As a photographer or videographer in North Carolina, your career revolves around capturing pivotal moments. Whether you’re shooting portraits in Charlotte’s Ramsey Creek Park or filming a wedding in Greensboro, your clients rely on you to preserve their memories.
Just as every shoot is different, your individual risk and key business factors will influence the types of business insurance required to secure your company. North Carolina state law only requires companies with three or more workers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. However, you may be asked to carry general liability insurance and/or commercial property insurance as part of a leasing agreement for office space. Potential clients may ask for proof of professional liability insurance before booking a shoot. Also called errors and omissions, this policy can potentially protect you if a business discrepancy leads to a lawsuit.
Insureon makes shopping for insurance easy with industry-leading technology that gathers quotes from top U.S. carriers that fit your needs. Read more to find out which policies are most common for photographers and videographers in North Carolina, and start an application to get your free quotes today.
Find the right insurance policy for your photo/video business
The most common policies for North Carolina photographers and videographers vary depending on a number of factors, including revenue, client contracts, and partnerships. The table below illustrates which policies might work best for your business size.
| Business type |
General liability / BOP |
Professional liability |
Workers' comp |
| Sole proprietor |
X |
X |
|
| Partner |
X |
X |
|
| Contractor / freelancer |
X |
X |
|
| Employer |
X |
X |
X |
General liability insurance: General liability insurance is the foundation of a photographer or videographer’s business protection with coverage that extends to bodily injury, client property damage, advertising injury, and the cost of legal defense. Most commercial leases require you to have this coverage.
Professional liability insurance: Many clients require proof of professional liability insurance before entering contracts for professional services. This policy, also called errors and omissions insurance or photographer and videographer liability insurance, can help cover legal expenses if you’re sued for unsatisfactory work or a business discrepancy.
Business owner's policy (BOP): Photographers and videographers sometimes qualify for a business owner’s policy. This package helps your business save money by bundling commercial property insurance with general liability at an affordable rate.
North Carolina workers' compensation: North Carolina state law requires workers’ compensation coverage for all small businesses that employ three or more workers. If an employee is injured on the job, workers’ comp can help pay for medical fees and lost wages. Sole proprietors and solo business owners can cover themselves under a workers’ compensation policy, but it is not a legal requirement.
Photography and videography are not sedentary activities, so it’s probably not surprising that the work comes with a risk of injury. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, photographers’ injuries are most often caused by overexertion along with falls, slips, and trips.
Business insurance costs for photographers and videographers in North Carolina
Despite the state’s pro-business climate, photographers and videographers in North Carolina can expect to pay slightly more for business insurance than the national median, according to an analysis of Insureon applications. Workers’ compensation is typically the most expensive policy for photographers and videographers. This might be due to the elevated level of risk in the profession. Small businesses with fewer than three employees may be tempted to go without workers’ comp. This would save money in the short term, but in the long term, not having it could financially devastate your business. In all, photographers and videographers in North Carolina can expect to pay a little more than $200 a month to secure their company.
Save time and money with Insureon
Insureon’s industry-leading technology helps photographers and videographers in North Carolina save time and money shopping for insurance by comparing policies from dozens of top U.S. carriers. Simply apply online and review quotes for the policies that best fit your business needs. Our insurance specialists are licensed in North Carolina and can answer your questions as you consider coverage.
To make the application go even quicker, have this information ready:
- Workforce details, such as the number and types of employees.
- Current and projected revenue.
- Business partnerships.
- Insurance history and prior claims.
- Commercial lease insurance requirements.
Apply for free photographer and videographer insurance quotes today.