Photographer insurance

Specialist cover for photographers from £11 a month*

  • Fast, easy online quote in 90 seconds

  • 24hr legal advice helpline and legal hub

  • No hidden fees or cancellation charges

For over 25 years Markel Direct has offered photographer insurance to photographers of all specialisms. Whether you’re helping clients make lasting memories or shooting products for an online business, photographers insurance can keep your business protected should the worst happen.

Our experience gives us specialist knowledge of the risks facing your profession and our policies are designed to protect you from them.

What is photographer insurance?

Photographer insurance is designed to protect your photography business and act as a safety net. From equipment insurance to cover against any costs caused by camera damage during a shoot, through to professional negligence claims from unhappy clients, who feel you’ve provided inadequate services.

Do photographers need insurance?

If a client deemed your wedding photos poor quality, or you caused damage to property during a photo shoot, you would potentially have to settle a claim out of your own pocket. Our photographers insurance provides cover against these types of claims, as well as giving you the option to insure your camera and other photography equipment against loss, theft, accidental damage and more. Whether you’re a new photographer or someone more experienced, despite your best efforts accidents can happen.

What kind of photographers are covered?

We’ve helped photographers of all types to safeguard their business by taking out specialist cover. Types of photographers we insure include:

  • Wedding photographers
  • Commercial photographers
  • Freelance photographers
  • Fashion photographers
  • Sports photographers
  • And many more

If your livelihood relies on the click of a camera, we can help.

Are you a videographer? Find out more about videographer insurance.

What insurance do photographers need?

Having photographer insurance in place can cover against loss, theft and damage, but few realise the importance of other types of insurance cover. Regardless of whether you work as a full time professional or as a part-time freelancer, without the right insurance for photographers in place, your business could face financial challenges following a claim.

Photography equipment insurance

From damaged cameras to stolen laptops, equipment insurance is a worthwhile consideration to act as a safety net. Your equipment is your livelihood and any delay due to damaged or stolen equipment, could result in cancelled shoots and a financial loss. 

Why choose Markel for photographers insurance?

At Markel, we understand the importance of having photographers’ insurance that meets the specific needs of your business. With over 25 years’ experience insuring small businesses, consultants, contractors and self-employed professionals, we know exactly what our customers are looking for. Here are just some of the reasons to buy photographer insurance from us:

✔ Cover starting from £11 a month*
We feel that our policies provide excellent value for money, which will enable you to find photographer insurance that fits your budget.

✔ Highly rated by customers
We provide insurance to more than 200,000 micro businesses and are highly rated by our customers at Feefo.com.

✔ Get a quote in 90 seconds
Getting a quote with us is quick and easy. Simply fill in our online form and we’ll provide you with the information you need in no time.

✔ Tailored photographer insurance
We provide tailored photographer insurance designed to suit your business and the way you like to work.

*Price based on a photographer requiring £1 million of professional indemnity and public liability

How much is insurance for a photography business?

At Markel Direct, we offer photographers insurance from £11 a month for professional indemnity and public liability insurance, with a £1 million level of cover*. The price of photography insurance varies from business to business depending on;

  • The size of your business - your turnover and whether you have any employees
  • The level of cover you choose
  • The value of your assets you need to insure

We provide the option to pay by interest free direct debit, so you're sure to find comprehensive photographers insurance that's right for you. Get an online quote now!

We’ve also created a guide for you to find out more about photographer’s insurance.

*Price based on a photographer requiring £1 million of professional indemnity and public liability

Customer reviews

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Rated 4.8 stars from 351 customer reviews at Google

Cover starting at £11 a month

Tailor your insurance with these covers

  • Public liability and professional indemnity insurance

    Public liability and professional indemnity insurance offers comprehensive protection against the cost of defending you against allegations of professional negligence (such as failing to provide an acceptable level of photography to a client) and if unsuccessful, the cost of damages awarded against you.

    In addition, it covers the cost of defending your business (including damages awarded against you if unsuccessful) if someone is injured, or their property damaged, which arises from you going about your business. Examples of claims include:

    • You carry out a wedding shoot for a client but the memory card corrupts and you lose all the photos. The client brings a claim against you for the cost of a reshoot.
    • You carry out a shoot for a commercial client but you fail to capture key elements the client requested. They take legal action against you for the cost of a replacement photographer and shoot.
    • A wedding guest trips over your tripod, injures themselves and ruins an expensive dress. They make a personal injury claim against you seeking compensation and send you an invoice for the cost of replacing the dress.
    • A client trips over a cable at a shoot and injures themselves. They make a personal injury claim against you seeking compensation.
    • A venue alleges that your tripod has scratched an expensive floor and sends you an invoice for the costs to repair it.

    This cover is vital for photographers of all styles, and many venues or clients will require you to have cover in place before letting you start work. Limits range from £1m to £5m.

  • Employer's liability insurance

    Employer’s liability insurance is a legal requirement if your business has employees. It covers your business against claims for injury or illness suffered by employees arising from their employment.

    An example of a claim would be:

    While on location, your assistant slips and breaks their ankle. They make a personal injury claim against you seeking compensation
    Cover for £10m.

  • Legal expenses insurance

    Legal expenses insurance covers the costs of defending you as a director or officer of your company against allegations of wrongful acts and any damages subsequently awarded against you. Cover is also provided for the legal costs and expenses of defending actions for disqualification as a director, investigations and extradition proceedings. Limits range from £100,000 to £5m.

  • Directors and officers insurance

    Directors and officers insurance covers the costs of defending you as a director or officer of your company against allegations of wrongful acts and any damages subsequently awarded against you. Cover is also provided in respect of the legal costs and expenses of defending actions for disqualification as a director, investigations and extradition proceedings. If your photography business is a limited company, you may want to consider this cover. Limits range from £100,000 to £5m.

  • Office and equipment cover

    Office insurance covers your office buildings, office contents and computer equipment against accidental damage (including theft) whilst on your business premises. You can also choose to cover your camera equipment under our business equipment section; you'll have the option to insure your vital equipment, including laptops, mobile phones and expensive design software on a worldwide basis. If your photography business is a full time job, we can insure your business against loss of income and/or additional trading expenses following events, such as a flood or fire at your home, that cause interruption to your work.

  • Occupational personal accident insurance

    Occupational personal accident insurance provides a weekly payment if you are unable to work due to temporary total disablement (subject to a 14 day deferment period).

    In the event of loss of limbs, sight, speech, hearing, permanent total disablement or death, a lump sum would be paid out.

    If you were injured in the course of your work as a photographer, and would struggle to maintain an income if you were unable to work following the accident, you should consider having occupational personal accident insurance to help ease the financial burden.

  • Cyber and data risks insurance

    Cyber insurance pays the costs of restoring data and equipment, informing clients, meeting ransom demands and loss of your net profit following a cyber attack. It also pays your legal defence costs and damages you are legally liable to pay to other parties. If you hold confidential information about your clients (including their photographs and backups) on computers and other internet connected devices, you should give consideration to this cover.

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Frequently asked questions

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Cover starting at £11 a month

Frequently asked questions

  • Why do photographers need insurance?

    Ensuring you have the appropriate level of cover is a worthwhile consideration. From cover for lost, stolen or damaged camera kit that needs to be replaced, through to potential claims arising of professional negligence from clients. If you have people working for your business, you are obliged by law to take out employers’ liability cover. At Markel Direct we can provide you with a photographer insurance quote in under 90 seconds.

     

  • I do shoots in both studios and on location - am I covered for both?

    Yes. Many of our clients undertake shoots in their own/a rented studio as well as on location and our photography insurance covers this.

  • I do more than one type of photography - is this covered?

    Yes. We don't restrict the types of photography you do so if, for example, you split your time between shooting portraits during the week and weddings at the weekend, you'll be covered by our policy.

  • Is my photography equipment insured if I leave it in my car?

    Yes, provided that:

    • The property is concealed in a locked boot or stowage area within the vehicle
    • All points of access to the vehicle are securely locked and security devices put in full and proper operation
    • Force is used to gain entry to the vehicle and such entry causes external and visible damage to the vehicle

  • Does the policy cover the use of drones?

    No. We are currently unable to cover the use of drones or other types of aerial vehicle as part of your business' activities.

  • What limit of cover should I choose?

    Many clients and industry bodies with regulatory requirements will require you to have a minimum level of cover in order for you to undertake a contract, so it's worth checking this before you arrange cover. If you're unsure, give some thought to a worst-case scenario and the likely costs involved in putting your mistake right. We offer a range of limits on insurance for photographers, so you're sure to find the right cover for your business.

  • How are Markel Direct regulated?

    Markel International Insurance Company Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Find out more on the Financial Services Register.

Access free legal services when you arrange photographer insurance with Markel Direct

In addition to the specialist cover you'll receive for your photography business, we offer our customers exclusive access to a range of services (included as standard with the relevant section of cover) - designed to help make your life easier.

24 hour legal helpline  24 hour legal advice helpline

When you insure with Markel, you'll benefit from 24/7 telephone access to a qualified solicitor at no additional cost. Expert legal advice can be costly when you're working for yourself and it's difficult to know who to turn to for a trustworthy answer. Whether it's a question on health and safety, employment law, legal structures for your business or how to handle a difficult client, an experienced team of solicitors are on hand day and night to help you with any business-related legal queries. Included as standard with all policies.

Legal hub access Markel Business Hub access

In addition to our 24 hour legal helpline, you'll have access to the Markel Business Hub - an award winning online resource of legal and business guides, templates and content written and created by our team of expert solicitors. Instantly download ready-made contracts, policies, procedures and guidance you can use for your business - without paying any expensive legal fees. Included as standard with all policies.

  Fee dispute service

Managing cashflow is a challenge for all photographers and chasing unpaid invoices or fees wastes valuable time when you could be working. We offer our policyholders access to a unique fee dispute helpline operated by one of the UK's leading law firms, who will provide specialist legal guidance and support on fee dispute issues. Included as standard with public liability and professional indemnity insurance.

  Public relations crisis management service

Public relations disasters can occur at any time, particularly when something goes wrong following an emotionally charged event, such as a weddings or party. When there is a risk to your business as a result of negative press attention, our specialist public relations crisis management firm, The Counsel House, will work with you to help manage allegations of fraud, injury caused to employees or the public, and official investigations into your company's affairs. Included as standard with public liability and professional indemnity insurance, directors and officers insurance, cyber and data risks insurance and legal representation and employment disputes insurance.

  Cyber response helpline

If your photography business is the victim of a targeted cyber attack, our cyber response helpline provides access to specialist solicitors and information security experts who will give expert legal and technical IT security guidance on the issues arising from cyber and data protection risks. Included as standard with cyber and data risks insurance.

Cover starting at £11 a month

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