Wedding Photographer's Insurance...What's That?

You really need liability insurance. Many venues require it before you can even shoot on their property. You may not be able to get it if you are not incorporated. If you are selling something, you are a business. Get an accountant to help you get set up right. If you don't you are asking for trouble from lawsuits, the IRS, or both.

Picking up a few buck on the side is one thing if you're young and don't have any significant assets, but you are risking everything you own if yo don't do things the right way.

You do not need to be incorporated to get a photographer's liability package. I have mine through Travelers and I am a "sole proprietor".

This is all very encouraging! (^0^)

"Liability" to cover what specific issues with regard to wedding photography? Injury, loss of film (images), illness, or what?

There are several types of insurance you need to get as a wedding photographer. At a minimum:

1. "Trip and fall" type of liability insurance: This covers the situation where there is an accident on your property or you cause an accident (camera bag hits a sitting guest at a reception) and get sued
2. Malpractice Insurance - For film shooters, your film may be lost/damaged after you deliver the rolls to the lab. For digital shooters you may have a camera glitch that will ruin a couple of "must-have" shots or something unexpected like your car breaks down on the way to the wedding.

Contact PPA. They have very reasonable rates that cover upto $50k per incident (and possibly more). This insurance is very cheap (considering the alternative) and is MANDATORY if you are a wedding photographer and getting PPA membership

I do not belong to PPA and I tend not to be a joiner. The studio owner I worked for also did not belong to PPA. I realize that PPA has insurance options. I might need to reconsider that.

I try to keep my costs low, but now I'm looking at PPA membership, insurance fees, increased advertising, in addition to all the other expenses and taxes. Making a profit and keeping fees reasonable for the client is becoming difficult.

Josh, I was wondering what Traveler's is costing, and what kind of coverage that includes? Liability and equipment insurance? I currently have insurance, but am considering updating my insurance, so any info. you could give would be helpful. Feel free to email me off the list, if you prefer.

Thanks!

You can also get insurance through WPPI and it is cheaper to join than PPA.

The problem with the PPA insurance is that the company they go through will NEVER get back to you with a quote. I gave up on them. I may be paying a bit more with my Travelers coverage, but I don't have time to sit on hold while some idiots in Chicago say "let me look for your application".

I also have Travelers Business Insurance. My policy is not inexpensive, but that's because the coverage is very comprehensive.

I hate insurance companies, they're a necessary evil.

Todd, with all your lawyer and insurance questions, you're going to talk yourself into a little closet with someone sliding food to you under the door. But when that happens be sure the closet is insured and the food slider is an insured and bonded food preparer ; -)