Ask Aaduki

Insurance questions asked by Societies' members.

aaduki Q: Dear Aaduki,
I have been told that I need property owners liability cover if I have people to my home or studio. As I rent both properties surely this is wrong? My current public liability insurance I bought over the internet as it was cheaper but I can't find anywhere that it includes property owners liability and when I called my insurance company the girl I spoke with didn't know what property owners' liability was! I need some advice - please help!!!

C, Newcastle

A: Aaduki says: This is where buying cheaper sometimes can count against you. You are responsible for the visitors in your home. If one of them trips over your carpet, rug, front door step etc, and hurts themselves you are responsible and that is why you need the property owners liability cover. The chances are you don't have it on your "cheaper" policy in which case it is only worth ½ of what a standard Public Liability insurance would be! You need to establish if you have it by writing to the company at their address or sending them an email asking for a reply. In the meantime, I am afraid it looks like you will need to purchase the cover separately which means even more expense - possibly another PL cover entirely!

Q: Dear Aaduki,
A friend of mine told me of a horror story she had read on the internet regarding an insurance company that upped the monthly payments for a photographer immediately after he had a claim with them. The policy had not run out and he was in the middle of the insurance year but paid by Direct Debit. Although I am only an amateur I wanted to insure my camera and two lenses as they are very dear to me but I was put off by this story. Is it common for insurance companies to increase the payment the following month after a claim is made and if so, how can you and your industry justify it. I have checked with my local broker who does my car insurance and he said he had never heard of that being done before but is that the way all you insurance companies that insure cameras operate?

P, Swansea

A: Aaduki says: This is one of those situations that makes my blood boil and is an example of why people have a negative view of those in Insurance. I am aware of this case or one similar to this and I have to say that this is not the norm with many insurance companies in this market. I can only assume that this policy was on a "rolling" monthly insurance contract and as such they could cancel with 30 days notice. If not, this Insurance Provider may be breaking the FSA regulations by doing this. We do NOT work this way. You enter an insurance contract for a 12 month contract and the premium is the same even if you make a claim during that period. You premium can be increased at renewal and there may be additional terms ( like improved security following a break in ) that could be added, but this is usually dealt with at renewal or inception of a policy. If you know the name of this Insurance provider my advice would be to steer clear of them or get them to put in writing to you they don't do it! The other way around this policy is of course to pay the premium "up front" - there is no way that an Insurance Provider can suddenly start debiting more money from you then!

Q: Dear Aaduki,
I am exhibiting at a wedding fair - is there any special insurance I need? Will I be covered under my own camera policy?

F, Derby

A: Aaduki says: The insurance you would need for this would be Public Liability (PL) so as long as you have this you should be fine. It is worth a quick call to your Insurance Provider though, just to make sure everything is ok! Some Insurers will not want to cover any equipment or materials that you use. It is ok on an Aaduki policy as long as this is ancillary to your work as a photographer although don't forget, if you have anyone assist you at the fair - the chances are you will need Employers Liability (EL)...

Q: Dear Aaduki,
I am insured with Aaduki and one of my friends is with another company. He gets some cover for personal accident on his policy but it is not included in mine. Should I have this and how much would it cost to add it on?

V, Hampshire

A: Aaduki says: The sort of cover for Personal Accident (PA) that is included in a photo policy generally is not very good. You have to wait a long time to claim and then the payout is usually less than the value of your photography equipment! We do not include this cover as we feel it is not worth having on this policy. However, if you do want PA you can get it from us. Have a look at this month's article and contact us from there.

Q: Dear Aaduki,
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: Aaduki 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 ale to combine all your activities on 1 policy - just make sure you add an additional trading names you are using and good luck with your new venture!

Q: Dear Aaduki,
I am concerned about what to do if I should ever have a claim against me alleging my pictures are shoddy - especially after seeing the case of Mr Bowers in the national press. Is there a way I can ensure that I am covered for this?

M, London

A: Aaduki says: Firstly, you need to make sure you have Professional Indemnity (PI) cover. Going on from this it is difficult to lay out what would exactly happen, as each case is unique, and each insurance company's position is different. I would ensure, at booking, the Bride and Groom have wedding insurance and in the event of a claim ask them to put it in writing to you via email or letter. Once you have done that, call your insurance company and notify them of the chance of a claim! As soon as the letter of complaint comes in then call your insurance company and speak to them and they will advise you from there. NEVER ignore it and hope it goes away as usually it won't and never try and deal with it yourself without input from your insurance provider - you may be making it worse! Most policies will also tell you that you need to notify them as soon as possible!

Q: Dear Aaduki,
I have had an really unfortunate year, in that I have had 3 claims all for silly things that happened. My current insurance company say they are not going to renew me - can they do this?

G, Blackpool

A: Aaduki says: Yes they can! In fact, so you know, they can actually cancel a policy mid term and refund unused premium if they want although they sound like they have been fairly decent about it by letting you go to renewal. Unfortunately for you, you will have to look around for another Insurance provider and you will have to admit that you have been declined renewal. Make sure you tell any new insurer this as if something then happens and you didn't tell them you could be uninsured! I am afraid it also means that whoever you insure with is likely to charge more as they will see you as more of a "risk", although premiums should go back down after a claim free period.

Q: Dear Aaduki,
Are the Aaduki Boys going to be back at the Convention and can we take pictures of them or with them?

A, Windsor

A: Aaduki says: The Aaduki Boys will be back at the Convention and hopefully you will see up to 8 of them as well! There are a total of 12 boys and they have been touring the country at Photographic Shows! Yes, you can take pictures of them or with them and the Boys will be more than happy for that! It is nice to get some appreciation of them! Come and see me at the Convention at the stand and I will introduce you to them!

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