Insurance???

12 years 1 month ago #217397 by MagsWPhoto
So I'm just starting out with my own wedding photography biz. I've done a few weddings now and I'm really liking it and I think it's going well. A very business savy friend of mine (but not a photographer) though told me I HAVE to get insurance if I want to be running a legitimate business. For me, my equipment is pretty minimal and I don't feel a great need to insure that but he insisted I needed insurance anyway for liability and who knows what. It sounds like paranoia to me. To be honest I'm not even officially a "business" yet. Just getting customers freelance and working things out between my clients and myself. Any thoughts? Is it really as vital as he says?

Insights much appreciated.


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12 years 1 month ago #217405 by Jim Photo
Always a good idea to make sure you are covered. With so many sue happy people these days, it's best to have your self covered.


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12 years 1 month ago #217409 by MagsWPhoto
Covered for what? We talking personal injury here or like... "you ruined my wedding photos now I'll sue you!" kinda stuff? Can't I just have them sign some "I'll never sue you" form and call it a day? I don't think I make enough money off of this yet to offset the cost of insurance. It seems silly to me...


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12 years 1 month ago #217417 by Frost Photography

MagsWPhoto wrote: Covered for what? We talking personal injury here or like... "you ruined my wedding photos now I'll sue you!" kinda stuff? Can't I just have them sign some "I'll never sue you" form and call it a day? I don't think I make enough money off of this yet to offset the cost of insurance. It seems silly to me...


Oh yeah, silly stuff:

Christian Photographer Who Refused Gay Wedding Lost Lawsuit
scottfillmer.com/2008/07/06/christian-ph...refused-gay-wedding/

Man sues over 8-year-old wedding photos
articles.cnn.com/2011-11-04/justice/just...system?_s=PM:JUSTICE

"The quickest way to make money at photography is to sell your camera."
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12 years 1 month ago #217424 by Darrell
I don't think there is any insurance for photographers who are prejudice.

If you have home insurance your equipment is already covered, a proper contract would prevent a lot if possible issues.....

You will not be judged as a photographer by the pictures you take, but by the pictures you show.
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12 years 1 month ago #217476 by Ruby Grace

Darrell wrote: I don't think there is any insurance for photographers who are prejudice.

If you have home insurance your equipment is already covered, a proper contract would prevent a lot if possible issues.....


:agree:

Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 17-40mmL, 24-105mmL, 100-400mmL, 300mm f/4L IS, Sigma 12-24mm, 430EX, Extension tubes
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12 years 1 month ago #218138 by MagsWPhoto
Oh my! That is just ridiculous. As much as I'm for gay rights, suing over refusal of service seems silly to me. I would never want someone shooting my wedding who disagreed with my choices, regardless of what those were. What kind of photos would you get? It's for the best that she turned it down if she couldn't get over her own prejudices, it'd be a disservice to take that wedding.


But those are really rare cases don't you think? I don't have home insurance so no, I don't think anything covers my equipment, but I'm ok with that for now.

Things to think about for sure. But as Darrell said, I think I just have to be careful about my contracts from now on.


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