Professional liability insurance for photography and video professionals

When clients think you made a mistake or didn’t live up to your contract, they could sue. Lawsuits can be expensive for photographers and videographers, especially if you are a freelancer. If a client claims the corporate video you shot wasn’t up to par, or a mother doesn’t think you captured her newborn in the most flattering light for a portrait, professional liability insurance can help pay legal bills if you're sued.

This policy provides liability coverage related to:

• Professional mistakes
• Failure to deliver promised services
• Accusations of negligence

When a client says you made a mistake while retouching photos and decides to sue, legal expenses can add up fast – even if you didn’t do anything wrong. Professional liability insurance can help cover the fallout from a work mistake, including:

• Attorney’s fees
• Court costs
• Settlements, judgments, and fines

If you are hired to shoot a wedding with two videographers and one of them calls out sick, the bride and groom might sue you for not providing the services you initially promised. When you’re taken to court for failing to provide a service, your professional liability policy can help pay for your legal defense and any fines or judgments ordered by the court.

If you deliver wedding photos that fail to meet a client’s expectations or lose the footage from a conference panel you were hired to shoot, professional liability insurance can help cover the cost of a lawsuit.

Legal expenses can add up quickly, and any dissatisfied client can file a lawsuit. That’s why it’s a good idea to purchase professional liability insurance – also called E&O insurance – to protect against accusations of professional negligence.

While professional liability insurance covers many major risks in the photo and video industry, it does not provide complete protection. Photo and video professionals should also consider:

General liability insurance: This policy protects against basic photography and videography risks. It can cover damage to a client's property or a slip-and-fall injury at your studio that leads to a lawsuit.

Business owner’s policy: A BOP bundles general liability insurance with commercial property insurance at a lower rate than purchasing both policies separately. If a client is injured at your office or a thief steals your camera equipment, your BOP can cover the costs.

Workers’ compensation insurance: This policy can pay for medical expenses if an employee is injured on the job. If an assistant photographer twists an ankle while on a shoot, or a grip hurts his back while loading equipment, workers’ comp can pay for medical bills and partial lost wages. Most states require this coverage for businesses with employees.

Commercial auto insurance: Photo and video businesses that own a vehicle typically must carry commercial auto insurance to comply with state laws. This coverage helps you recover from accidents involving your business vehicle.

Inland marine insurance: A standard commercial property policy covers business property in a fixed location, which is why photo and video professionals often invest in inland marine insurance. This policy covers your cameras and other business property wherever you take it.

Are you ready to safeguard your photography or videography business with professional liability insurance? Complete Insureon’s easy online application to compare quotes from top U.S. carriers. Once you find a policy that fits your needs, you can begin coverage in less than 24 hours.