Ask Nik

Insurance questions asked by Society members.

Q: Dear Nik,
In light of the recent riots in London if I go and take pictures of them and something happens to my equipment am I covered?

H, Brixton

A: Nik says: This will depend in part on who you are ensure with through us. A majority of our Insurers do not exclude riot and civil commotion BUT they will expect you to abide by national guidelines and “best practice” of news gatherers. If you are a wedding photographer that goes out and the Insurance Company has no knowledge of you undertaking this work and you have no experience then expect some very firm questioning from them – they may even decide you have not shown a “duty of care” but if, on the other hand you have “news” on your insurance policy as one of the disciplines then I would fully expect you to be covered under most of our policies. A quick call to the office would be in order to check!

Q: Dear Nik,
I have been asked to go and shoot a wedding in Spain and just wanted to know would my insurance with you cover me?

M, London

A: Nik says: Generally, if your insured with us, your policy will be up to 60 days worldwide so your equipment is covered. Just be careful how you get it there particularly if you’re flying and remember to store it securely when not in use. For your Public Liability and Professional Indemnity, yes you will be covered but because laws vary from European state to state, any claim will be governed under the law according to England and Wales or EU depending on what it says on your policy Schedule. If you have any doubts, give the office a call.

Q: Dear Nik,
I got a quote from you at the Convention and when I went to take it out at the beginning of march your website had added over £100 to it! Have premiums gone up this much?

J, Herts

A: Nik says: No they haven’t! If you got a quote from us at one of the large shows you would have got a special rate – even better at the Convention in London and that rate is not matchable anywhere else. Quotes are generally valid for 30 days so that is why it was significantly more expensive. We can offer members better prices over the phone than on the website anyway, so it is worth ringing in! I will give you a call and hold the premium for you.

Q: Dear Nik,
I am going abroad for 4 months on an assignment in Australia. Is my equipment covered for that length of time away?

V, Somerset

A: Nik says: It may be! We would need to look at who you were insured with and that should tell us. Some Insurers we use will give you unlimited worldwide cover in safe areas, others up to a maximum of 60 days. It may be possible to extend the 60 days or we might have to change insurers for you. Easiest thing to do is to call into the office and we will work it out for you!

Q: Dear Nik
I have been a photographer for years but because the work is slowing up I have decided to branch into video making as well. Will I need a separate policy for this?

K, Dover

A: Nik says: This will depend on who you are insured with. I can only give you a definitive answer as if you were insured with Aaduki and the short answer is no. You will need to make sure your sums insured are adequate (if you have purchased new equipment) and you will need to let Insurers know the type of video making you are doing. Broadcast work ( i.e. television work) isn’t terribly popular with insurance companies and it may be that you will need a separate policy if your doing this. Generally though, you should be able to combine all your activities on 1 policy – just make sure you add any additional trading names you are using and good luck with your new venture!

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Nik will be answering your questions on insurance in the Professional Imagemaker so if you have a question all you need to do is email:

asknik@swpp.co.uk

Nik Stewert is the National Marketing manager for Aaduki Multimedia Insurance and was the previous Scheme Manager for Imaging Insurance. He has over 10 years experience in the insurance market with over 5 years specifically for photographers, journalists and video makers.

Call us on 01837 658880 for more advice or if you have a specific question.

www.aaduki.com

There are 228 days to get ready for the SWPP Convention and Trade Show at The Hilton London Metropole Hotel ...
which starts on Tuesday 8th January 2013

Photo Quote: What I mean by objectivity is not the objectivity of a machine, but of a sensible human being with the mystery of personal selection at the heart of it. The second challenge has been to impose order onto the things seen and to supply the visual context and the intellectual framework - that to me is the art of photography. - Berenice Abbott American Photographer, 1898-1991