera equipment
- Light kits, backdrops, and other accessories
- Computers, monitors, laptops, and external hard drives
- Other specialized equipment, such as drones
Customize coverage to fit your photography or videography business
Not every photo or video company has the same insurance needs. Whatever your profession, our licensed agents can assist you in tailoring a policy that provides the right amount of coverage for your risks, and give you peace of mind.
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How much does an equipment insurance policy cost for photo and video businesses?
Photo and video businesses pay an average of $43 per month for inland marine coverage, but you could pay more or less depending on the value of your equipment.
Insurance costs for photo and video professionals are based on a few factors, including:
- Your profession, such as wedding photographer or commercial filmmaker
- Value of camera gear, film equipment, computers, and other business equipment
- Annual business revenue
- Where your business operates
- Number of employees
- Policy limits and deductibles
- Exclusions or additional coverages
Other important policies photo and video businesses should consider
Inland marine offers crucial photography equipment insurance coverage to help replace damaged or destroyed equipment, but it doesn’t protect against other common risks.
Professional photographers and videographers should also consider the following business insurance policies:
- General liability insurance: This policy covers basic risks involving customers, clients, and other third parties. It can cover accidental damage to a client's property or a slip-and-fall injury at your studio that leads to a lawsuit.
- Business owner’s policy: A BOP bundles general liability coverage with commercial property insurance at a lower rate than purchasing both policies separately. If a client is injured at your office or a thief steals your camera equipment, a BOP would cover the costs.
- Professional liability insurance: This coverage can pay for lawsuits related to your work performance. For example, if a videographer hired to shoot a wedding misplaces the memory card, it can pay for legal expenses. This policy is sometimes referred to as errors and omissions insurance (E&O).
- Workers’ compensation insurance: This policy can pay for medical expenses if an employee is injured on the job. For example, if a photographer falls off a ladder while trying for the perfect angle, workers’ comp would cover their hospital bill. Most states require this coverage for businesses with employees.
- Commercial auto insurance: Photo and video businesses that own a vehicle typically must carry commercial auto insurance to comply with state laws. This coverage helps you recover from accidents involving your business vehicle.
Get free quotes and buy online with Insureon
Are you ready to protect your business with inland marine insurance for photographers or videographers, or another type of coverage? Complete Insureon’s easy online application today to get quotes from top U.S. providers. Once you find the right types of insurance for your photo or video business, your coverage can begin in less than 24 hours.
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