Here we are at the end of 2018, and hopefully you and your business made it through the year without any catastrophes.
But if you experienced some trouble along the way - a broken camera, a lost lens, or getting sued by an angry client - you know the value of having good photography insurance to have your back.
If you don't have photographer's insurance, you're playing a very dangerous game. All it takes is for one major event to go wrong, and you could end up losing your business!
In 2019, make sure your business is protected with coverages from one of the best photography insurance companies.
Athos Insurance Services
Only one photography insurance company can be at the top of our list, and that company is Athos Insurance Services.
There’s a lot of reasons why Athos Insurance is our top choice, but chief among them is their dedication to customer service.
If you’ve spent any time working with big insurance companies, you know the feeling of being lost and confused and treated like just a number. With Athos Insurance, however, your needs are put first, and you genuinely feel as though you’re the #1 priority. That doesn’t occur much these days!
Another factor in this ranking is the sheer breadth and depth of the coverages that Athos Insurance offers. Coverage for your gear through their Inland Marine (equipment floater) product is available online 24/7. They are also working on a General Liability product specifically for photographers coming in early 2019!
When it comes to covering your gear, accidental damage and theft is always included. Also, damage that results from lightning and wind, hail, flood, fire, smoke, and water is covered too. Heck, even damage resulting from earthquakes and explosions are covered as well.
Though you hope that you don’t have to go through catastrophes, it’s nice to know that your photography insurance company has your back with replacement cost coverage just in case. Better still, events like damage during transit or shipping are covered too. Athos automatically included worldwide equipment coverage.
Athos Insurance makes the process of getting insured as streamlined as possible. In fact, you can get a fast online quote in short order, purchase your coverage online, and customize your coverage quickly and easily 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For a photographer that’s got little time to spare, being able to get the insurance you need without spending a lot of time doing it is a Godsend!
That's just a few reasons why we recommend Athos Insurance Services. See for yourself why they're our top choice!
Learn more about Athos Insurance Services
PackageChoice
PackageChoice offers comprehensive coverage for photographers that combines a number of essential coverages into a single program.
That includes Errors & Omissions Insurance, which is designed to protect you should you be sued as a result of allegations of negligence or wrongdoing on your part or the part of one of your employees. This program not only covers your legal fees but also pays for damages to the plaintiff if they are awarded a monetary sum.
PackageChoice also offers Camera Insurance that extends from gear that’s in your possession to gear that’s in transit or on location. What’s more, this coverage protects you whenever and wherever your gear might be damaged, lost, or stolen within the U.S. and Canada. International coverage can be added as well.
What’s nice about PackageChoice is that their camera coverage is paid at replacement cost - damaged or stolen equipment is replaced at the current cost, not what you originally paid for it. Generally a modest limit of rented equipment insurance is automatically included in the policy so that you won’t pay the rental house premiums when renting gear. When you require that Certificate of Insurance for your camera rental house (or venue) rest assured it will be taken care of expeditiously - PackageChoice issues thousands of them every year.
If you suffer that unfortunate claim that lands your camera or lens at the repair shop for five weeks, in many cases PackageChoice will reimburse you for the cost of renting a temporary substitute. Often its included automatically but be sure to discuss this important option with a PackageChoice insurance expert at 866-977-4725.
Of course, getting photography insurance isn’t just about the types of coverage available, but it’s also about the price.
PackageChoice offers affordable policies with multiple payment plans available, that way you can tailor your payments to your cash flow. Whatever your needs, PackageChoice can help you customize your coverage so you have maximum protection.
With underwriting from many different large insurance companies including The Hartford, CNA, and Travelers Insurance, you have a wealth of size, experience, stability and knowledge to rely on. Combined with the ease with which you can get coverage - just fill out a quick online application and a free, no-obligation quote will arrive soon - you have the makings of a top photography insurance company!
Learn more about Package Choice Photography Insurance
National Photographer's Insurance
Another solid option for photography insurance is National Photographer's Insurance.
These guys have been in business for over eight decades and have a proven track record of top-notch customer service and excellent coverage options.
What makes this company such a great choice for photographers is that it exists to specifically serve the needs of the photography industry.
That means that they have the specialized knowledge and understanding of this line of work that allows them to create customized coverages just for you.
As a result, National Photographer's Insurance has a host of coverages that any photographer will appreciate.
That includes business personal property coverage to protect you in the event someone breaks into your studio and steals your gear.
That also includes general liability coverage that protects you if you're sued as a result of a client slipping and falling on your property.
Other policies address common occurrences for photographers, including equipment coverage for damage to your gear when on-location and professional liability protection to cover instances of professional errors, neglect, or omissions. Additionally, they have a business income and extra expense coverage option that provides up to 12 months of coverage for lost income as a result of fire, flooding, or other covered losses that forces you to close your doors.
In other words, National Photographer's Insurance offers comprehensive coverage that gives you peace of mind and protects you when things don't go quite as planned!
Learn More About National Photographer's Insurance
NEXT Insurance
For NEXT Insurance, your coverage should be easy to get, customized to your needs, and affordable.
With that approach, it's no wonder they land on our list of the best photography insurance companies of the year.
Not only can you buy your policy 100-percent online, but NEXT Insurance offers various payment plans that make it easy to keep your cash flow going. Better still, plans start at as little as $21 per month. Talk about affordable!
All plans include general liability coverage that protects you in the event that a client is injured and sues you and if you accidentally damage someone's property during a photo shoot.
Additionally, NEXT Insurance offers coverage against advertising claims. So, if you have permission to share the photos you took of a client for advertising purposes, but they don't like the photo you shared and then sue you, you're covered.
NEXT Insurance really has thought of it all. Great coverage. A simple, easy process for buying a policy. Affordable prices. You can't beat that!
Learn more about NEXT Insurance
Hiscox Insurance Company
Rounding out our list of the best photography insurance companies of 2018 is Hiscox Insurance.
With origins that date all the way back to 1901, Hiscox has built a reputation as one of the leading specialist insurance companies in the country.
Since they target specific types of insurance for specific industries like photography, they have unparalleled expertise in helping you find the right coverage for your specific needs.
Among their numerous types of coverage are general liability, professional liability, and property insurance, each of which can be obtained through brokers or directly online.
General liability insurance covers you in case you or your equipment cause someone bodily harm or property damage. It also covers you against libel and defamation claims from clients.
Professional liability coverage from Hiscox covers you in a number of different situations, from having an dissatisfied client that sues you to having gear that fails and prevents you from delivering on your contract obligations.
Finally, Hiscox offers business owner's insurance for photographers that helps balance coverage for your small business while also protecting your business equipment.
Like the other companies on our list, Hiscox really has thought of it all, and with their dedication to putting the customer first, they're a great choice for your photography insurance needs.
Learn more about Hiscox Insurance