Photography Insurance

carguy

Senior Member
Anyone using Hill & Usher (www.packagechoice.com) to insure their gear or photography business?

I'm also looking at the usual suspects at ppa.com, but an associate uses Hill & Usher. Wanted to see if anyone here had any experience with them.


Thanks.
 

nikonpup

Senior Member
state farm handles all my insurance with a rider for my photo gear. How good are they, i will not know till i file a claim. Let your fingers do the walking and call for quotes.
 

traceyjj

Senior Member
We just (yesterday) increased the home insurance to a level that would replace the camera if it were stolen/damaged. When the policy arrives, I will read through the "small print" to make sure all bases are covered. I just wanted some cover for the trip we are about to go on.
 

carguy

Senior Member
I should clarify. I am looking for an insurance solution for a business, not for personal use of gear. Also looking for any personal experience with Hill & Usher.
 

Deleted

Senior Member
We just (yesterday) increased the home insurance to a level that would replace the camera if it were stolen/damaged. When the policy arrives, I will read through the "small print" to make sure all bases are covered. I just wanted some cover for the trip we are about to go on.

(UK Specific)

Tracey

I phoned my home insurance company (Direct Line) & spoke to them about camera gear. They are happy to put it on the home policy as an "all-risks" extra which covers damage & theft at home & outdoors including holidays abroad. I have to specify separately anything worth more than £2500. A camera & lens are counted as 2 items for single item value purposes.

Sorry to go off topic.
 

carguy

Senior Member
To refocus, I'm asking about business type insurance, not personal/homeowners and specific experience with Hill & Usher.

Thanks.
 

Browncoat

Senior Member
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.
 

Browncoat

Senior Member
Just to drive the point home, a couple of scenarios:

Scenario 1: Homeowner's Insurance
MWAC (that's Mom w/ a Camera) Stacy has her own photo "business" that she started on Facebook, Precious Timeless Memories Photography. She specializes in maternity and baby photos and has a nifty "studio" in the front room of her house. Mom-to-be Alice has just arrived for a photo session, and is 9 months pregnant. Alice slips and falls on the ice in the driveway, has a miscarriage, and sues Stacy.

Stacy's homeowner's insurance is not going to cover this. The insurance adjuster will determine that Stacy is using her home for business purposes, and there is no liability coverage under her standard homeowner's policy. There's that word again: USE.

Scenario 2: Auto Insurance
This time, Stacy is on her way to meet a young high school senior at the park for a photo shoot. She tosses her gear in the back of her car and drives off. During her drive, she decides to take a "I'm on my way to meet a client selfie" to post on Facebook...and she causes an accident. She is injured, her car is totaled, her camera gear is ruined, and the little blue-haired old lady she ran into has a broken collar bone and a busted up car.

Stacy's auto insurance is not going to cover this. The insurance adjuster will determine that Stacy is using her auto for business purposes, and there is no liability coverage under her standard auto policy.

Food for thought, kids.
 

Bill16

Senior Member
Wow Great heads up buddy! I'm sure glad you posted that BC! :)

I looked at the insurance site Joe buddy, and it seemed like it might be pretty good. But what the hell do I know. Sorry buddy, this is too much for my poor brain. It just makes me think I should stay out of the deep end of the photography pool! :(
 
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Browncoat

Senior Member
Sorry, I got sidetracked.

I used to have Hill & Usher before I switched to Nationwide. In all honesty, H&U is a bit cheaper than what I have now, even with my Nationwide discount. However, that was a personal choice for me. I have all of my stuff with the same agent, who is local and a personal friend. Anyway, sidetracked again...

H&U is sort of the defacto company for a lot of working photographers. I think you can get a discount through PPA/ASMP and other groups, if you have memberships with them. I never had to file a claim, or really had much dealings with them to form any kind of opinion on their service. Price was reasonable, and they're one of the few who have a niche in this business. If you were able to ask around on a wider scale, I think you'd find that H&U are among the most widely used.

[EDIT]

Pretty sure H&U does a lot of this niche stuff. Now that I think about it, I'm almost positive they're the same company that provides insurance to newspaper carriers.
 

Browncoat

Senior Member
Yep. More peopole need to understand these basics.

Yep, very important. 90% of any insurance is applied to how the property that is insured is being used. And if that use falls under any kind of business/commercial, then people are sh*t outta luck. I've seen a lot of people get burned. The previous examples were just what-if's, but here's one that actually happened:

A gentleman walked into our office one day with some estimates. He was a doctor who owned a practice just a few blocks away. He hired some guy to mow the lawn at his business, and the guy had backed his truck into the doctor's building and caused some damage. He hit a water or electric meter, and damaged some masonry. The guy gave the doctor our info as his auto insurance carrier. And we were. We had his personal auto insurance. But...

That's commercial use, not personal. No commercial policy = no coverage, plain and simple. Even just showing up to mow a lawn on someone else's property is viewed as a part-time landscaping business, and unless you have your ducks in a row, you can get burned. The doctor's business insurance wouldn't cover it either, because his policy (and most) require the use of real contractors for work done on the property.

Moral of the story: I get up in arms about a lot of "pros" and their outdated business models and the snobbery of what it means to be a "pro" vs "Joe". But when it comes to insurance...it's no joke. I'm all for people doing photography on the side and earning a few bucks, but for goodness sake, at least have the common sense to protect yourself.
 

FastGlass

Senior Member
Very good advice. I myself have an Inland Marine policy. My State Farm agent told me that's what I needed to do things right.:) And yes your right, it's only $160 yr.
 

mrpbnm

Senior Member
I have Nationwide business insurance...
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.
@Browncoat Will the inland marine policy cover photo equipment used for business or is it only for personal use equipment? Also, are drops and spills covered? I just dropped a camera and lens at my job that is going to cost $1100 to repair. Of course my company will pay for that, but had it been my business' camera, I'd be stuck with the repair bill...

mrpbnm
 

Eyelight

Senior Member
@Browncoat Will the inland marine policy cover photo equipment used for business or is it only for personal use equipment? Also, are drops and spills covered? I just dropped a camera and lens at my job that is going to cost $1100 to repair. Of course my company will pay for that, but had it been my business' camera, I'd be stuck with the repair bill...

mrpbnm

Browncoat wonders through every now and then, but in case he does not see your note for awhile, I can add a couple thoughts.

Inland Marine policies are written for personal and/or business equipment. I think the basic policies will cover fire, theft, etc, but you can add coverage for accidental damage or loss. Best to check with your insurance agent of choice and read the policy.
 

sonicbuffalo_RIP

Senior Member
@mrpbnm.....I just had my photography and jewelry covered on an inland marine policy through Farm Bureau. The agent told me that I wasn't covered for accidental drops and spills. The benefit is that if my equipment is stolen, or lost, it is covered WITHOUT any deductable. A very important decision to make for me. I didn't want to have to pay out of pocket.
 

Browncoat

Senior Member
Browncoat wonders through every now and then, but in case he does not see your note for awhile, I can add a couple thoughts.

Inland Marine policies are written for personal and/or business equipment. I think the basic policies will cover fire, theft, etc, but you can add coverage for accidental damage or loss. Best to check with your insurance agent of choice and read the policy.
Just wandering through...;)

Eyelight is correct.

For the sake of simplicity, these policies are basically an extension of your homeowner's policy, and are for personal property. Not sure if it was this thread or another, but I've noted that when it comes to insurance, use is 90% of how they are underwritten. Any time the words "business use" are even a remote possibility, consult with an agent to specifically outline what coverage you need. 9 times out of 10, a commercial policy is the best course of action if those words come into play.
 
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