7 Best Photography Insurance Companies
Nathan Weller is an Insurance Expert focusing on insurance for small business. He has 15 years experience in insurance operations, FNOL, and claims handling.
You want insurance that will cover your equipment and protect you against any liability claims. In addition to the right coverage, the best insurance for photographers will be affordable, allow you to access your documents when needed, and be responsive when you have a question.
Using our proprietary rubric focusing on financial stability, customer satisfaction, convenience, and the policies offered, we reviewed leading insurance companies to find the seven best photography insurance for your business.
- The Hartford: Best overall for photography insurance
- Next Insurance: Best for online experience
- Nationwide Insurance: Best for customer service
- Thimble: Best for short-term coverage
- Full Frame: Best for affordability
- Hiscox: Best for traveling photographers
- CoverWallet: Best for comparison shopping
Best Photographer Insurers Compared
| Company |
|
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Overall provider for photography insurance |
Online |
24/7 call center |
✓ |
A+ (Superior) |
| Get a Quote | |||||
 |
Online Experience |
Online or through its app |
Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–5 p.m. CT |
✓ |
A- (Excellent) |
| Get a Quote | |||||
 |
Customer Service |
Online |
24/7 call center |
✕ |
A+ (Superior) |
| Get a Quote | |||||
 |
Short-term coverage |
Online or through its app |
Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET |
✓ |
A- to A (Excellent) |
| Get a Quote | |||||
 |
Affordability |
Online |
Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–8 p.m. MST |
✓ |
A- (Excellent) |
| Get a Quote | |||||
 |
Traveling photographers |
Online |
Mon–Fri, 7 a.m.–10 p.m. ET |
✓ |
A (Excellent) |
| Get a Quote | |||||
 |
Comparison shopping |
Online |
Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–8 p.m., Sat 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. ET |
✓ |
A (Excellent) |
| Get a Quote | |||||
The Hartford: Best Overall for Photography Insurance
The Hartford
Overall Score:
4.75 / 5
What We Like
- Quick, online quote
- Instant access to policy
- 24/7 claims services
What's Missing
- No mobile application for commercial customers
Deciding Factors
- Independent agents: To help you with your policy
- Online portal: Access to policy documents instantly
- Financial strength: Excellent financial rating
- In-house claims: Claims are handled directly by The Hartford
Because of its convenient 24/7 availability, online quoting process, and superior financial rating, The Hartford is the best overall provider for photography insurance. From its online experience to in-house claims, it consistently shows it has put 200 years of experience into customer service. However, it has no mobile application available for business owners.
Cost & Coverage
We received a quote for $431 annually for a business owner’s policy (BOP). The BOP had $15,000 in property coverage for your 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.
You can add drone liability coverage for $155.
Customer Satisfaction & Convenience
It has a great digital experience, so working with it is very convenient. Online, you can get a quote, purchase a policy, manage the policy, and file a claim. Its website is easy to use—whether you need to file a claim or contact the provider, you can find what you need within a few clicks.
The Hartford ranked third in J.D. Power’s 2022 US Independent Agent Satisfaction Study. This means independent agents have a great experience working with the company.
Financial Stability
As one of the oldest carriers in the US, The Hartford has a solid financial reputation. It’s rated A+ (Superior) by AM Best.
Next: Best for Online Experience
Next
Overall Score:
4.00 / 5
What We Like
- Easy-to-use website
- Policy package options
- Purchase policy online
What's Missing
- No 24/7 call center
Deciding Factors
- App: User-friendly app for your policy and claim needs
- Nationwide: Available in 48 states
- Tech forward: Emphasis on the app and online experience
- Licensed agents: Available to advise you on your policy
As an insurtech company, Next Insurance has invested heavily in the digital experience and has a very fast and easy-to-use quoting process. Through its app and website, users have 24/7 access to their documents. However, if a problem cannot be resolved online, there’s no 24/7 call center.
Cost & Coverage
We received a quote for a liability policy that was $16.67 monthly or $200 annually. It had limits of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, and you can cancel the policy anytime.
Next also offers property insurance, which you can purchase for your camera equipment. There’s a helpful coverage and price breakdown on its website.
Customer Satisfaction & Convenience
Despite its newness, Next is establishing itself with exceptional convenience. Online, you can manage your policy, get an instant certificate of insurance (COI), and file a claim. There’s an iOS and Android app, which functions like a 24/7 call center.
Financial Stability
Despite being founded in 2015, Next Insurance has an A- (Excellent) rating from AM Best.
Nationwide: Best for Customer Service
Nationwide
Overall Score:
4.00 / 5
What We Like
- In-house claims services
- Independent agents
- 24/7 call center
What's Missing
- No clear way to request a COI
Deciding Factors
- Independent agents: To help you with your policy
- Account portal: Online access to manage your policy
- Low complaints: Lowest complaints of all companies reviewed
- Risk management: Services available for all policyholders
Because of its low complaints and recent placement in the top three of customer satisfaction in J.D. Power’s 2022 Small Commercial Insurance Study for commercial business, Nationwide Insurance is the best photography insurance provider for excellent customer service.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t find any clear information on obtaining a certificate of liability (COI), so this process is most likely through the agent.
Cost & Coverage
You can get a quote online. However, you’ll need to have the EIN for your business. As such, we were unable to get a quote.
For photographers, Nationwide offers a BOP that includes property, liability, business income loss, and equipment breakdown.
Customer Satisfaction & Convenience
Nationwide stood out for its customer satisfaction. There were zero complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), which is the lowest among any company we have reviewed.
The low complaints are further reflected in Nationwide being voted third by policyholders for excellent customer service in J.D. Power’s study above.
In terms of convenience, Nationwide offers an online portal for policy management and a 24/7 hotline for customer service and claims.
Financial Stability
Founded in 1926, Nationwide Insurance has financial stability. AM Best rated Nationwide A+ (Superior).
Thimble: Best for Short-term Coverage
Thimble
Overall Score:
3.75 / 5
What We Like
- Flexible policy terms
- Easy to use website
- Affordable policies
What's Missing
- No in-house claims team
- No 24/7 call center
Deciding Factors
- App: To manage policy and claims easily
- Short-term: Liability coverage available
- Instant COI: Available in 60 seconds
- Coverage and exclusions: Clearly listed
Thimble Insurance gives users the option to purchase insurance by the hour, day, or extended time. If you’re a photographer with a day job, it’s the best option for short-term coverage.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t handle claims and has no 24/7 call center.
Cost & Coverage
We received quotes for liability, property, and equipment. The liability was $21.88 per month for a policy with $1 million. The property, $39.25 monthly, had a limit of $100,000 with a deductible of $500, and the equipment, which was 14.58 monthly, provided coverage for $2,500 with a $500 deductible.
The difference between property and equipment coverage comes down to your photography business. If you run a studio, the property coverage would be for your studio property and the equipment coverage would be for listed items, like your camera and lens.
Customer Satisfaction & Convenience
Thimble is an insurtech with an iOS and Android app. You can get a quote, purchase a policy, manage the policy, and file a claim online or via the app.
Thimble is a managing general agent (MGA), so it doesn’t fall under the NAIC for complaints. However, Thimble has more than 1,000 reviews on Trustpilot, with 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Financial Stability
Most Thimble policies are written through Markel or National Specialty Insurance Company. Both are rated A (Excellent) by AM Best.
Full Frame: Best for Affordability
Full Frame
Overall Score:
3.50 / 5
What We Like
- Nationwide coverage
- Online experience
- Quick quotes
What's Missing
- Doesn’t handle claims
- No 24/7 call center
Deciding Factors
- Online services: Log in to manage your payments
- Online quotes: Takes 10 minutes or less
- Affordable policy: Packages for your business
- Instant COI: Available online
Offering three policy packages starting as low as $59 annually, Full Frame Insurance is the best provider for affordable insurance. It also offers a convenient online experience and has several policies to meet your photography or videography needs.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t handle its claims, and while you have 24/7 access to your policy documents, it has no 24/7 call center.
Cost & Coverage
Full Frame offers three levels of coverage. The first one starts at $59 annually and is for three-day event liability insurance. It comes with a limit of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate.
Beyond the event policy, there are two other policies: the Annual Policy (starting at $129) and Annual Plus Policy (starting at $184). The main difference between the two comes from the equipment coverage provided in the Plus policy.
For $30, you can add unlimited additional insureds to any of the policies.
Customer Satisfaction & Convenience
Using Full Frame is convenient. 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. While there is no 24/7 call center, you can call and speak with non-commission licensed agents.
If you need to provide proof of insurance, COIs are available instantly.
Financial Stability
These policies are underwritten by Fortegra, which is rated A- (Excellent) by AM Best.
Hiscox: Best for Traveling Photographers
Hiscox
Overall Score:
3.50 / 5
What We Like
- Policies offered
- Exists for small businesses
- In-house claims
What's Missing
- Higher than average complaints
- No dedicated 24/7 customer service line
Deciding Factors
- Account portal: Online access to manage your policy
- Additional insureds: Can be added easily to your COI
- Global company: With history of insuring small businesses
- Online quotes: Available quickly
Most insurance companies limit coverage to a specific territory, usually the United States and its territories—but Hiscox’s coverage is global. If you’re a destination photographer, Hiscox is the best provider for your business.
However, it doesn’t provide any mobile app for its policyholders and lacks a 24/7 call center.
Cost & Coverage
We received a quote for a BOP for $692 annually or $57.64 a month. The policy included $25,000 in equipment coverage with a $1,000 deductible and a $1 million limit in liability. You can add professional liability for $33.32 monthly.
Hiscox has payment options, from paying in full or an upfront payment and 10 monthly payments.
It also recognizes the reduced risks that come with a home-based business and factors that into its pricing by offering a potential discount.
Customer Satisfaction & Convenience
You can get a quote and purchase a photography policy online. It has online account management, including instant COI, changes to your policy, and loss runs. You’ll need to call and speak with one of its licensed agents for some changes.
It even offers global coverage in its policies, which is unusual. The only catch is you’ll need to ensure you’re in the US, a US territory, or Canada when you file the claim.
Unfortunately, Hiscox does have a higher-than-average number of complaints with the NAIC.
Financial Stability
Started more than 120 years ago, Hiscox is financially reliable. AM Best has rated it A (Excellent).
CoverWallet: Best for Comparison Shopping
CoverWallet
Overall Score:
3.50 / 5
What We Like
- Instant COI
- Policy financing
- Support services
What's Missing
- No 24/7 availability
- Claims filing process
Deciding Factors
- Online quotes: Available online
- Purchase policy online: After obtaining a quick quote
- One-stop-shop: For insurance from different providers
- Dedicated agent: To help you manage your policy
Sometimes, when you’re looking for insurance for your photography business, you want to compare prices. As an online brokerage that provides multiple quotes in minutes, CoverWallet is the best provider for comparison shopping.
However, it doesn’t have a 24/7 call center, and if you need to file a claim, it refers you to your policy documents to find the contact information for the specific insurer.
Cost & Coverage
As a brokerage, CoverWallet can provide quotes for a wide range of policies, from professional liability to inland marine. After answering a few questions, we received two quotes and were advised a professional from CoverWallet would follow up to discuss some additional quotes.
One was for a professional liability policy written by Chubb. It carried a limit of $1 million and was $666 annually. CoverWallet provides information on the carrier when you receive a quote, such as its NAIC code or AM Best Rating.
Customer Satisfaction & Convenience
If you purchase a policy, you can access your digital wallet. This is where you can manage your policy, claim receipts, and request advice.
Through the wallet, you can also request a COI. Depending on the request, it’ll be available instantly or up to 48 hours later.
Financial Stability
CoverWallet is owned by Aon, which has a rating of A (Excellent) from AM Best.
Methodology
We determined which insurance companies would be the best for your photography business 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 for a specific provider.
Most people only care about insurance when they need it. We ensure that we’re recommending something that, should that moment come, you’ll feel comfortable with when you make a purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is photography insurance?
Photography insurance is a combination of policies to protect your business and equipment. You’ll want first-party coverage (property) for your equipment and, if you own a studio, furniture and the business itself. You’ll also want liability for any claims against your business.
How much does photography insurance cost?
Photography insurance costs can vary, ranging from $200 to $800 annually for liability. Inland marine, for your equipment, can range from $200 to $2,500.
What does photography insurance cover?
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.
What type of insurance do photographers need?
Photographers will want to consider property and liability insurance. From there, it’ll depend on the type of business and what fits your needs the most. A broker like CoverWallet is a good option here as the broker can help you determine the right coverages for your business needs.
Bottom Line
As a photographer, you’re often invited to memorable moments in people’s lives. Your clients will want to know that you have the right insurance if something goes wrong. The Hartford is our best overall provider of photography insurance, so get a quick online quote today.
