I have
Nationwide business insurance. They're one of the few "big national brands" that have business insurance tailored specifically for photographers. I used to work for Nationwide, and have our home/car/umbrella/etc with them...so there is a discount involved. For what it's worth, State Farm consistently ranks among the lowest in customer satisfaction.
Most carriers can write you a generic commercial policy that will cover liability/auto/gear. But in my experience as a former insurance agent, it's better to have a policy that is custom tailored to your business. These are typically less expensive than a generic policy as well.
And yes, make absolutely certain that your auto is included. Any trip to the printer, any drive to meet a client, can qualify as "business use" and you can be screwed if you try to make a claim against a normal auto policy.
Amateurs, take special notice of that last part. Read it again.
This is the Catch-22 of the insurance business. These companies are not in the business of giving handouts. They are not there to help people in their time of need. They are a business who wants to
make money. Use of a vehicle is where a lot of people get dinged with any home-based business, and having a rider on your homeowner's policy
is not going to help. For one thing, homeowner's insurance is to protect against a
total loss aka your house burning to the ground. Making small claims (like stolen/lost photo gear) against your homeowner's policy can stay on your record for 5-7 years. And yes, insurance companies track that stuff. You can be dropped from your current carrier and even be disqualified for any home insurance from any other company.
Everyone on this forum who is reading this, who is:
- a homeowner or renter
- has photo equipment of any kind, any $$$
- has a vehicle
Do yourselves a huge favor and call your insurance agent today and get an INLAND MARINE policy for your personal photo gear. Don't let the name fool you. It's for high value items like jewelry (and photo gear). All insurance companies have them, and they are a separate policy from your homeowners/renters and auto policies that protects your stuff just about anywhere under any circumstance: theft @ home, coverage on vacation (even overseas), covered while in your car, etc. Because it is a standalone policy, if you need to file a claim, it will not count against your home or auto policies. A typical Inland Marine policy costs $100-$200 per year. Agents will be happy as a pig in slop to write one for you because it increases their policy count, and they are no-hassle, no-frills. It's pretty much pure commission for them.
There is a lot of "lawyer speak" in any insurance policy. Get yours out and read them, and I 100% guarantee there are exclusions under the "Use" sections of your home and auto policies that leave gaping holes in your coverage when you think you have it.