Photographer and videographer insurance in Michigan

If you have a commercial lease, your property manager may require you to purchase general liability insurance. It's one of the most common policies purchased by photographers and videographers in Michigan. It can protect your business from expenses associated with common mishaps, such as client property damage and injuries.

Your clients may require professional liability insurance in a contract. Also called errors and omissions insurance, professional liability insurance provides protection if a client files a lawsuit claiming your work caused financial harm because it was late, erroneous, or incomplete.

Michigan state law requires workers’ compensation coverage for all small businesses that employ three or more workers, or one or more workers at 35 or more hours per week for 13 or more weeks. Business-owned vehicles must be covered by commercial auto insurance. 

The most common policies for photographers and videographers in Michigan vary depending on revenue, client contracts, partnerships, and other factors.

How much will business insurance cost? Perhaps less than a new professional camera. In Michigan, photographer and videographers can expect to pay rates lower than the national median to secure their business, according to an analysis of Insureon applications.

The biggest drop over the national rate is workers’ compensation, generally the most expensive policy for photographers and videographers nationwide. In Michigan, a workers' comp policy is nearly $200 per year less than the national rate. Michigan state law is particularly strict in enforcing laws relating to workers’ comp. Uninsured employers may be subject to steep fines or imprisonment for up to six months.