Preproduction. Post production. Lights. Camera. Action. As a videographer, you strive to be in control of nearly every aspect of your production and the story you’re telling.
The same may not be true of the business side of your videography operation. Unscripted risks, hazards, and just plain bad luck can often lead to a not-so-happy ending. That’s where insurance for your videographer business can play a valuable supporting role.
This guide will walk you through a few basic insurance coverages, demonstrate how they can benefit a videography business, and help you choose what you need quickly and easily.
The If-Then Guide to Coverages for Videographers
General Liability Insurance
If you work in a studio or on location and there’s a chance of accidentally damaging property or a client getting hurt in the process, then you should consider general liability (GL) insurance.
General liability insurance is like your camera. You shouldn’t show up to a shoot without it. It can cover costs related to third-party accidents, property damage, and bodily injury. In fact, you may be required by your client or the facility where you’re shooting to have general liability insurance coverage.
If a client trips over your lighting stand at a shoot and gets hurt, then general liability can cover their medical expenses. Or if the light stand is knocked over and shatters a sliding glass door, then general liability insurance can help with repair or replacement costs.
General liability also can cover instances of personal or advertising injury. If you inadvertently capture footage of an individual and use it without their consent, your GL coverage can help cover legal costs if you face a lawsuit.
Inland Marine Insurance
If you have cameras, lenses, drones, editing gear, and other valuable gear, then you may want to consider inland marine insurance to protect them.
This coverage is also referred to as Tools and Equipment Insurance, and it helps cover gear that may be stolen or damaged. If your high-end video camera is stolen from your vehicle while on location, then inland marine insurance can help pay for a new one. Or if a sudden gust of wind blows your drone into a building wall, then this coverage can help repair or replace it.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
If you have full- or part-time employees, then you may need workers’ compensation insurance, as almost every state requires it by law.
Workers’ Comp can cover medical expenses and lost income if an employee gets hurt or sick while on the job. It also can financially protect your business from lawsuits that could be filed by an injured worker.
Let’s say your assistant is moving gear from the van to the shooting area. They lift a case the wrong way and hurt their back. If they need medical care and time off from work, then workers’ comp can cover their medical bills and a portion of their lost wages.
If you’re the entire crew for your productions, you may want to consider workers’ comp for yourself. This coverage can provide workers’ comp benefits if an accident or an injury takes you out of action. You can find out more here.
Professional Liability Insurance
If you’re accused of negligence, a mistake, oversight, or poor performance by a customer (even if you think you’ve done nothing wrong), then this insurance can help cover claims and legal costs to defend yourself.
Professional liability insurance is also known as errors and omissions (E&O) insurance. It’s designed to protect you against claims of negligence, errors, or omissions.
Imagine spending eight hours filming a corporate video, only to discover there’s a defective camera memory card, which means crucial footage is missing. With no time for a reshoot, the video can’t be delivered for your client’s quarterly earnings meeting.
If your client sues you, then a professional liability policy can cover the cost of damages, as well as the legal fees.
The Certainty of Uncertainty
As a videographer you tend to live by the adage, “If it’s not on the page, it’s not on the stage.” But that doesn’t always apply to events outside your camera’s view. Knowing your business is financially protected from a variety of risks can end with a happy ending.
The Assurance of Insurance
That’s where we come in. We’ve insured more than 1 million small businesses worldwide. We know how much owners such as you value the peace of mind the correct insurance coverage can provide. We also know how to take the hassle, confusion, and time commitment out of the buying insurance process.
With just one online form and 10 minutes of your day, we can help find the coverages you need from trusted insurers who specialize in protecting small businesses like yours. You get to choose the work best for you and your business. In fact, you can get started right now, right here. We’re certain of that.
Looking for more information about business insurance? We specialize in that, too. Here’s some helpful information we recommend:
What is Professional Liability Insurance? A Guide for Small Business Owners