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Photographer insurance
Wedding, event, real estate or commercial, a photographer’s risks travel with the camera bag: gear that gets stolen or dropped, a guest who trips over a light stand, and a client who says the job wasn’t delivered. Here are the covers photographers hold, what venues and councils ask for, and how to compare quotes.
- Camera gear covered away from home
- Public liability for venues and parks
- No phone number needed to request quotes
What insurance does a photographer need?
Most photographers hold public liability and cover for their equipment. Public liability responds if someone is hurt or their property is damaged because of your shoot, such as a guest tripping over a cable at a wedding. Equipment cover, sold as tools and portable equipment, pays for cameras, lenses and lighting that are stolen or damaged away from home, which home contents insurance often limits or excludes for business gear.
Professional indemnity is worth considering if clients rely on your work, for example commercial or real estate shoots where a missed brief has a cost. Drone work needs aviation liability and CASA credentials.
Where photographers are asked for cover
| Situation | What’s usually asked |
|---|---|
| Shooting in Greater Sydney Parklands | At least $10 million public liability for photography, or $20 million for filming, with a certificate of currency and the Parklands named as interested parties |
| Council parks and streets | Many councils need a permit for commercial filming and photography, with their own public liability minimum |
| Wedding and event venues | A certificate of currency for public liability, usually before the day |
| Drone photography | CASA credentials for the drone’s weight category, plus aviation liability, which ordinary public liability excludes |
| Commercial clients | The contract may set a public liability or professional indemnity minimum |
What’s usually covered, and what isn’t
Every policy differs. Read the PDS before you buy.
Usually covered
- Stolen or damaged cameras and lenses, with portable equipment cover.
- Injury or damage at a shoot. Public liability.
- A client’s claim that your work caused them a loss. Professional indemnity, if you add it.
- Gear in your car or studio, depending on the policy.
Usually not covered
- Drone flights, unless you add aviation cover.
- Unattended gear in a vehicle, unless the policy’s security conditions are met.
- Wear and tear and gradual damage.
- Data recovery, unless you add cyber cover.
How to compare photographer insurance
Photographer insurance questions
Do photographers need public liability insurance?
It isn’t compulsory by law, but venues, councils and parks commonly ask for it. Greater Sydney Parklands asks for at least $10 million for photography.
Does home contents insurance cover my camera gear?
Often not for business use, or only for a small amount, so check the wording. Portable equipment cover is designed for gear you take to jobs.
How much public liability does a photographer need?
Whatever your venues and permits ask for. $10 million is common for photography and $20 million for filming.
Is drone photography covered?
Not by standard public liability. Drone work needs CASA credentials for the drone’s weight category and aviation liability.
Can photographers compare insurance online?
Yes. Photographers can compare public liability, equipment and professional indemnity online in one request.
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