Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve put together some frequently asked questions regarding photography and production insurance. we hope it's useful.
photography
Yes, our policies cover you for worldwide travel apart from areas of conflict or areas with UK and US trade sanctions, whether that’s a work related trip or a holiday. Read more about working abroad as a photographer here.
Yes, we can insure hired equipment on the same basis as your own equipment.
Typically, when hiring equipment from a hire company, you are responsible for insuring said equipment. That insurance must include 13 weeks ‘Loss of Hire’ cover, which compensates the hire company for lost income should the equipment be unavailable for hire due to loss or damage whilst in your possession.
Some hire companies may offer their own insurance (although this can be expensive) but the majority don’t so it will be your responsibility to secure insurance.
We advise that you insure any borrowed equipment along with your own owned equipment, particularly if borrowing it for an extended length of time. Read more about insuring hired equipment here.
An equipment list is not strictly mandatory but it’s best practice to submit one. Having an up-to-date list in place makes the claim process much, much quicker and smoother for you should the worst happen.
A short but extremely important phrase, ‘new for old’ simply means that if your equipment is broken, damaged or stolen, it will be replaced with the latest state of the art model, even if it’s out of date and obsolete.
The photographic insurance we offer via our photographic insurance scheme provides new for old cover as standard providing the values you have submitted are the new replacement values. You should ensure the values insured are sufficient to cover replacement at today’s prices. Read more about ‘new for old’ insurance here.
This relates to hired equipment. In the event of a claim, a supplier would expect their loss of earnings to be reimbursed.
In addition our policies will also allow you to rent equipment whilst your own equipment is being repaired or replaced.
Public liability will protect you in cases of bodily injury or property damage associated with an incident involving your business.
A professional indemnity policy is designed to protect against any errors & omissions that may be made, and includes extensions that are very important for creative professionals. These include breaches of infringement of intellectual property rights including copyright infringement, or any misappropriation of musical compositions, graphic material, or artwork.
We would always recommend purchasing professional indemnity. We are seeing an increase in claims relating to copyright and intellectual property. It’s very easy for a third party to bring an allegation of negligence or breach of intellectual property, even if the grounds for doing so are unfounded. Professional indemnity would provide a legal defence in such instances.
We would always recommend professional indemnity. We are seeing an increase in claims relating to copyright and intellectual property. It’s very easy for a third party to bring an allegation of negligence or breach of intellectual property, even if the grounds for doing so are unfounded. Professional indemnity would provide a legal defence in such instances.
Employers’ liability will protect you from legal costs should an employee sustain a bodily injury in the course of their employment.
You will need to take out Employers Liability if you have an employee. The creative industry is unique, in terms of the prevalence of freelancers. We are very cautious when it comes to employers’ liability. If you employ an extra pair of hands for a short period of time, such as assistants, we would highly recommend that you always maintain employers’ liability. Freelancers would then be covered in the same ways as employees whilst working under your supervision and control.
You will need to take out Employers Liability if you have an employee. The creative industry is unique, in terms of the prevalence of freelancers. We are very cautious when it comes to Employers’ Liability. If you employ an extra pair of hands for a short period of time, such as assistants, we would highly recommend that you always maintain employers’ liability. Freelancers would then be covered in the same ways as employees whilst working under your supervision and control.
All our quotes are personalised, and the premium is typically linked to the value of equipment that you need insured. The higher the values, the higher the premium is likely to be.
Our packaged photography policies which cover equipment, public liability and employers’ liability start at as little as £245 plus Insurance Premium Tax annually. The policy also includes production insurance extensions unique to Williamson Carson and not available elsewhere.
You can pay in full, by two instalments or by direct debit. Please note, if you want to pay by direct debit, the finance providers will charge which is why we encourage clients to pay in full or two instalments. Should you prefer to pay by direct debit we will fully explain the charges when you take the finance.
Yes, you can make changes by either calling the office or sending an email. We do not charge administration fees. However, an increase in cover may result in an additional premium due.
We do not charge Administration fees. However, an increase in cover may result in an additional premium due.
Theft from unattended vehicles is limited to £5,000 if there is no manufacturer’s approved alarm, this increases to £15,000 if there is an approved alarm installed.
If you need to make a claim please contact the office by telephone 0208 659 5038 or email queries@williamsoncarson.co.uk . You will always be allocated a personal claims handler.
Please note the standard excess for equipment claims is £200, or £500 for theft from vehicles.
The standard excess is £200, or £500 for theft from vehicles.
You can pay in full, by two instalments or by Direct Debit.
Yes, typically the finance providers will charge for direct debit, which is why we encourage clients to pay in full or two instalments. Should you prefer to pay by direct debit we will fully explain the charges when you take the finance.
Providing you have been transparent with us, and declared all previous claims, it will not affect your policy with us.
We can cover drones for theft. However, the policy will not cover your drones in flight or any aviation liability. We are working on a solution so watch this space.
Yes, just let us know the details of your photography studio and we can provide a suitable solution.
We have partnered with a number of very high-quality insurers, their details will be shared on all quotes.
Production
The difference between the CPI and media production policies relates to the level of cover they provide under the cast section which covers reshoot costs in the event that an essential member of crew is unavailable. The media production policy will only cover reshoot costs if the individual is unavailable due to death, accident or sickness whereas the CPI policy covers non-appearance due anything beyond your control. This would include if the individual were unable to travel due to adverse weather, wild cat airline strikes, ash clouds or road accidents.
Both policies exclude non-appearance due to Covid or pre-existing condition and non-appearance of talent is only covered if pre-agreed in advance of the shoot with the insurers.
Yes, we are able to offer both annual and one-off cover. However, we would always recommend that clients take out annual production insurance as this will provide peace of mind that any shoot you are producing will be covered. Annual policies tend to be more cost-effective as insurers charge lower rates for annual production policies.
The insurers charge a rate on the production budget (one-off policy) or the total value of annual production (annual policy).
It protects both. It protects the production companies for claims that may arise from their legal liability and damage to equipment, sets and props.
If you purchase media production or commercial producers’ indemnity, the policy is also providing essential protection for your client, as it is covering their investment / budget.
The protection for the client is by virtue of the fact that the policy includes re-shoot costs. If things beyond your control go wrong, the policy will cover the re-shoot costs without the client having to pay twice! Please remember the cover for re-shoot depends on which product is taken. The two options being media production or commercial producers’ indemnity, the difference being explained above.
Ad wrap insurance is a policy taken out by ad agencies and clients to cover all aspects of a shoot. This would include all aspects of the media production and CPI policies mentioned above but would also include things like the products of the shoot and non-appearance of talent which production companies would not typically be expected to insure.
- Public and Employers’ Liability – your legal liability to injury or damage.
- Equipment (owned and hired), props, sets and wardrobes – all risks damage and theft. Our policies also cover the continuing hire charges that you are legally responsible for up to a maximum of 13 weeks.
- Cast – This protects the production for the re-shoot or production costs should an insured person be prevented to commence, continue or complete their duties and performance in that production due to their death, injury or illness.
- Production Media – The insurance covers the production for the re-shoot or production costs following physical loss of, damage to, or destruction of production media by any cause.
- Extra Expenses – The insurance will pay for the interruption, postponement or cancellation of the production due to physical loss, damage or destruction of property or facilities used by the insured party for that production.
- Third party costs- This provides cover for production costs not included in your original budget but for which you may become responsible for in the case of a re-shoot. This might include such costs as model or talent fees, advertising agency costs and your client costs.
In very simple terms, professional indemnity covers you for mistakes or allegations that you’ve made a mistake. Compensation to your client (or a third-party) in circumstances where you are liable due to professional negligence (plus any associated defence or legal costs are normally covered in addition).
A basic professional indemnity product will only protect you against allegations of negligence. There are, however, professional indemnity policies that cover a lot more, such as the policies we provide for our production companies. Matters such as breach of intellectual property including copyright infringement, breach of confidentiality and breach of confidence are often covered under more comprehensive professional indemnity policies.
Libraries
Public liability will protect you in cases of bodily injury or property damage associated with an incident involving your business.
Employers’ liability will protect you from legal costs should an employee sustain a bodily injury in the course of their employment.
You will need to take out Employers Liability if you have an employee. The creative industry is unique, in terms of the prevalence of freelancers. We are very cautious when it comes to employers’ liability. If you employ an extra pair of hands for a short period of time, such as assistants, we would highly recommend that you always maintain employers’ liability. Freelancers would then be covered in the same ways as employees whilst working under your supervision and control.
You will need to take out Employers Liability if you have an employee. The creative industry is unique, in terms of the prevalence of freelancers. We are very cautious when it comes to Employers’ Liability. If you employ an extra pair of hands for a short period of time, such as assistants, we would highly recommend that you always maintain employers’ liability. Freelancers would then be covered in the same ways as employees whilst working under your supervision and control.
Yes, you can make changes by either calling the office or sending an email.
You can pay in full, by two instalments or by Direct Debit.
Providing you have been transparent with us, and declared all previous claims, it will not affect your policy with us.
We have partnered with a number of very high-quality insurers, their details will be shared on all quotes.
DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION AND ANIMATION
Yes, these discounts are already applied to the packages shown.
A professional indemnity policy is designed to protect against any errors & omissions that may be made and includes extensions that are very important for creative professionals. These include breaches of infringement of intellectual property rights including copyright infringement, or any misappropriation of musical compositions, graphic material, or artwork.
We would always recommend professional indemnity. We are seeing an increase in claims relating to copyright and intellectual property. It’s very easy for a third party to bring an allegation of negligence or breach of intellectual property, even if the grounds for doing so are unfounded. Professional indemnity would provide a legal defence in such instances.
We can personalise quotes to suit your needs. Please contact the office 0208 659 5038 or email queries@williamsoncarson.co.uk and we will be able to help you with a quote.
Public liability will protect you in cases of bodily injury or property damage associated with an incident involving your business.
Employers’ liability will protect you from legal costs should an employee sustain a bodily injury in the course of their employment.
You will need to take out Employers Liability if you have an employee. The creative industry is unique, in terms of the prevalence of freelancers. We are very cautious when it comes to employers’ liability. If you employ an extra pair of hands for a short period of time, such as assistants, we would highly recommend that you always maintain employers’ liability. Freelancers would then be covered in the same ways as employees whilst working under your supervision and control.
You will need to take out Employers Liability if you have an employee. The creative industry is unique, in terms of the prevalence of freelancers. We are very cautious when it comes to Employers’ Liability. If you employ an extra pair of hands for a short period of time, such as assistants, we would highly recommend that you always maintain employers’ liability. Freelancers would then be covered in the same ways as employees whilst working under your supervision and control.
Yes, you can make changes by either calling the office or sending an email. We do not charge administration fees. However, an increase in cover may result in an additional premium due.
We do not charge Administration fees. However, an increase in cover may result in an additional premium due.
If you need to make a claim please contact the office by telephone 0208 659 5038 or email queries@williamsoncarson.co.uk . You will always be allocated a personal claims handler.
Please note the standard excess for equipment claims is £200, or £500 for theft from vehicles.
You can pay in full, by two instalments or by Direct Debit.
Providing you have been transparent with us, and declared all previous claims, it will not affect your policy with us.
We have partnered with a number of very high-quality insurers, their details will be shared on all quotes.