They say cheap photography isn’t good, but that doesn’t mean cheap photography insurance can’t be reliable and provide great coverage. The best photography insurance options are affordable and easy to buy. They make it simple to share a certificate of insurance (COI) with a venue where you are working while being responsive when you have a question. The best photography insurance lets you focus on your craft without worrying about liability or what happens if your equipment gets damaged.
Using our proprietary rubric, we reviewed leading insurers to find the six best photography insurance companies for your business.
- The Hartford: Best photography insurance provider
- Simply Business: Best for finding the cheapest photography insurance
- Next Insurance: Best for photography equipment insurance
- Thimble: Best for freelance photographers
- Full Frame: Best for quick coverage
- Hiscox: Best for travel photographers
Insurance designed for small businesses – fast, simple, and affordable |
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Best Insurance for Photographers Compared
Company | Quote Process | Policy Purchase | Accessibility | Instant COI | Financial Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Online | Online or over the phone | 24/7 call center | ✓ | A+ (Superior) |
 | Online | Online or over the phone | Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET | ✓ | A++ (Superior) |
 | Online | Online or over the phone | Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. CT | ✓ | A- (Excellent) |
 | Online or through its app | Online or through its app | Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET | ✓ | A (Excellent) |
 | Online | Online or over the phone | Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. MT | ✓ | A- (Excellent) |
 | Online | Online or over the phone | Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–10 p.m. ET | ✓ | A (Excellent) |
The Hartford: Best Photography Insurance Provider
Pros
- Quickly get online quotes
- Insurance for solopreneurs or larger businesses
- 24/7 claims service
Cons
- Same-day coverage is not available
- You may have to call to finish the quote or be referred to another provider
Standout Features
- Has equipment coverage that can include lost income because of damaged or lost equipment
- Allows customization of photography insurance, with add-ons to fit your business (e.g., drone liability insurance)
- Allows you to manage your policy or quickly generate a COI through your online account
- Offers scheduled equipment insurance that applies to losses where the equipment is lost or damaged and follows the equipment regardless of where it goes
Financial Stability: Founded over 200 years ago, The Hartford has maintained a solid financial reputation. AM Best rated The Hartford an A+ (Superior).
With a highly customizable insurance package for photographers, The Hartford is the best overall provider of photography insurance. For example, if your businesses use drones, you can purchase unmanned aircraft coverage.
This policy protects the drones and people at events you’re working at. Beyond the coverage options, you can count on an in-house team to handle your claims, underwriters who can draw on over 200 years of data, and customer service available 24/7.
However, coverage is usually unavailable on the same day, and you may have to call to purchase the policy. It also has no mobile application for business owners. So, if you value being able to use an app to manage your policy, then check out Next Insurance.
We received a business owner’s policy (BOP) quote for a home-based business priced at $485 annually. The BOP had $10,000 in property coverage for the camera equipment, with a deductible of $1,000. It also carried liability limits of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate. The liability contained product and completed operations.
The Hartford lets you customize the limits to fit your business needs. For example, on this quote, we could select per-occurrence liability limits as low as $500,000 and as high as $2 million. Drone liability coverage is at $137.
The Hartford ranked third in J.D. Power’s 2023 US Independent Agent Satisfaction Study, which means that independent agents have great experience working with the company.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) monitors complaints filed with state-level departments of insurance. Complaints filed against The Hartford are lower than the national average.
Customer reviews support the findings of the above agencies; customers can publish experiences of a claim with The Hartford on its website. There are nearly 500 reviews for general liability claims, and customers have given The Hartford an average score of 4.8 out of 5.
Having spent most of my time in insurance working on the claims, let me tell you: Even when everything goes right, you rarely hear a customer give such positive responses like the ones given to The Hartford.
Simply Business: Best for Finding Cheapest Photography Insurance
Pros
- Quickly compare quotes
- Purchase same-day coverage
Cons
- Minimal account maintenance
- Claims filing process is not user-friendly
- Commercial property insurance may not be available online
Standout Features
- Has a unique quoting system where you can adjust coverage in real time and get updated quotes
- Provides a quick and simple online quote process that lets you compare quotes from top providers (e.g., we received four quotes while researching this article, making it a great way to find cheap photography insurance)
- Lets you gain immediate access to your policy documents after purchasing a policy
- Works with top-rated carriers, letting you compare quotes within minutes of starting
Financial Stability: While Simply Business works with top-rated carriers to provide quick insurance solutions, it is owned by Travelers. AM Best’s rating of Travelers is A++ (Superior).
Simply Business is an online digital brokerage focusing on small business insurance. Within minutes, you can compare quotes and purchase a policy without speaking to anyone. If you prefer to talk to a representative, you can always call and speak with an advisor. Comparing rates from different carriers and assessing which coverage is available for what price are excellent ways for a photographer to find the cheapest photography insurance.
As a broker, Simply Business is the only listed provider in this guide that lets you compare prices from different providers in real time. However, it doesn’t service the policy. This means you can request changes to your policy through it, but if you have a claim, you’ll need to contact the carrier directly to let them handle it. This arrangement has the potential to create some confusion.
If you prefer working with one company from the start to the end of your policy term, check out Hiscox. It is a provider that works with brokers, but you can purchase a policy directly through it, and it will be the sole point of contact.
We received four quotes for general liability insurance. Each one carried the same limit: $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, along with additional coverages that are part of general liability, like damage to premises rented to you and product and completed operations liability.
- $200 annually from Harborway Insurance
- $299 annually from RLI
- $347 annually from Hiscox
- $350 annually from Accredited
Two of the quotes, RLI and Hiscox, indicated additional coverage was available. For Harborway, professional liability was available for an extra $48. RLI had $5,000 for tools and equipment included with the general liability policy.
Simply Business also sells workers’ comp and cyber liability.
Simply Business is licensed in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. It offers online account maintenance, where you can access your policy documents and request a COI.
Customer reviews are overall positive. There are over 1,300 reviews on Trustpilot, with 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Unfortunately, if you want to speak with a licensed agent or someone to assist you, its hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, with no weekend availability.
Next Insurance: Best for Photography Equipment Insurance
Pros
- Purchase insurance online easily
- Save up to 25% on your premium
- Licensed agents to advise you
Cons
- Does not maintain a 24/7 claims call center
- Coverage options are not as extensive as a larger carrier
Standout Features
- Offers a user-friendly app for 24/7 access to policy, claims filing, and COI creation, available on iOS and Android
- For 72% of its customers, the average cost to insure equipment is $28 or less a month.
- Its commercial property insurance covers damaged equipment or inventory, lost income, and operating expenses
Financial Stability: Despite being founded in 2015, Next Insurance has already established its financial position. Next Insurance’s AM Best rating is A- (Excellent).
A relatively new company, Next Insurance is a digital, direct-to-consumer, dedicated small business insurance company. It has created an easy-to-use quoting process for getting a quote and purchasing a policy within minutes. Or, if you have insurance, you can create and share a COI within seconds whenever a venue requests proof of insurance. This factor makes it a great option for photographers who work with event venues regularly.
Because Next Insurance is still a new provider, it doesn’t have coverage options as robust as those of a more established provider like The Hartford. While it offers the basics, if you are interested in more options for your business, then check out The Hartford.
We received a quote for a general liability insurance policy that costs $200 annually. If paying monthly, the first and last months were due at purchase, and then you’d owe 10 payments of $16.67. Because it is a direct-to-consumer provider, its prices are usually lower. Customers can save up to 25% when purchasing insurance directly from Next.
Next Insurance also offers commercial property insurance with a limit of up to $25,000.
Despite its newness, Next is establishing itself with exceptional convenience. Online, you can manage your policy, get an instant COI, and file a claim.
Customers are happy with their experience of having Next Insurance as their provider. According to the NAIC, complaints are lower than expected, and on its website,[3] there are currently over 3,500 reviews from customers, most of them very positive.
Thimble: Best for Freelance Photographers
Pros
- Short-term coverage available
- Customizable liability limits
- Quickly adjust limits for venue requirements
Cons
- No in-house claims team
- No 24/7 call center for claims
- Can be very difficult to reach a person during regular business hours
Standout Features
- Lets you manage policies and claims and even purchase insurance through Thimble’s app
- Offers short-term liability insurance available by the hour, day, or month
- Lets you create and share an instant COI in 60 seconds through the app
- Allows you to get a quote and purchase a policy in minutes for same-day coverage
Financial Stability: Most Thimble policies are written through Markel or National Specialty Insurance Company (NSIC). Markel’s AM Best rating and NSIC’s AM Best rating are both an A (Excellent).
Thimble Insurance gives users the option to purchase insurance by the hour, by the day, or for an extended time. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to find another provider that offers short-term coverage with that level of flexibility. This makes Thimble ideal for a freelance photographer or a photographer with a day job. For example, if you work special events seasonally, you can purchase a policy for one month.
The company is only available during weekdays and does not handle its claims, although its app can function as a 24/7 call center. If you would like a provider that is available 24/7 and handles its own claims, then The Hartford would be the best option.
We received quotes for liability, property, and equipment. The general liability carried $1 million in total coverage, and it had $25,000 in equipment and property coverage with a $500 deductible. It costs $480 annually.
The liability and property had multiple options to adjust the limits to fit your business. For example, you can select a liability limit of $300,000, $500,000, or $1 million.
Thimble’s convenience comes down to its app, available on iOS and Android. You can get a quote, purchase a policy, manage the policy, and file a claim online or via the app.
This provider is a managing general agent, so it does not fall under the NAIC for complaints. Because it works with several providers, it’s hard to pinpoint which carrier you may end up working with directly. However, Thimble has about 2,000 reviews on Trustpilot, with 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Full Frame: Best for Quick Coverage
Pros
- Purchase insurance for photographers or videographers
- Easy-to-use quoting system
- Manage your account online 24/7
Cons
- It can take up to 7 days for an adjuster to make contact
- It does not have a 24/7 call center for claims
- Insurance is not offered in New York
Standout Features
- Enables you to get a quote and purchase a policy in 10 minutes or less through its simple, progressive system that guides you in building your coverage
- Offers photography insurance that’s affordable and is created specifically for photographers
- Allows you to create a COI or manage your policy, payments, and claims through an online account
- Provides a straightforward way to build coverage based on your needs, including for photography equipment and professional liability.
Financial Stability: These policies are underwritten by Fortegra. AM Best’s rating of Fortegra is A- (Excellent).
Offering policy packages starting as low as $59 annually for event insurance or $129 annually for liability, Full Frame is the best provider for quick photography insurance. Unfortunately, it does not handle your claim, and while you have 24/7 access to your policy documents, it has no 24/7 call center.
A similar alternative is Next Insurance. While it is similar to Full Frame in terms of coverage and cost, it provides an app that works like a 24/7 call center to manage the policy and claims, and it handles claims in-house.
If you just need short-term event insurance, it offers three-day event liability insurance that starts at $59. It comes with a limit of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate.
We received a quote for an annual policy that costs $271. This covered general liability and camera equipment. The gear limit provided was $5,000 per item and $30,000 aggregate. It had multiple levels of coverage for gear—as low as $1,000 per item and $5,000 total coverage to as high as $15,000 per item and $75,000 total equipment coverage.
The liability for the quote had an aggregate liability limit of $2 million.
For $30, you can add unlimited additional insureds to any of the policies.
You can get a quote in under 10 minutes, purchase the policy, and manage your documents—all online. If you have a claim, you can email or call. When you call, you can speak with noncommissioned licensed agents. If you need to provide proof of insurance, COIs are available instantly.
Hiscox: Best for Travel Photographers
Pros
- No fees for the monthly payment plan
- Purchase same-day coverage online
- Get a quick quote and purchase a policy online
Cons
- BOP is unavailable in Alaska, Delaware, Florida, Kansas, Rhode Island, Washington, and West Virginia
- No dedicated 24/7 customer service line
- Online, the limits are lower than if you call for a quote
Standout Features
- Offers BOP for photographers; these are designed for small businesses with 10 or fewer employees
- Its global coverage is automatically included for photographers traveling to shoots, making it a great option for any traveling photographers
- Its base photography insurance policy is general liability with add-ons like equipment or professional liability
- Gives home-based photographers discounts due to the reduced risk of operating out of your house
Financial Stability: Hiscox has the strong financial position you want to make sure your claims are paid. Hiscox’s AM Best rating is A (Excellent).
Most insurance companies limit coverage to a specific territory, usually the US and its territories. But if you have Hiscox, the coverage is global, meaning that if a loss happens for your business outside of the US, Hiscox will still cover it. This makes it a great option for any type of professional photographer who travels—just be sure that you are in the US, a US territory, or Canada when you file the claim.
However, Hiscox does not offer a mobile app for its policyholders or operate a 24/7 call center. Sometimes, it can be difficult to get a quote online for a limit higher than $500,000. If you need higher limits or want greater accessibility from a carrier, The Hartford is an alternative.
We received two quotes. One was for professional liability and cost $400 annually. It had a total limit of $1 million with a deductible of $500.
The other quote was for a BOP that costs $612 annually. Alternatively, you could pay the first and last month’s premium and then 10 monthly payments. The BOP had a general liability limit of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, and it carried $25,000 in property coverage with a $1,000 deductible. There is no upcharge for paying monthly.
You can get a quote and purchase photography insurance online. It has online account management, including instant COI, changes to your policy, and loss runs. But you will need to speak with one of its licensed agents for some changes.
While historically, Hiscox has had higher-than-average complaints, the level has been dropping steadily, and it now has average-level complaints. Like other carriers, it publishes user reviews directly on its website. There are just over 1,200 reviews, with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5.
What to Consider When Shopping for Photography Insurance
When shopping for photography insurance, start by asking these questions to determine the most important to you:
- Do you need to insure your equipment?
- Does your business use a lot of contracts before shooting?
- Do you have any employees?
Consider putting together a checklist of these items and then reviewing it with the provider. This ensures you’ll find the right match with a policy that fits your business.
Here are some sample scenarios that can guide you in the process of availing insurance for your photography business:
- If you do photography on the side or seasonally, you may not need an annual policy. So look for a company that can set up a flexible policy term that fits your business.
- If you operate a larger operation with a brick-and-mortar studio, drones, and even employees, you will need to find a carrier that offers a wide range of insurance policies that include commercial property, liability, and workers’ compensation insurance.
With the rising insurance cost, affordability is important for many small businesses. In that case, utilizing the services of a broker to compare quotes from multiple companies is a great way to find quality insurance at a cheap rate.
How We Evaluated the Best Photography Insurance Companies
We determined the best insurance for photographers with our in-house proprietary evaluation system. In evaluating, we focused on the customer’s needs. We paid particular interest to convenience, financial ratings (AM Best), customer service, types of policies offered, and the overall experience as a policyholder with a specific provider.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Inland marine insurance is what you’ll want for your tools and equipment. Inland marine travels with the equipment, so the coverage isn’t limited to a specific location. Oftentimes, this coverage will have you list your equipment and provide coverage amounts for each specific type.
Many providers will offer inland marine as an endorsement on general liability. When doing so, they’ll call it “tools and equipment” coverage.
If your equipment is stolen internationally, check the language of your policy. Some insurers will not provide coverage for losses outside of the US. For those that will cover the loss, they may have special reporting requirements. For example, Hiscox offers global coverage. However, you must report the loss while you are in the United States. If you are a traveling photographer, ensure your policy has international coverage and familiarize yourself with the policy.
Photography insurance is a combination of policies to protect your business and equipment. You will want first-party coverage (property) for your equipment and—if you own a studio—furniture and the business itself. You will also want liability for any claims against your business. Depending on your business type, you’ll need either general liability, professional liability, or possibly both.
Photography insurance costs can vary, ranging from $200 to $1,020 a year for liability. Inland marine, which is for your equipment, can range from $200 to $2,500 annually, while professional liability runs anywhere from $400 to $1,500 per year.
Liability insurance can provide coverage if someone is injured due to your work. Professional liability can help if, while developing pictures, you damage the only available copies of an event. Property insurance assists you if your equipment is stolen or broken by a named peril.
Photographers will want to consider property and liability insurance. From there, it will depend on the type of business and what fits your needs the most. A broker is a good option for finding the best insurance for photographers because a broker can help you determine the right coverages and find quotes from multiple carriers.
Bottom Line
As a photographer, you are often invited to special moments in people’s lives. Your clients will want to know you have the right insurance if something goes wrong. The Hartford is our best overall provider of photography insurance and can provide the coverage you need. Get a quick online quote for business insurance for photographers today.
