Public Liability Insurance

[helen]

For those doing photography as a business/income, who do you have public liability insurance with?

[alpha bet]

First thing is to talk to your house insurance company and see if you can get an extension on your home public liablitity to cover this activity. Many companies do this and it is the most cost effective way as it is not a new policy just an extra. Can save you hundreds and hundreds of dollars.

The problem for small businesses is that the Insurance Companies often want to sell you a $20,000,000 cover. Which really is ridiculous considering the likelyhood of you ever being sued over something like photography.

Get lots of quotes and find companies that will consider quoting you for home and business.

[kja]

I have to disagree on a big sum of insurance being too much. All it takes it one person to trip over something you've set up (lightstand etc) or something you've set on the ground (bag etc), break a hip or a leg or suffer whatever and they sue you ... costs add up fast. People can also sue even if your stuff isn't the direct cause of the accident but you are there and they link you to the accident. It isn't a pretty scenario and they might not win, but it might not stop them trying 20 mil might be too much, but 5 mil is pretty standard.

Also remember that venues may require you to carry your own insurance and those sums can easily be 10+ mil. You carry it or you don't shoot there.

Shop around as all policies are not equal and only you can choose the one that suits. AIPP is a good resource to check out.

[Shelby]

I think you will find that you can only be covered under your home insurance policy if it is a "home based business" ie an office type business. I presume that your photography will take you out & about or is it just taking studio photographs in one room? If it is studio photos in one room, your insurer may endorse your policy to cover this.

If a child suffers a personal injury which could cause permanent disability, the claim could stay open until they reach the age of 18 and will take into consideration loss of wages, living conditions so that could easily amount to $5 million.

[Ashanali]

We use AIS insurance www.aisinsurance.com.au

AIS Insurance provides some of the most complete packages available to professional photographers in Australia at competitive rates.

It's true. We did alot of homework and AIS came out on top. Definitely look them up.

As members of the AIPP we MUST have insurance and public liability of at least $10 million. We also MUST have insurance if we are promoting at expos (as we will be next month).

The problem for small businesses is that the Insurance Companies often want to sell you a $20,000,000 cover. Which really is ridiculous considering the likelyhood of you ever being sued over something like photography

You will rarely get sued over photography (it happens, but not that often), but you will get sued if someone trips over a camera bag, falls down, hits their head on a table on the way and breaks their neck. In today's world where everyone is keen to sue everyone else, at least $10 million is necessary.

[rubiton]

There is also AON and a few others and its usually 10 mil unless you request the higher amount and often they also include some equipment insurance (since your gear is not covered under household insurance if you are out making an income with it).

If you are involved in sports photography it is becoming more common for organisers to ask about public liability insurance just in case you or your gear causes issues as mentioned above.

[helen]

Thanks everyone. Will check out the places mentioned, I also found a broker in capture so waiting on a call back