Why is public liability insurance essential for photographers?

Article by Aaduki Multimedia Insurance

Whether you find yourself out roaming rural locations capturing outstanding natural beauty or indoors in your rented studio employing your craft to create family portraiture, the possibility that something might go wrong is always present. While such circumstances are unfortunate and most professional photographers do their utmost to avoid them occurring, potential problems can put your photography business at considerable risk.

The good news is that you can prepare for these worst-case scenarios by putting measures in place before they arise. Predicting the unpredictable is no easy feat, so instead of taking such a chance, public liability insurance was developed for peace of mind.

Put simply, photographers’ public liability insurance was created to cover the cost of any claims made against you by members of the public, due to incidents that happen in connection with your photography business (or amateur) activities. A public liability insurance policy can cover the costs of legal action and compensation claims made against you or your business in the event of damage to third-party property or bodily injury to a member of the public.

Such a policy ensures that photographers are effectively shielded from most types of potential risk that can occur when they are out working among the public, or in an area used by the public.

Why is public liability insurance so important for photographers and videographers?

If you are out working as a professional photographer or simply taking pictures for your own use in your free time, perhaps the last thing you would imagine is something going awry. Remember, if you’re taking pictures in a public place or near members of the public, there is always a potential risk of accident and injury.

A person might trip over your tripod and fall, resulting in a serious injury, or you might step back into someone while you’re trying to get a shot and knock them into something. It might not be a member of the public you cause harm to, but their belongings. What if your equipment is unsecured and falls on their property causing irreparable damage? What if that property is particularly valuable?

If any of these unfortunate events take place, you can potentially be held accountable for any harm or damage you cause. Standard insurance will not normally cover you for such an eventuality and you could face significant financial penalties.

Photographers’ public liability insurance policies are developed to offer a measure of protection against the consequences and financial fall-out that comes from legal claims of any property damage or personal injuries issued by third parties.

Say, for example, you’re a wedding photographer. While photographing the happy couple’s first dance, you accidentally leave your camera bag sticking out in a walkway. The bride’s mother doesn’t see it, and while walking, she catches her foot in the shoulder strap of your bag and falls to the floor, breaking her leg. She needs time off work and physiotherapy as a result.

Obviously, you didn’t leave your bag there with the intention of having someone injure themselves because of it, but it was still your actions that caused the accident and her injury. As a result, you would be liable for compensation. In this instance, it would be your public liability insurance that would help to cover the compensation and treatment costs.

How much does a Public Liability insurance policy cost?

Many venues will stipulate the level of cover you should have in place in order to photograph there – perhaps £2m, £5m or £10m. The best thing to do when looking for public liability insurance coverage is to think of it not in terms of outright cost, but more in terms of value for money.

That means thinking about the level of coverage you’re getting relative to how much the premiums are going to cost you.

Talking to an experienced insurance adviser will help you work through the angles to achieve a much more appropriate public liability insurance package for your needs.

Specialists in photographers’ insurance

With more than 15 years of experience serving photographers with specialised insurance, we here at Aaduki are well-placed to provide policies for UK creative professionals to cover both themselves and their businesses, and the equipment they rely on.

We understand that every photographer is an individual with their own needs and way of working. To match these specific requirements, we take a tailored approach to providing cover, and craft policies that only include the elements you need, including equipment, employers’ liability, international cover, public liability and professional indemnity. Contact our dedicated team today to discuss your needs and receive a free quotation.

Aaduki and Aaduki Multimedia Insurance and Partners& are trading style of Partners& Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales. No 00497227. Registered office MRIB House, 25 Amersham Hill, High Wycombe HP13 6NU. +44 (0) 3300 940177