Ask Aaduki

Insurance questions asked by Societies' members.

aaduki Q: Hi Aaduki,
I have three assistant photographers who work with me on different projects. I have Aaduki PL, PI and ELI insurance. I know my 2nd shooters are covered when they are working with me... but what about when they are not? For example, I have two weddings booked on a certain day. I'm going to shoot one and my 2nd shooter will shoot the other. Is he still covered under my policy for that work? The job is being delivered by my company, the contract is with me.

PB, London

A: Aaduki says: The contract is with you, you have PL and PI and Employers Liability so there is no problem - yes, you're covered!

Q: Hi Aaduki,
I have been asked to do some work overseas for a charity in an area of the world that is quite dangerous. I cannot find anyone to do travel insurance to cover me - do you have any ideas?

JK, Manchester

A: Aaduki says: This has traditionally been a problem but if you give the office a call they should now be able to do it. This was a scheme being launched for Journalists at Focus on Imaging but it is available now if you need it. You will need to check with your Insurance Provider about the equipment cover though...

Q: Dear Aaduki,
On the forums it says that Aaduki doesn't cover equipment in a car after 9pm. Is this correct? I sometimes am at weddings until nearly midnight before I travel home and I need to make sure I have cover!

FD, Winchester

A: Aaduki says: On our policies theft from unattended vehicles is from 6am until 9pm. You can extend this if you require it - you just need to tell us and pay a small additional premium. If you need cover after 9pm make sure you request it and there is no problem subject to some simple terms!

Q: Dear Aaduki,
I only use a computer at home and don't take a laptop with me to a shoot. Is this covered on my household insurance or do I need to insure it on my camera policy?

SC, Brighton

A: Aaduki says: It really will depend on your household insurer so I won't be able to give you much advice on this. If you use it predominantly for business use then there will be an expectation that it should be insured on your professional policy. If however it is a family computer that is used occasionally for your work then that would be a different matter. I would advise giving your household insurer a ring and seeing what they say.

Q: Dear Aaduki
My current household insurer won't cover me because I am working from home as a photographer. Is there anyone who could offer me cover as a home based professional photographer?

BD, Carlisle

A: Aaduki says: This shouldn't really be a problem nowadays as Insurers have come a long way in the last few years and recognise people are changing their work habits! That being said, just give me a call - Aaduki have a household policy that can cover you for the bits your professional photographers policy won't.

Q: Dear Aaduki
Can I use my pro cameras when I go on holiday and still be covered by my photographic policy?

TG, Bath

A: Aaduki says: I think this will depend on who your insured with. Certainly at Aaduki we wouldn't have any problem with this. You will need to make sure if you are flying that they go on the plane with you - or in a peli-case or similar if going in the hold with the airline aware of what is inside. Obviously be careful on the beach and around water and most importantly, make sure you have a great holiday!

Q: Hi Aaduki
When I am calculating my new for old cost, should I add the cost of the software onto my computer replacement cost?

V, London

A: Aaduki says: This will depend on how you "bought" the software. If it came pre-loaded onto the computer, or you purchased a download or disc where you still have the original disc or password then you should be ok as long as that isn't lost too. If the software was a "one use" item where it cannot be reloaded onto another replacement machine then yes you should look at insuring this. Remember of course, that whilst the original software might go down in price the replacement is likely to be more expensive!

Q: Hi Aaduki
I have looked at my policy and it says I am only covered in the car from 6am to 9pm and I am quite often out at night late shooting. Is this the maximum cover available for unattended vehicles?

G, Surrey

A: Aaduki says: No it isn't! Most policies have this restriction on it but if you are likely to exceed these times then just ask for the extension to the timings. Usually the extension covers you without a time limit provided you are a certain distance away from home or where you are staying for the night - this is to stop photographers leaving all the equipment in the car whilst they are tucked up in bed! It will cost you a nominal £20.00 to add this on and can be done with a simple phone call to the office. If you are up for renewal, just ask them to add it on for you before you renew to save sending out any more paperwork.

Q: Hi Aaduki
I have just set up a photographic business from home and when I told my house insurers they now don't want to cover me! Is there anything you can suggest?

L, Devon

A: Aaduki says: This is quite a common problem with home insurers - they are worried about the risk under Public Liability (PL) if a business visitor hurts themselves. The thing to do here is to make sure you have a professional photographic policy in force as this will pick up the PL risk for your customers. If you are still having a problem with house insurance after this then give our Surrey Office a call on 01737 735050 - they offer a household insurance product that is designed to be more flexible and can cover photographers working from home under it.

Q: Hi Aaduki
I want to take a stand at a wedding fair and they are telling me I need exhibition insurance. What is it?

F, Dorset

A: Aaduki says: The Organiser is getting confused here - they need exhibition insurance! All you will need for this is Public Liability (PL) cover. If you have a professional business insurance policy then this should be covered under that. Some exhibitions will ask for £5 million but to be honest £2 million should suffice. A quick call to your insurers should clear this up!

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