Frequently asked questions

Do you insure amateur or recreational photographers?

NO. WE DO NOT INSURE NON-PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS

What type of policy do I need? 

Non-Professional

The type of policy you need depends on how you use your equipment. If you do not make any money through the use of your equipment, a standard homeowners or renters policy should cover against theft and fire, even when your equipment is outside your home. Typically, standard homeowners and renters policies cover you against named perils only. They also typically have deductibles. If your equipment is accidentally damaged, for example, you drop it, chances are it will not be covered under a standard homeowners or renters policy unless it is specially schedule on a “all risk“ Camera floater. This attachment to your homeowners or renters policy includes a schedule of covered items. An all risk floater generally covers the scheduled equipment against everything except specifically excluded perils stated in the policy (e.g., acts of war). So if you're walking down a street and you accidentally drop your camera and a car drives by and runs it over, smashing it into pieces, it's covered unless that situation is specifically excluded in your policy. 

If you are not using the equipment commercially, it is best to contact your current insurance agent and /or broker too get an All-Risk Personal Article floater added your homeowner's/renter's insurance policy.

Professional

If you use your equipment primarily for business or commercial purposes, you should be insured by a commercial inland marine policy. A commercial policy offers all-risk coverage for equipment, eliminates the potential of exclusions if equipment is used professionally, and offers a variety of optional floaters designed to insure against the liabilities faced by a professional. For example someone trips over your tripod and sustains an injury. 

A commercial policy offers a similar level of coverage for equipment as an all risk personal article floater, but eliminates the potential exclusion of equipment if used professionally. 

Additional coverage available on a commercial policy includes commercial general liability, commercial property including buildings, commercial automobile coverage and umbrella liability to name a few. 

What type of policy do I need if I only use my equipment ocasionally for commercial purposes?

That's a difficult question to answer. Some photographers who generate revenue from their work, even if it's not their primary source of income, need a commercial policy. Commercial policies are generally more expensive than personal policies and might be required depending on the value of your equipment and the level of income you generate from photography. Remember that misrepresenting your information could cause your coverage to be denied. Worse, if you are offered a policy, misrepresenting your information could cause your claim to be denied, even though your policy is fully-paid! 

Where do premiums start? 

Minimum premiums $750 for a package policy with equipment and liablity.  

How is my premium calculated? 

Premiums are determined by a number of factors, including: Your physical location; value of your insured equipment and other property; number of years in business; and previous history of claims.

Who is eligible for coverage? 

Any professional photoagrapher incl wedding, portrait, architectural, stock or industrial photographer or videographer based in Canada who also meet our underwriting criteria.

What if I perform work other than photography or videography ? 

Our policy can often insure other work you might perform, like web-design, graphic arts, and photographic restoration; however, this is determined on a case-by-case basis.

How quickly may I activate coverage? 

In most cases, we will respond to your inquiry within 48 hours. A signed application and payment is required in order to effect coverage. You will need to go to the Apply for coverage page and complete the application or click here.

I have a bride or facility owner asking for "proof of insurance." Do you provide that? 

Yes, we do. Please contact our office in writing with a  request. We will ask for the name and address of the party making the request as well as if the party is requesting any particular coverage extensions from your policy, like an "additional insured" endorsement or "waiver of subrogation." We turn around typical requests in 24 hours. 

Do you cover Rented Equipment? 

Most of our policies automatically extend coverage for rented or borrowed equipment at a limit of $10,000. Coverage may be increased for an additional premium.

Is International World-wide Coverage Available? 

In order to keep our premiums as low as possible our standard policy is for Canada only. However you have the option of chosing Canada USA or World-wide depending upon your situation. An additional charge will apply for coverage outside of Canada.

Isn't Camera coverage a part of my homeowners policy? 

Not generally, since you use your equipment in a business. Most Homeowners policies exclude coverage for business related property.

Are you protected when travelling abroad?

Only if you have selected and purchased coverage for outside of Canada.

Is theft from an unattended vehicle covered?

Yes, provided all policies conditions are met with regards to appropriate warranties for unattended vehicle.