We love this time of year when so much of the festivities centre around eating, drinking and getting together with loved ones. Food & drink photography continues to whet our appetites and inspire us to cook delicious dishes for our nearest and dearest at home. But when it comes to keeping your business protected, do all you food and drink photographers know exactly what insurance cover you require? We’re here to help.
People
A major risk for food and drink photographers is injury on set, clearly those working near food preparation are susceptible to burns and cuts.
So consider the people you work with. Do you employ an assistant or a runner? If you have anyone working under your care, whether they are employees or freelancers, you will need Employers’ Liability because you are liable if they are injured at work. This is a non negotiable, legal requirement, whether they are employees or labour only subcontractors like assistants.
Damage to property
Fire and water damage on the premises of food and drink shoots are also considerations to be aware of. Public liability is an essential cover you must have in place, regardless of whether the shoot or production is insured by the production company. It covers you if any third parties are injured or their property is damaged and they make a claim against you directly. A production company’s insurance will not necessarily respond to a claim made against you directly.
Property cover
It’s a no brainer really – you will need insurance to cover any equipment you own, or that you hire in for a shoot, in the case of loss, theft or accidental damage. This may include cameras, lighting or laptops for example. If you’re involved in styling or food preparation, you may also want to include cover for kitchen equipment, as well as props such as crockery or table dressings that you’ve brought in for the shoot.
Your professional conduct
Finally, the cover that no one in our industry should ignore – Professional Indemnity. This protects you in the instance of you facing claims alleging that you have been professionally negligent. It includes complaints about the quality of your work, copyright infringement and breach of copyright. This could include claims from third parties, for example if you use a specialist piece of equipment on set without permission.
