Top 5 Equipment Insurance Mistakes Creative Professionals Make (and How to Avoid Them)
As a creative professional, whether you're a filmmaker, photographer, sound engineer or stage technician, your gear is your livelihood. But when it comes to insuring that equipment, many freelancers make costly assumptions that could leave them exposed.
Below we unpack five common equipment insurance mistakes, why they matter and how to protect yourself:
Mistake 1: Assuming Home or Contents Insurance Will Cover Your Gear
This is one of the most common misunderstandings we encounter. While your home contents insurance might protect personal items, most policies exclude business-use equipment, especially when it is taken off your premises.
For example, if your camera kit gets stolen from your car during a shoot. Unless you’ve told your insurer it is for business use and added it to your policy, you are unlikely to be covered.
Avoid it: Invest in dedicated equipment insurance that is built for freelancers and business use. The right policy will protect your gear at home, on location and in transit.
Mistake 2: Not Covering Hired or Borrowed Equipment
Whether it's a shoot, a gig or a theatre run, hired-in equipment is common in the creative industries. Many freelancers assume the rental company’s insurance will apply. In reality, you're often contractually responsible for that kit.
For example, a filmmaker rents ÂŁ15,000 of AV equipment. It is damaged on set. Without hired-in equipment insurance, they are responsible for the costs.
Avoid it: Choose a policy that includes hired-in equipment cover. At Mode, it is a core part of our flexible policies.
Mistake 3: Only Covering the Big-Ticket Items
It is easy to think you only need insurance for your most expensive kit. But cables, lenses, SD cards and microphones all add up. They are also the most frequently lost, stolen or damaged items.
Avoid it: Take inventory of everything you use, not just the high-value items. Insure for the full replacement value, not the second-hand cost or original purchase price.
Mistake 4: Choosing the Cheapest Policy Without Reading the Fine Print
Not all insurance policies are equal. Some only cover equipment at your home address. Others have high excesses or exclude international travel and live events.
For example, a policy that looks affordable may not help if your gear is damaged while touring abroad or left in a locked vehicle overnight.
Avoid it: Read the policy wording, check what is excluded, and choose a provider that understands creative work. At Mode, we have built our cover to work for photographers, videographers, musicians and creatives on the move.
Mistake 5: Forgetting to Update Your Policy As You Grow
Your gear evolves. Maybe you’ve added a drone, upgraded your laptop or expanded your services. If your insurance doesn’t reflect this, you may be underinsured.
Avoid it: Revisit your policy regularly. Better yet, use short-term equipment insurance that flexes with your projects.
Mode offers policies from 1 to 180 days, so you are only paying for what you need, when you need it here.
Why Equipment Insurance Matters for Creatives
Without your tools, you cannot work. Creative tools do not come cheap. Whether it is camera lenses, sound gear, lighting rigs or musical instruments, replacing or repairing kit can cost thousands. Equipment insurance gives you peace of mind that, if the worst happens, you can keep working without massive financial disruption.
Your gear powers your creativity, so don’t leave it exposed. Whether you are setting up for a festival shoot or recording in a makeshift studio, equipment insurance gives you one less thing to worry about.
Any views or opinions expressed above are for guidance only and are expressed in generic terms. They are not intended as a substitute for readers taking appropriate professional advice relevant to individual circumstances.
Written by
Josh Dumelow
Marketing & Insights Associate
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