Photographer Insurance Cost & Coverage Guide

Q: If a wedding guest trips over my light stand and breaks their arm, which policy covers their medical bills?

Your general liability insurance would cover their medical bills. This policy is specifically designed to handle claims of bodily injury to third parties (like guests) that occur as a result of your business operations.

Q: Is my camera gear covered by my equipment policy if it's damaged by an accidental fall during a shoot?

Yes, in most cases. Equipment insurance (or inland marine) is designed to cover accidental damage, theft, or loss of your gear. An accidental fall during a shoot is a classic example of a covered event.

Q: Does my insurance cost more if I shoot large events versus only doing studio portraits?

Yes, it often does. Shooting large events like weddings or concerts is considered higher risk than controlled studio work due to more people, unpredictable environments, and increased chances for accidents. This higher risk generally results in a higher premium for general liability insurance.

Q: A client is suing me because their wedding photos were lost when my memory card failed. Is this covered by professional liability insurance?

Yes, this is precisely what professional liability insurance is for. It protects you from claims of negligence or errors in your professional services. The loss of irreplaceable photos due to equipment failure would fall under this category.

Q: Are my laptops and hard drives covered under the same policy as my cameras and lenses?

Typically, yes. Equipment insurance policies usually cover all business-related gear, including cameras, lenses, lighting, laptops, and data storage devices. It's always best to confirm what's included when purchasing your policy.

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Photographer Insurance Cost

As a photographer, you capture life’s most important moments. But your business faces unique risks—from damaged gear and client lawsuits to on-set accidents. Photographer insurance acts as your financial safety net, protecting your business from the unexpected so you can focus on your craft.

This guide will break down the types of insurance photographers need, what they typically cost, and how you can get the right coverage for your business. We’ve got you covered.

Photographer Insurance

Whether you shoot weddings, portraits, or commercial projects, your work involves valuable equipment, client interactions, and potential liabilities. A single mishap—a guest tripping over a light stand, a corrupted memory card, or stolen gear—could lead to thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs.

Photographer insurance is a suite of policies designed to protect your business from these specific risks. It helps cover legal fees, medical bills, and equipment replacement costs, ensuring that one bad day doesn’t shut down your business.

How Much Does Photographer Insurance Cost?

The cost of photographer insurance can vary, but most photographers pay a median price of just $17 per month, or $200 per year, for general liability coverage.

Your final premium will depend on several factors, including your location, number of employees, annual revenue, and claims history.

Here’s a look at the median costs¹ for the most common policies photographers purchase.

Insurance Policy	Median Monthly Cost	Median Annual Cost
General Liability	$17	$200
Equipment and Business Property	$21	$252
Professional Liability	$36	$430
Workers’ Compensation	$62	$746
Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)	$45	$540

¹Data from Simply Business customers specializing as “photographers” who purchased policies from July 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024. Reflected prices may not include all available policies.

These numbers are based on real policies purchased through our site. But getting a great premium isn’t just about the numbers — it’s about working with a partner that understands your business. And because we work with a range of trusted insurers, you’ll see coverage options to match your business, so you can choose a customized package that works for you and your budget.

What Insurance Does a Photographer Need?

While every photography business is different, most professionals need a combination of the following coverages to be fully protected.

General liability

This is the foundational policy for any photographer. It’s designed to protect your business from the costs of third-party accidents, property damage, and bodily injury claims.

Why You Need It: During a wedding reception, a guest trips over your light stand and breaks their arm. Your general liability policy can cover their medical bills and your legal defense costs if they decide to sue.

Median Cost: $17/month

Equipment and business property

Your gear is your livelihood. This policy, also known as inland marine insurance, protects your cameras, lenses, lighting, and other equipment from theft, damage, or loss, whether you’re at your studio, on location, or traveling between shoots.

Why You Need It: You’re shooting outdoors when a sudden gust of wind knocks over your tripod, smashing your camera and most expensive lens. Equipment insurance can cover the cost to repair or replace your damaged gear.

Median Cost: $21/month

Workers’ compensation insurance

If you have any employees, even part-time assistants or a second shooter, most states require you to have workers’ compensation insurance. It covers medical expenses and lost wages for employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their job.

Why You Need It: Your assistant falls off a step ladder while adjusting lighting in your studio and sprains their ankle. Workers’ comp can cover their doctor’s visits and pay a portion of their lost wages while they are unable to work.

Median Cost: $62/month

Professional liability insurance (errors & omissions)

This coverage is crucial for protecting you from claims of negligence or mistakes in your work. If a client is unhappy with your service and sues you for financial loss, this policy helps cover your legal defense and potential settlements.

Why You Need It: A memory card fails, and you lose all the photos from a client’s wedding. The couple sues you for failing to deliver the promised photos. Professional liability insurance can cover the legal fees and settlement costs associated with the lawsuit.

Median Cost: $36/month

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If a wedding guest trips over my light stand and breaks their arm, which policy covers their medical bills?

Is my camera gear covered by my equipment policy if it’s damaged by an accidental fall during a shoot?

Does my insurance cost more if I shoot large events versus only doing studio portraits?

A client is suing me because their wedding photos were lost when my memory card failed. Is this covered by professional liability insurance?

Are my laptops and hard drives covered under the same policy as my cameras and lenses?

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