*Good* camera insurance and liability coverage companies?

catspaw

It's time to take the plunge and insure my equipment under a business policy. As well, since I work around horses a lot, liability is definitely needed.

I've found several companies, but the cheesy websites (really, a talking CEO cutout? :dunno ) haven't given me much trust in just randomly picking one. Is there a ranking website out there I have yet to uncover or has anyone filed a claim w/ their own insurance and had a good experience?

I already checked with my current homeowners company and they do not cover businesses, so that's out of the picture.

Any recommendations ....:bow :bow :bow

aktse

catspaw wrote:

It's time to take the plunge and insure my equipment under a business policy. As well, since I work around horses a lot, liability is definitely needed.
I already checked with my current homeowners company and they do not cover businesses, so that's out of the picture.

thumbthumb

Most people need a separate insurance policy, and especially liability and dont' even realize it. Many mistakenly think that their current home owner policy will cover their gear, but have heard stories (rumors?) of policies being canceled over too many claims. The question is -- do you want to risk your current home owner's insurance just for camera gear?

I heard good things about Hill and Usher and and I know that the PPA has some good recommendations too. I know that the Hill and Usher policy will also cover you when you rent gear.

Note: I don't have liability insurance and only a policy that covers my gear, but then again, I don't really shoot for profit or events. I'm currently thinking about strobes and sports, and know that I will bet getting some liability policy before I even clamp a light anywhere. I don't want to risk a light falling on someone or having someone trip over my gear.

catspaw

aktse wrote:

thumbthumb

Most people need a separate insurance policy, and especially liability and dont' even realize it. Many mistakenly think that their current home owner policy will cover their gear, but have heard stories (rumors?) of policies being canceled over too many claims. The question is -- do you want to risk your current home owner's insurance just for camera gear?

yup, if you are 'working' when the accident occurs and tell the insurance agency that, they won't cover the claim. And too many claims on your homeowners policy will definitely drive the rate way up, if not cause them to cancel it on you.

I heard good things about Hill and Usher and and I know that the PPA has some good recommendations too. I know that the Hill and Usher policy will also cover you when you rent gear.

the Hill and Usher website freaks me out with the talking guy!! I joined PPA today, so I'll probably start through the one they recommend (blanking on the name at the moment) and get a quote there. However I know the 'smart' thing to do is to compare quotes and get competitive. How tiresome though :P

Note: I don't have liability insurance and only a policy that covers my gear, but then again, I don't really shoot for profit or events. I'm currently thinking about strobes and sports, and know that I will bet getting some liability policy before I even clamp a light anywhere. I don't want to risk a light falling on someone or having someone trip over my gear.

yup! working around horses, it's a four-hooved liability. Even if I'm not responsible for the horse spooking and dumping the rider (or whatever else can happen with a 1000 lb animal on the lam), I can still be ACCUSED of it and sued, which means I need to cover my as... assets.

The Mack

State Farm
Mine is through homeowners.

entropysedge

catspaw wrote:

yup, if you are 'working' when the accident occurs and tell the insurance agency that, they won't cover the claim. And too many claims on your homeowners policy will definitely drive the rate way up, if not cause them to cancel it on you.

the Hill and Usher website freaks me out with the talking guy!! I joined PPA today, so I'll probably start through the one they recommend (blanking on the name at the moment) and get a quote there. However I know the 'smart' thing to do is to compare quotes and get competitive. How tiresome though :P

The PPA company is Marsh Affinity Group Services.

cpagility

I heard good things about Hill and Usher and and I know that the PPA has some good recommendations too. I know that the Hill and Usher policy will also cover you when you rent gear.

I have Hill & Usher. So far so good :-) I wanted to make sure that I had coverage when I travelled to Europe last year. I think my policy is in the $500 range for 1 year and it includes loss, damage and liability coverage.

catspaw

jlw wrote:

Have you tried talking to an independent insurance agent in your own community? A good agent either will find a company that writes the kind of coverage you need, or can refer you to a specialist agent who can arrange it. It's possible to insure anything against any kind of casualty; you just need to work with someone who knows the business.

I haven't any contacts in this area (ok ok I've been here for 2.5 years but still) and my normal insurance (AMICA) doesn't cover businesses. I figured I wanted to go with a company that 'knows' the business so asking around here. thanks!

davidweaver

Good post. I'm getting a policy from my agent at State Farm for my gear and computers used in my business. As all my other belongings are negligible I don't need renters insurance at this time. I'm too well know (not a boast) as a photographer in town to get away with doing it all under a renters/homeowners policy. This is something I've done in the past. One my my revenues exceeded 50% of my gross income. I needed to biz insurance on my gear. As for liability, I don't have kids or a house so bankruptcy protection is my last resource if I ever get sued.

takeflightphoto

davidweaver wrote:

Good post. I'm getting a policy from my agent at State Farm for my gear and computers used in my business. As all my other belongings are negligible I don't need renters insurance at this time. I'm too well know (not a boast) as a photographer in town to get away with doing it all under a renters/homeowners policy. This is something I've done in the past. One my my revenues exceeded 50% of my gross income. I needed to biz insurance on my gear. As for liability, I don't have kids or a house so bankruptcy protection is my last resource if I ever get sued.

So you'll insure your camera, which can be replaced, but would walk away from your responsibility for causing injury (or more) to others?

Cygnus Studios

Liability insurance is usually pretty cheap for the amount coverage. Most events will require you to have some insurance. From the wedding guys I have spoken with, they also carry a pretty good premium.
I have a policy with Hartford. It isn't exactly cheap, but if the day comes that I need it, every penny will be money well spent.

walleyelj

Cygnus Studios wrote:

Liability insurance is usually pretty cheap for the amount coverage. Most events will require you to have some insurance. From the wedding guys I have spoken with, they also carry a pretty good premium.
I have a policy with Hartford. It isn't exactly cheap, but if the day comes that I need it, every penny will be money well spent.

In looking at liability insurance, I'm interested in what type of policy limits others have gone with? We're still just getting started, coverage would be for wedding, location shoots (ie parks, other's homes), corporate shoots/head shots on location, etc. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

clemensphoto's

You really need to talk to a State Farm Insurance agent. I just change all of my insurance policies (home, auto) and picked up business libabilty ($1,000,000) for just under $19 a month. I also added a policy for my camera and computer equipment; all together it was cheaper than what I was paying before I switched to State Farm.

ChatKat

clemensphoto's wrote:

You really need to talk to a State Farm Insurance agent. I just change all of my insurance policies (home, auto) and picked up business libabilty ($1,000,000) for just under $19 a month. I also added a policy for my camera and computer equipment; all together it was cheaper than what I was paying before I switched to State Farm.

I have researched State Farm, PPA nad Hill and Usher. PPA also has the indemnification trust, which gets you an attorney to chat with now and then when someone has violated your copyright, or if your card corrupts with a wedding on it. There are other reasons to have liability than to cover you if someone is hurt by your actions like tripping over your camera bag. It covers things like a damaged cards, missing images etc.

catspaw

clemensphoto's wrote:

You really need to talk to a State Farm Insurance agent. I just change all of my insurance policies (home, auto) and picked up business libabilty ($1,000,000) for just under $19 a month. I also added a policy for my camera and computer equipment; all together it was cheaper than what I was paying before I switched to State Farm.

As I understand it, State Farm's coverage of equipment is a just a ryder (rider?) on your home policy -- which means any claim hurts your home owner rate too. No thank, better ways of doing that.

mrcoons

catspaw wrote:

As I understand it, State Farm's coverage of equipment is a just a ryder (rider?) on your home policy -- which means any claim hurts your home owner rate too. No thank, better ways of doing that.

That is only if you are insuring your equipment as an amateur photographer. A claim on that sort of policy might hurt your rate but would probably take 2 or more claims. SF also has a separate policy for professional photographers.

Blurmore

I just got insurance through Hill & Usher. I'm insured as a subcontractor for jobs I shoot for them, but on my own I was uninsured. I was thinking of doing it, but then it was a total PITA because I had to list serials and replace costs for all of my equipment. Have you EVER tried finding a serial on an Canon 85 prime? So anywho I forgot about it. Until I was contacted by a party planner for a wedding I have this weekend. The hotel was requesting a certificate of liability before I shoot there (just getting ready the party isn't even there). Honestly in 10 years of photographing weddings as a sub and on my own this was the first time I have been asked. So I called Hill & Usher and actually spoke with the cut out guy, he was cool, walked me through the whole thing I gave him a credit card number. I call tomorrow answer some questions about event and venue, and they fax over what the hotel needs. Easy peasie, so long as it all works ;|

clemensphoto's

Actually it is considered another policy so it would not affect your home owners policy. Also if you get the business liability it also comes with coverage for your equipment as well.

catspaw wrote:

As I understand it, State Farm's coverage of equipment is a just a ryder (rider?) on your home policy -- which means any claim hurts your home owner rate too. No thank, better ways of doing that.

jdryan3

Skirting the liability and bonding issues, I do know that SF can roll ALL sorts of stuff into one rider, specifically the type of stuff that exceeds your homeowners limits. Look at the 'not to exceed' or 'up to' portion of your policy - you might be surprised.

We have a very healthy replacement cost policy on the house, and personal items limit that should include all the furniture, clothes, blah, blah, blah. But we have a lot of camera gear, computers, jewelry, etc. which when added up together are still less than personal items limit - but by category EXCEED their respective limits. So we can lump all that stuff for one rider. Yes, itemized as best as possible, but you are trying to justify the extra coverage and can add/delete stuff without any hassle.

They also realize there are people who make a little on the side from their hobby, that it is not strictly 'pro = sole source of income' vs 'amateur = spends a boatload and makes nada'. You would be surprised how inexpensive it really is.*




* - I am not a State Farm or other insuranace salesman and I don't play one on tv.