Ask Nik

Insurance questions asked by Society members.

Q: Dear Nik,

I recently hired a camera from a professional hire company and they charged me an additional 10% for the insurance even though I had my own. Is this allowed?

R, Leeds

A: Nik says: A lot of hire companies do this and the answer is it will depend on their Terms and Conditions. Certainly if they are “selling” insurance they will need to be regulated by the Financial Service Authority so I would ask them for their FSA register number or check online at www.fsa.gov.uk and look for the register. If they are not registered then they shouldn’t be selling it! Aaduki have a close affiliation with www.hireacamera.com and they definitely don’t insist you buy insurance from them – in fact, they don’t sell it! As long as you can produce a cover note then that should be fine and if you are insured with Aaduki they will do all the necessary checks direct with us!

Q: Dear Nik,
I went to a shopping centre recently to arrange to have a stall there and they wanted £10 million Public Liability. Surely this is overkill?

J, Kent

A: Nik says: Absolutely! I cannot see how you would need this much in a shopping centre. The best thing to do in this case is usually to produce a certificate for the £5 million and tell them not to be so silly! If they insist, we can arrange it for you, but we need a week’s notice and it will cost you! The reason for this is that Insurance Companies themselves have to get permission from THEIR Insurance Company to do it! Expect to pay a minimum of around £300 for this cover.

Q: Dear Nik,
Am I covered if a protest march I am covering turns into a riot?

P. Preston

A: Nik says: A difficult question as it depends on who you’re insured with and what they say! As a general rule, marches are fine but civil commotion and/or riots aren’t! In this case, you would need to convince the insurance company that you were moving away from the “action” when the incident occurred. It also depends on the actual incident itself as well – for example you dropping the camera will be different from having ripped it out of your hands! The best solution is to perhaps get an answer direct from your Insurers.

Q: Dear Nik,
As a wildlife photographer I have insured my equipment with my home insurers. Since I don’t take pictures of people and am rarely around them I shouldn’t need any other cover is this right?

M, Dorset

A: Nik says: In my opinion,no it is not. If you are earning ANY income or expenses then you will need Public Liability cover as a minimum. It may seem that you’re never going to use it but what if you were doing a talk to a camera club and someone tripped over one of your cables? Or someone driving along a moor road alleged that it was the light shining off your lens that made them crash? I would also look at if your household Insurer is the best place to put your equipment cover if you are working too.

Q: Dear Nik,
How would a Insurance Company deal with an allegation where the bride and groom say the pictures are rubbish but the photographer thinks they are of a professional standard?

F, Norfolk

A: Nik says: A difficult question as it depends on the personalities of the bride and groom a lot of the time. Insurers may at times make a payment to “get rid of” the claim – this is not to suggest in anyway they think the pictures are substandard but in the long run paying someone a £1,000 at the beginning of a claim could mean a saving. After all, if it goes to court there are the associated legal fees plus you could lose! Also, the last thing you want is a dis-satisfied couple going to the local paper and trouncing your reputation as your bookings tend to dry up. Sometimes an expert, like your Association, might be asked to comment and advise. There is no easy answer to this I am afraid, it will depend on each claim.

Q: Dear Nik,
I have started to work with nurseries taking pictures of children. I have now been asked for a CRB check – should I get one?

D, Humberside

A: Nik says: There isn’t a requirement on your insurance to have one, but I would suggest that if you want to continue in this line of work then you should have one. As a precaution before you get it, it may be wise to insist that you are not alone with any children – that way no allegations of ANY kind can be levelled at you. If you pop along to a police station and tell them what you want, and why, they can usually arrange it for you. It costs about £60. Alternatively, contact your local Youth Service Team at a Local Authority and ask them to arrange it for you = that might be a good idea because it then lets them know there is a photographer available in case anyone ever asks them…

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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

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Photo Quote: If you are not passionately devoted to an idea, you can make very pleasant pictures but they won't make you cry. - Ruth Bernhard