Ask Nik

Insurance questions asked by Society members.

Q: Hi Nik,
I photographed a wedding a month or so ago and the couple have now complained about the quality of the pictures and are claiming that I missed important shots when I followed their remit exactly! My insurance company doesn’t want to know as I don’t have Professional Indemnity cover and I am at my wits end! The couple are threatening me with court and I simply don’t know what to do!

L, Newcastle

A: Nik says: I am really sorry to hear that you have this problem. The first thing to do is to get the couple to put in writing to you what their complaint is exactly. If they are being speculative, this should put them off and no court in the land will take them seriously if they haven’t come back to you first! Secondly, use your membership of the SWPP to help. Call the legal helpline number you have and chat to them – they should give you some sound advice and be able to assist – although you should prepare yourself for the worst just in case. Ask the SWPP to review the pictures on your behalf and give you a report on them too. Finally, if you really cannot seem to get it resolved then contact me and I will try and do what I can to help.

Q: Hi Nik,
I have bought a lot of my equipment second hand – some of it from ebay so I don’t have receipts. The problem is on the new for old cost I wouldn’t be able to prove I own it what should I do?

M, Hertfordshire

A: Nik says: You should still have your ebay receipts and this should suffice. The other thing to do is to take a photograph of the equipment next to a daily newspaper clearly showing the date, a utility bill showing your address and your passport opened on the picture page. Most Insurers should regard that as being reasonable proof to say you own the equipment – after all your hardly likely to do it if you don’t! Ask your Insurance Provider if this is ok though just to make sure. The other thing to do is register it with the manufacturer through their professional services. Let me know how you get on.

Q: Hi Nik,
I have looked at a number of insurance policies and they all say to be covered for theft from unattended vehicles my equipment must be locked in the boot. The trouble is I drive an estate car and it only has a parcel shelf not a boot! Can I get cover for this?

D, Berkshire

A: Nik says: You should check with your insurance company if they will allow this and read the small print in regards to theft from unattended vehicles. I cannot comment on the insurance company you are with – but can I say Aaduki would cover it provided the equipment was out of sight and the car was locked and you were within the total allowed unattended as shown on your policy. Make sure you keep the parcel shelf in too. Just make sure you do not have any external advertising showing that you are a photographer – if you do then that could cause a problem!

Q: Hi Nik,
I have reviewed my equipment list and have about £8,000 worth of equipment. The thing is about £2,000 of this is under £150 which is the excess. Should I not bother cover this – after all there is no point in paying a premium for equipment that I cannot claim for is there?

M, Cornwall

A: Nik says: I would agree that there is no point in paying a premium for equipment that you cannot claim for – but that is not the case in this instance. If you had a total loss, you would expect your insurance company to pay for ALL the equipment therefore you should make sure you insure all the equipment. There is also something called “averaging” which every insurance company uses – and you will find in their terms and conditions. What this means is, if you only insure ½ of your equipment and you lose everything, then the insurance company will only pay ½ of your claim as you knowingly underinsured! To put this into figures, if you have £10,000 and only insure £5,000 and then lose everything – don’t expect the insurance company to pay more than £2,500 i.e. ½ the claim! Don’t get caught out by this – every insurance company uses averaging and the only time you find out is when it is too late!.

Q: Hi Nik,
I want to take some pictures from a helicopter but my insurer will not cover me – apparently there is too much of a risk! I don’t understand what the problem is can you help?

J, Renfrewshire

A: Nik says: There is more of a risk in case you drop your camera and it hits someone – from the height you are it will undoubtedly kill them and that would be a BIG Public Liability claim. Having said that, if you are taking reasonable precautions – remaining strapped in, camera secured round your neck etc then it is unlikely there is anymore of a significant risk than if you were on the ground. If you cannot get cover form your current insurer then give our office a call. You will have to have an annual policy with us but we can extend the cover to helicopters! By the way, make sure you’re not piloting it – unsurprisingly, insurers aren’t keen in extending cover if you are…

Q: Hi Nik,
As well as taking pictures I do some web design work and sell websites. Would I be able to cover this under one policy?

G, Staffordshire

A: Nik says: A difficult one this – it depends on what you are designing, for who, and if you are providing the images or sourcing them elsewhere. The best thing to do with this kind of policy is to give us a ring at the Office on 01837 658880. We should be able to do it – but sometimes insurers get funny so you may have to have 2 policies. Whatever you do, don’t just assume you will be covered – you need to discuss it with us first!

Page 1 - Page 2 - Page 3 - Page 4 - Page 5 - Page 6 - Page 7 - Page 8 - Page 9 - Page 10

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: All I wanted was to connect my moods with those of Paris. Beauty pains and when it pained most, I shot. - Ernst Haas