I’m going to tread back into the waters of hot topics and ask a very serious question…
If you are in business, do you have insurance?
If the answer to the first part of the question is “yes,” then the answer to the second part better damn well be “yes,” too.
And don’t give me any of that namby-pamby crap about how your homeowner’s insurance and auto insurance covers you. That answer is UNPROFESSIONAL and IRRESPONSIBLE.
I have two policies. One is an indeminity policy through my membership in the PPA and the other is a business liability policy through State Farm. It gives me 1 million dollars of liability as well as an additional “rider” that covers my equipment.
You NEED insurance. Your clients NEED you to have insurance should anything go wrong during a shoot. Your FAMILY needs you to have insurance in case your business is sued. If you operate under a sole proprietorship – your family home and assets could be at risk.
I am NOT an insurance agent and have never played one in a movie, so I recommend you consult with the professionals. Hill & Usher is an insurance company that has special insurance packages for the photographic industry. I do not work for them, get credit for referrals for them and they haven’t promised to buy me a beer. I’m just familiar with their name, so it’s a good place to start.
Here are some links for further research:
INTRO TO PHOTOGRAPHY INSURANCE
ABsolutely agree on the insurance. Perhaps another “tell it like it is post” should focus on those photographers who claim to have a bona fide business, but who haven’t registered a tax number and who don’t collect tax….pet peeve. That isn’t a business.
Psst, Heather! GET LEGAL OR GET OUT!