Photographer Insurance
Flexible insurance for photographers. Build your own cover to suit your needs with Public Liability, Equipment Insurance and more.
Photographer Insurance
Flexible insurance for photographers. Build your own cover to suit your needs with Public Liability, Equipment Insurance and more.
In the world of photography, every shot matters. But so does every risk.
Whether you're on location, in a studio or presenting your portfolio to a client, having the right insurance means you can focus on what you do best.
Discover the different types of cover available for photographers:
Public Liability Insurance
What it covers
Protection against claims made by third parties for injuries or property damage during your professional activities.
Why photographers might need it
Imagine you're on a shoot and a passerby trips over your equipment, or perhaps when moving equipment you cause damage to the venue flooring. Public Liability insurance provides cover so such unforeseen incidents don't become costly affairs.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
What it covers
Protects against claims of negligence, errors or omissions in your professional services.
Why photographers might need it
A client might claim dissatisfaction with the work you deliver, or claim that a missed deadline caused them financial loss. This cover can help to protect your reputation and finances in such cases.
Employers' Liability Insurance
What it covers
Protection against claims from employees related to injuries or illnesses sustained while working for you.
Why photographers might need it
If you hire an assistant for a big shoot or have a team in your studio, accidents can happen. This cover means you're financially protected in the event of a claim.
Employers’ Liability Insurance is also a legal requirement if you have any employees.
Equipment Insurance
What it covers
Protection for your photography gear against theft, damage or loss.
Why photographers might need it
Your camera, lenses and other photography equipment are not just tools - they're investments. Whether it's a damaged lens during transit or a stolen camera at an event, Equipment Insurance can help you quickly bounce back.
Why Choose Mode Insurance?
Photography isn't just a job, it's a passion.
At Mode Insurance, we understand the nuances and specific challenges you face. From tailored coverage options to expert advice, we're here to support your creative journey. With us, you're not just getting specialist insurance, you're gaining a partner attuned to your unique needs.
Let us handle the risks, so you can focus on capturing the perfect shot.
Insurance to suit you
Up to £50k equipment cover
Insure the tools of your trade, as well as hired-in equipment.
Project-by-project Public Liability insurance
Get PLI for £84 a year or choose a shorter term to suit you.
Be covered for contract disputes
Protect your reputation with Professional Indemnity insurance.
Different Types of Photographer Insurance
There are many different types of insurance available to photographers, which can provide financial cover and peace of mind for your business.
Public Liability Insurance for Photographers
Public Liability insurance for photographers is designed to protect you from the financial repercussions of accidents that might occur during your professional activities. This type of insurance can be crucial because a photographer's work often involves interaction with people and property in various environments, which can lead to unforeseen incidents.
Public Liability insurance can provide cover for:
- Injury claims made against your business following an accident that was your fault, e.g. a member of the public tripping over your cables or equipment.
- Property damage claims if you damage client or third-party property during a photoshoot
Learn more about Public Liability Insurance for Photographers
Photographer Equipment Insurance
Your photography equipment is often crucial to your ability to work.
However, the reality of a photographer's working life involves frequent travel and diverse shooting environments, exposing your valuable gear to various risks. Equipment insurance is designed to safeguard against these vulnerabilities, ensuring that your creative journey isn't hindered by the unexpected.
Photography equipment insurance can offer protection against the theft, loss or damage of your equipment – for example, the theft of your camera bag at a shoot or damage to your equipment while on the move.
At Mode Insurance we provide UK and EU* cover as standard. Going further? You can upgrade your cover to Worldwide in just a few clicks.
Learn more about Photography Equipment Insurance
Professional Indemnity Insurance for Photographers
As a professional photographer, your work embodies a commitment to excellence, quality and professional integrity as you aim to meet and exceed client expectations. However, the world of photography is not without its challenges.
Misunderstandings, technical issues, unmet expectations and contract disputes can occur despite your best efforts. Professional Indemnity insurance is designed to protect you from the professional and financial repercussions that may arise in these circumstances.
Learn more about Professional Indemnity Insurance for Photographers
Choose your cover and start your quote now
Public Liability insurance from £84 a year for £1m cover
Or choose your own cover limit of £2m, £3m or £5m.
Up to £50k all-risk technical and portable equipment cover
Covered in the UK & EU as standard or increase cover to worldwide.
Professional Indemnity - be covered for contract disputes
Protect your reputation with Professional Indemnity insurance with either a £100,000 or £250,000 limit.
Up to £50k cover for equipment that doesn’t leave your property
Protect the contents of your business and other technical equipment that doesn’t leave your property.
Employers’ Liability cover for up to 3 PAYE employees
Our Employers’ Liability cover provides £10,000,000 of cover.
Photographer Insurance FAQs
Below we have listed the most common questions we get from our customers about insurance for photographers.
What insurance do I need as a photographer?
As a photographer, you could consider Public Liability insurance, Professional Indemnity insurance and Photography Equipment insurance.
Got a studio with equipment, props and rigs that never leave the location? You could also consider contents insurance for this equipment. This combination provides comprehensive coverage for various risks associated with your profession.
If you have any employees, then it is a legal requirement that your business has Employers’ Liability Insurance.
- To learn more, read our guide: What Insurance Do Photographers Need?
How much does photographer insurance cost?
The cost of photographer insurance varies based on a number of different factors, including how much cover you require, the value of your equipment and the nature of your photography work.
Get a free quote now from Mode Insurance to see how much your policy may cost.
Do photographers need Public Liability insurance?
Although it is not a legal requirement, Public Liability Insurance (PLI) can be very important for photographers. This policy can cover you if someone is injured or their property is damaged because of your business activities.
PLI isn't just about protection in case of accidents - it's also often a requirement for photographers, with employers, local authorities and venues often requesting proof, such as your PLI certificate, to confirm you're insured before giving you work opportunities.
Can I get short-term Public Liability insurance?
Yes, it is possible to get cover for however long you need it – even if that’s just for one day. This is useful for photographers who may be attending an event or providing a workshop and only need cover for a short period of time.
This is also great if you need to create a budget for a specific shoot for a client, you can split out the cost of insurance in your proposal.
- Learn more about Short Term Public Liability Insurance.
How do I work out how much my camera equipment is worth?
To determine the value of your camera equipment, consider how much it would cost to replace the equipment today. Keeping receipts and regularly updating your inventory to reflect any new equipment purchases or upgrades helps to show that you owned that equipment at the point of a claim.
You should always work out the cost of all your equipment, not just how much you are likely to take out any one time. This is because you could have a terrible day where you damage your equipment when you are out and there is a problem at home and that equipment is damaged at the same time.
Whilst this might be unlikely, it does happen!
What isn’t covered by Photographer's Insurance?
Standard photographer's insurance typically does not cover intentional damage, wear and tear or mechanical breakdowns. Specific exclusions depend on the policy, so make sure you are aware of what the policy excludes before you buy.
Check your policy documents to see what activities are excluded from your Public Liability. Many policies will exclude things like extreme sports, winter sports, horse riding, stunts, the use of pyro techniques and certain high-risk locations like offshore sites.
Do photographers need insurance for events?
Photographers should consider public liability insurance to cover any accidents or damage that might occur during the event. A lot of event organisers now require exhibitors and participants to have a certain amount of Public Liability insurance in place.
PLI isn't just about protection in case of accidents - it's also often a requirement for photographers, with employers, local authorities and venues often requesting proof, such as your PLI certificate, to confirm you're insured against public liability before giving you work opportunities.
How much Public Liability insurance does a photographer need?
The amount of cover you need depends on your business type, size and the specific risks involved. Typically, businesses opt for cover ranging from £1 million to £5 million, but it's best to assess your individual business needs. Often you will find that £5 million is a widely accepted amount and can often be found as the industry standard.
Some large venues like sports stadiums, arenas, conference buildings and other large-scale venues may require you to have £10 million to work there.
What insurance do wedding photographers need?
Wedding photographers should consider Public Liability insurance, Professional Indemnity insurance and Equipment insurance to cover the various risks associated with wedding photography.
- Learn more about Wedding Photographer Insurance.
Do photographers need Professional Indemnity insurance?
It may not be a legal requirement, but photographers should consider the protection and peace of mind that Professional Indemnity insurance can offer. It protects against claims of negligence or failure to deliver a service as promised and contract disputes.
* ‘EU’ means anywhere within any member country of the European Union or within Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland