Q: Where is my equipment covered with your policy?
A: Package Choice insurance coverage of your equipment includes at home, at a client's home, in transit, in a car, on location or at any venue in the USA. International coverage is available upon request. As a program with choices, we can often customize the policy to your travel plans, prior to the start of your trip. You’ll save on premium costs before the policy starts when you explain your exact plans, such as destination, shooting environment and the equipment that will be with you.
Q: When I am photographing an event, I cannot carry my entire bag the whole time. Is my equipment covered if left unattended in a corner or a separate room?
A: Yes, however, we highly recommend being accompanied by an assistant to watch and guard the equipment that is not in use, and so it is not left unattended.
Q: If I am unfortunate enough to be in a car accident, then is my gear covered if it should be damaged in the wreck?
A: Yes, it is. While traveling in a car for business purposes it is wise to consider a Commercial Automobile Insurance Policy in addition to your equipment policy. If someone in another car should suffer bodily injury and it becomes known that you were traveling for business, then your company could be liable. If you opted for state-required minimums on your personal auto policy and it isn't enough to cover the loss, then your business could be sued.
Q: If my car is stolen, then is the gear that was left in my trunk covered?
A: Yes, if the gear was listed on your insurance policy.
Q: A venue where I plan to shoot is asking for a General Liability Insurance Certificate. What is that and why do they want it from me?
A: It is common for a venue to request this certificate. It wants to ensure that you have protection in place if someone is injured due to your business operations while you are onsite. The venue may also request to be named as an "Additional Insured." Additional Insured is a complicated matter, but these two points are the important ones for you:
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Not all policies give you the flexibility for such an extension without paying additional premium.
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You are extending most of the rights on your policy to the company, venue or individual you name, which means your insurance company becomes another party’s insurer.
Bottom line: you should walk carefully, read the contracts and talk to a knowledgeable professional before any agreements are signed.
Q: Is there a cost to request a Certificate of Insurance?
A: Not from Package Choice, we provide them as a complimentary part of our service. We often receive requests for nearly immediate delivery of certificates. You should know that the typical turnaround is 3 to 7 days. You should ask your potential insurance provider, before agreeing to the policy, what the typical turnaround time is for general certificates or those with additional insured. Choose a provider who agrees to provide a certificate in fewer than 48 hours or you risk losing a job.
Q: If I have a second shooter helping me at a wedding, then is he or she covered under my policy? If they were at fault for damaging property at a venue, would my policy cover it?
A: Yes, your liability policy will provide protection for damages or injuries caused to third parties by your employees. Ask your attorney to help you determine whether your second shooter is an independent contractor or an employee. If you want to be certain of all coverage, then be sure you either hire shooters as employees or require any independent contractor to carry workers compensation. Anything short of that results in gaps in coverage. It’s that simple. In practice, we notice that most photographers will hire independent contractors without requiring proof of coverage. Workers compensation coverage is required to protect your employees. Their injuries are not covered by your liability policy.
Q: If I file a claim, then will coverage be cancelled or rates increased at renewal?
A: The short answer is rarely. Many consumers are familiar with stories of insurance carriers dramatically increasing rates following a claim. With Package Choice, very few customers will see a rate increase after a claim, provided you take the necessary and recommended precautions to prevent a loss from recurring.
Q: Do you provide insurance protection for rented equipment?
A: Most of our policies automatically extend coverage to rented or borrowed equipment at a limit of $10,000. Coverage may be increased.
Q: Do you offer payment plans?
A: We always offer installment plans on premiums of $500 or more.
Package Choice Insurance Program was founded by Hill & Usher during 1998. With current customers in all 50 states, you can count on the Program’s experience in the photography industry to help protect your equipment. Interested in a quote? Visit www.PackageChoice.com and apply today or simply call toll-free: (866) 977-4725.
Photo (c) Peter Dazeley / Photographer's Choice / Getty Images
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