Insurance for a photographer / videographer: what you need + typical cost.

For your business: GL + Property bundle; many insurers offer photographer-specific endorsements that include equipment floater.

What it covers in general: A Business Owners Policy bundles General Liability and Commercial Property into a single, discounted policy. Often includes business interruption insurance as well.

Typical annual cost: $750–$1,800 (median $990) · Insureon, Small Business Insurance Cost

For your business: Covers injury/damage at client shoots (a guest tripping over your equipment, damaging a venue).

What it covers in general: Covers claims of bodily injury or property damage that your business causes to others — a customer slipping in your shop, or a contractor accidentally breaking a client's window.

Typical annual cost: $500–$1,560 (median $540) · Insureon, General Liability Cost

For your business: If you lose footage, deliver late, or a client claims the deliverables don't match the brief, E&O covers the dispute.

What it covers in general: Covers claims that your professional advice, service, or work product caused a financial loss to a client — also called Errors & Omissions (E&O) or malpractice insurance.

Typical annual cost: $700–$1,500 (median $876) · Insureon, Professional Liability Cost

For your business: Most photographers are sole proprietors or use independent contractors. Required only if you have W-2 employees.

What it covers in general: Pays for medical expenses and lost wages if an employee is injured or becomes ill because of their job. Also protects your business from employee lawsuits over workplace injuries.

Typical annual cost: $1,200–$8,000 (median $2,500) · Insureon, Workers Compensation Cost

For your business: Camera bodies, lenses, lighting equipment, and storage drives are expensive and frequently transported — a floater is essential.

What it covers in general: Covers your physical business assets — building (if you own it), equipment, inventory, and furniture — against fire, theft, vandalism, and certain weather events.

Typical annual cost: $970–$1,570 (median $1,270) · Insureon, Commercial Property Cost

For your business: Client files, contracts, and payment info are at risk. A breach affecting a wedding photographer's client data is a real scenario.

What it covers in general: Covers losses from data breaches, ransomware attacks, and cyber fraud — including notification costs, credit monitoring for affected customers, legal fees, and regulatory fines.

Typical annual cost: $1,440–$2,160 (median $1,800) · Insureon, Cyber Liability Cost

For your business: Required if you use a vehicle primarily for commercial deliveries or client transport, not just driving to shoots.

What it covers in general: Covers vehicles used for business purposes — work trucks, vans, cars driven to client sites — against accidents, liability, and damage. Personal auto policies specifically exclude commercial use.

Typical annual cost: $1,760–$2,940 (median $2,350) · Insureon, Commercial Auto Cost

For your business: Useful if you work high-value events where a major incident could lead to large claims.

What it covers in general: Adds an extra layer of liability coverage above your GL, Professional Liability, and/or Auto limits. Pays claims that exceed your primary policy limits.

Typical annual cost: $750–$1,500 (median $1,030) · Insureon, Umbrella Liability Cost

Does my equipment insurance cover gear in a checked airline bag?

Most policies cover equipment in transit, including checked baggage, BUT often with a sub-limit ($2K-$5K) for checked items. Carry a copy of your detailed inventory (with serial numbers) and never check anything irreplaceable — for high-value gear, ship via insured courier or carry on, period.

If a wedding's photo files are lost or corrupted, am I liable?

Yes — that's the textbook E&O claim for wedding photographers. Settlements typically run $5K-$25K and your contract should specify a refund cap, but lawsuits often demand more. E&O covers defense and any judgment. Best mitigation: dual-card recording in-camera, immediate offsite backup, and insurance.

Do I need separate drone insurance?

Yes — most general E&O and equipment policies exclude unmanned aerial systems. A separate drone liability policy ($300-$1,000/year) covers third-party injury and property damage from drone operation, which is what FAA Part 107 commercial-pilot rules effectively require for any paid drone work.