Why do freelance videographers need insurance?
As a freelance videographer, you are accountable for all aspects of your business. However, these responsibilities can turn into worries if you receive a claim from an unhappy client or a member of the public and lack videographer liability insurance as a safety net.
Accidental injuries or property damage
You often carry heavy equipment as a videographer and use tripods, cables and lighting gear. Unfortunately, trips and falls can happen, and this could lead to compensation claims.
Financial demands stemming from client dissatisfaction
Project delays, scope creep, and client dissatisfaction are frequent in the creative industry. Sometimes, disputes may even escalate into refund demands or legal actions.
Accusations of making a costly mistake
While on a shoot, your client invests money to create the perfect scene. You may be held responsible for any damages if you accidentally delete valuable footage or your equipment fails.
Unpaid invoices
It's common for videographers to encounter bad debt. Some clients may delay payments or try to avoid paying altogether, which can be frustrating and challenging to deal with.
What is videographer liability insurance?
Videographer liability insurance is an umbrella term for several legal liability products; this includes public liability, professional indemnity, employers' liability, and commercial legal expenses insurance.
These insurance products offer coverage for legal actions arising from your videography business activities. Purchasing one or more of these liability products may be necessary, depending on your specific needs.
Public liability insurance for videographers
Public liability insurance protects videographers from claims of injuries or property damage.
As a videographer, you are likely to often operate in public areas, events, or clients' locations. This type of work puts you at risk of accidents, which could lead to someone holding you responsible for any injury or damage to their property.
Many corporate clients require it, and it's a cost-effective way to ensure your business is well-protected.
What does videographer public liability insurance cover?
Public liability insurance provides coverage for legal expenses to defend against claims of injury and compensation demands.
If someone makes a claim against you for causing accidental injury, property damage, or loss, public liability insurance will offer legal protection and compensate you if you are found liable.
Cover includes:
- accidental injury or death
- accidental property damage
For example, you face financial demands because:
- Dropping your camera may not just cause damage to your equipment. The impact can cause damage to someone else’s property or injure a person. Next thing you know, a solicitor arrives demanding that you pay the costs.
- A member of the public may claim that your actions caused them an injury or property damage. You may not even be aware at the time that someone tripped over your bag or that your presence was a trigger to an incident. Nevertheless, the blame may be laid at your door.
Professional indemnity insurance for videographers
Professional indemnity insurance protects videographers from accusations of professional mistakes, negligence or failing duty of care.
When producing video content for social media campaigns or advertisements, there is room for error or not meeting the client's expectations. Therefore, having professional indemnity as a backup is a wise choice if a claim is made against you.
What does videographer professional indemnity insurance cover?
If a videographer is accused of wrongdoing related to their work product, professional indemnity insurance can cover the cost of legal defence. In addition, this insurance may provide compensation if deemed necessary.
Cover includes:
- Failing your duty of care
- Making a mistake
- Acting negligently
- Giving the wrong advice or recommendation
For example, you face financial demands from a client because:
- The materials you have been paid to produce have had a negative impact on your client’s business.
- The work you’ve sent over to your client have ended up in the wrong hands and breached confidentiality.
- Your work has been deemed unacceptable, and your client is asking you to pay costs.
What professional indemnity limit do videographers need?
The professional indemnity limit required for your business activities depends on various factors. It is important to consider the frequency of your work, the number of clients you have, and the potential financial consequences if any issues arise during your videography work.
Switching your professional indemnity insurance
In the UK, cancelling a professional indemnity policy usually means you lose the ability to make claims against it.
If you decide to switch to a new videographer insurance provider, make sure that your new policy includes coverage for any past work you have done. This type of coverage is also known as "retroactive cover".
Should I keep professional indemnity insurance if I retire from videography?
Maintaining your professional indemnity insurance is wise, even if you take a break or retire from professional videography. Claims relating to professional misconduct can arise months or even years after the work has been delivered.
Remember: If you cancel your policy, your insurance coverage will end, including coverage for any previous work.
The duration you choose to retain your coverage is entirely up to you. It would be wise to consider the type of videography work you undertook and the possibility of a client making a claim against you.
Other insurance videographers buy
If you work as a videographer, the type of insurance you need will vary depending on your specific business situation. It's crucial to consider whether you have the necessary funds to replace or repair your equipment, how you would handle a legal dispute, and what your plan of action would be if you were subject to a tax investigation by HM Revenue & Customs.
Videography equipment insurance
As videographer equipment becomes more advanced, it also becomes more expensive.
If your equipment is essential to your work, it's crucial to have a quick way of replacing or repairing it. However, this may not always be affordable. Therefore, it's wise to consider protecting your equipment with insurance as a backup plan.
Electronic business equipment insurance can cover the cost of replacing your equipment if it's beyond repair, as well as the cost of repairs. One of the advantages of this type of insurance is that the repair turnaround time is often speedy.
Commercial legal expenses insurance
Most commercial legal expenses insurance will protect videographers against various tax and legal issues you may encounter due to your profession, which are not picked up by professional indemnity or public liability.
At Suited, we combined £100,000 of commercial legal expenses insurance with helplines and other tools to better assist videographers in dealing with these issues. We call this Business Legal Protect, and it’s part of your subscription.
Business Legal Protect provides qualified advice and assistance with:
- Legal and tax matters concerning your business
- Criminal prosecution
- Negative PR
- Unpaid invoices (over £200)
For example:
- HMRC investigates your tax affairs
- You need legal help chasing a significant unpaid invoice
- You need help with a negative PR situation that’s damaging your business
Videographers we insure
Suited offers comprehensive insurance policies that cater to the needs of a wide range of video professionals, including:
- After effects editors
- Autocue operators
- Broadcast engineers
- Broadcast media managers
- Cameramen & camerawomen
- Corporate video producers
- TV/Film/Radio managers
- TV/Film/Radio post producers
- TV/Radio/Online broadcasters
- and more..
Shopping for videographer liability insurance
Whether or not you decide to use Suited videographer insurance to protect your business, it’s worth keeping the following in mind:
Cheap videographer insurance
Don't solely focus on the cost when choosing your insurance. It's crucial to ensure that the provider is easily accessible. Suited prioritises quick responses to inquiries and offers multiple ways to contact us.
The insurer's reputation is important
Insurance should be dependable when you need it most. An insurer's payout reputation is significant. Suited partners with financially stable insurers who have an A+ rating.
Many providers charge fees to amend or cancel
Initial lower prices can often conceal additional monthly fees or charges to adjust or cancel your policy. At Suited, we don't charge extra fees; you can cancel anytime without further payment.
Some policy wordings are restrictive or have a high excess
Some providers may offer tempting prices, but it may come at the expense of coverage. Suited's professional indemnity and public liability policies have a £0 excess.
