Photography Business Insurance in California
Photographer insurance in California
Insurance helps pay for costly lawsuits and accidents, and sometimes it's required by law. Learn about business insurance requirements and the most common policies for California photographers and videographers.
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Fill out our easy online application to get quotes from top-rated carriers. A licensed agent will help you find the best insurance coverage for your risks.
What are the most common policies for California photographers?
These insurance policies are the most popular for California photographers and videographers, and provide the best coverage for their risks. You may need different types of insurance for contracts, loans, or leases.
General liability insurance
This policy covers third-party accidents, such as a customer who trips over a tripod and suffers an injury in your studio. Bundle it with commercial property insurance for savings in a BOP.
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Damaged customer property
- Libel and slander lawsuits
Business owner’s policy
Small, low-risk photo and video studios are often eligible for a business owner's policy, or BOP. This policy bundles general liability and commercial property insurance at a discount.
- Customer injuries
- Customer property damage
- Camera equipment coverage
Professional liability insurance
This policy covers legal fees if a client sues a photographer or videographer for negligence. It's sometimes referred to as errors and omissions insurance (E&O).
- Lost or damaged memory cards
- Missed photo shoots
- Accusations of substandard quality
Workers’ compensation insurance
California law requires workers' comp for photo and video businesses that have employees. It also protects sole proprietors from work-related medical costs that health insurance might deny.
- Employee medical expenses
- Disability benefits
- Workplace injury lawsuits
Commercial auto insurance
This policy covers the cost of accidents involving a vehicle owned by a photography or videography business. California requires this coverage for business-owned vehicles.
- Property damage caused by your vehicle
- Bodily injuries from an auto accident
- Vehicle theft and vandalism
Equipment insurance / inland marine
This type of camera equipment insurance protects items that travel outside of your office. It covers property losses due to theft, fires, storms, and vandalism.
- Cameras and backdrops used off-site
- Photography equipment in transit
- Video equipment at a filming location
Which policies are required for photographers in California?
Photographers and videographers in California may need to carry the following types of insurance to comply with contracts and state laws:
General liability insurance
General liability insurance protects your business from expenses associated with common mishaps, such as customer bodily injuries and accidental property damage.
Photographers and videographers might need this coverage to sign a commercial lease or qualify for a business loan. Clients and venues might also ask for proof of insurance. Adding commercial umbrella insurance can boost your limits on general liability insurance and other kinds of photographer liability insurance.
A general liability policy also helps protect against advertising injuries, such as libel, slander, and copyright infringement. So, if an employee at your photography studio defames a competitor on social media, this policy would cover your legal costs if the other business sues.
A business owner’s policy bundles general liability insurance with commercial property insurance at a discount, and protects against common lawsuits and damaged business equipment.
Workers' compensation insurance
To meet state requirements in California, photographers and videographers who hire employees must provide workers’ compensation insurance. This policy covers disability benefits and medical bills for work injuries and occupational diseases.
Workers' comp is also recommended for independent contractors and sole proprietors, as personal health insurance can deny claims for injuries that are related to your work. Policies typically include employer's liability insurance, which shields employers from legal costs if an employee blames them for their injury.
Commercial auto insurance
Commercial auto insurance protects vehicles owned by your photo or video company, such as a van used to transport cameras and other equipment. It covers legal bills and other costs resulting from an accident, along with vehicle theft, weather damage, and vandalism.
The minimum auto liability requirements for California businesses are:
- $30,000 in bodily injury liability or death liability per person
- $60,000 in bodily injury liability or death liability to more than one person
- $15,000 in property damage per accident
For vehicles that are used for business but are leased, rented, or otherwise not owned by the company, you'll need a separate policy called a hired and non-owned (HNOA) policy. Personal auto insurance will typically not cover accidents or incidents that occur during work-related activities.
How much does insurance cost for California photographers?
Photographers and videographers in California who buy policies from Insureon pay an average of:
General liability: $40 per month
Business owner's policy: $50 per month
Workers' compensation: $65 per month
Factors that affect videographer and photographer insurance costs include:
- Services you offer, such as portraits or wedding photos
- Value of your cameras, lighting equipment, and other business property
- Location, such as Los Angeles, San Jose, Sacramento, San Francisco, or San Diego
- Business income and size
- Policy limits and deductibles
- Coverage options, such as an additional insured
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Do photographers need a business license in California?
California doesn't have a requirement for a business license on the state level. However, many counties and cities in California do require a business license. You can look up the regulations for your area online with the CalGold Business Permit System.
You might also need a permit to film inside a state park or other state property, or to use drones.
If you operate your photography or videography business under a name other than your own, then you may need to file a Fictitious Business Name (FBN) statement with the county clerk's office.
Most businesses also need a California Seller's Permit, which you get through the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA). This allows you to sell tangible personal property that would ordinarily be subject to sales tax, such as photo albums and DVDs.
How do I become a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) in California?
The Certified Professional Photographer designation is earned through the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), a nonprofit trade association. It can help elevate you above the competition, and members gain access to online classes and workshops, photography insurance policies, and copyright and licensing resources.
The certification process is the same in every state, including California:
- Fill out the CPP Candidacy form and pay a $200 application fee
- Take an online exam
- Submit your images for evaluation
Photographers who earn the designation must recertify every three years. This requires participating in continuing education such as workshops, conventions, or the Imaging USA photography expo.
How do I get California photography business insurance?
Insureon helps California photographers and videographers save time and money shopping for insurance by comparing quotes from top-rated U.S. insurance companies.
Our insurance agents are licensed in California and can answer your questions as you consider coverage.
To make the application go quicker, have this information ready:
- Workforce details, such as payroll and number of employees
- Current and projected revenue
- Business partnerships
- Desired coverage limits
- Commercial lease insurance requirements
Apply for free insurance quotes for your photo or video business today. We can work with you to identify and purchase the best types of coverage for your business. Most small business owners receive a certificate of insurance the same day.