A Guide to Camera, Indemnity and Liability Insurance
The Need for Camera and Multimedia Insurance – A good photographer friend of mine recently had all of his back up photography kit stolen including a top end DSLR and lenses…during a wedding shoot! Far be it from me to judge, but leaving it in your car, although well covered and in the car park of a very posh restaurant, is just asking for trouble.
However, that news hit me like a freight train as I realised I had no camera insurance whatsoever and my car has my photography website address splayed all over it which is basically saying “Come and break into me, I have expensive gear inside!”
Nobody ever has though.
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Sure, my kit is covered in my house under the contents insurance but out in the field? Nope!
Over the years I have accumulated quite a stash and tend to take a lot of it with me when I go out on shoots.
The amount of times that I leave my bag unattended as I run around like a loon trying to capture events at the venues is staggeringly scary. If I was a thief, I would turn up to any old wedding service or venue wearing a suit…mingle about (as no-one knows everyone at a wedding) and check out the photographers movements.
That is not meant to be an invite for any pesky scoundrels out there to come and help yourself, but as a “heads up” for photographers like myself who have too much trust/naivety in their bones!
I now have insurance and also use a smaller rucksack/utility jacket combo for my kit which stays with me at all times.
Camera and Multimedia Insurance – Looking for Insurance Companies
As I recall, one reason for me not having camera insurance was the fact that when I had searched in the past, I kept hitting brick walls. The lack of insurance companies that would insure photography equipment was amazing. Even the ones that did had a very poor reputation.
Then along came a company who seemed to listen and understand the needs of professionals in the multimedia industry. There are still exclusions or limitations in place such as…
- Theft from any vehicle from the hours of 9pm – 6am
- Theft of items from any vehicle is subject to a sub-limit or excess
- Hazardous filming, stunts or special effects
…but is still one of the best that I can find in the UK.
Aaduki Camera and Multimedia Insurance
Their cover includes or can be extended to include:
- Hired in Equipment
- Portfolio
- Computer Equipment
- Goods in Trust
- Employers Liability
- Commercial General Liability
- Studio Buildings/Contents
- Office Contents
If and readers know of a better company that we can add to this article, I would be grateful for your input.
For now…
- Be aware of where your kit is at all times and have it watched if possible.
- Don’t leave it unattended for long periods of time.
- Don’t let yourself become vulnerable, i.e. walk alone around the dark, deserted streets at night with a 1Ds Mark III on a tripod with 600mm lens attached.
- Only take with you what is necessary, leave the rest at home.
- Investing in a large safe at home to store kit at night or when you are out could be a wise move. I know people that have been burgled whilst they slept…not many people put their house alarm on at night…we do!
- Sell all your kit and become a hairdresser…
