What is camera insurance?

If your camera equipment is crucial to your livelihood then the chances are, it being lost, damaged or stolen would be costly and inconvenient. Depending on the level of cover, camera insurance can protect everything from your professional camera equipment to your accessories and lenses if disaster strikes.

There’s no legal requirement to protect your camera and equipment with insurance, but if something goes wrong and you need to replace items it can be costly. Travelling with your equipment for photography jobs may be exciting but taking out camera insurance will cover you here in the UK and abroad if anything goes wrong, helping you to focus on your passion with peace of mind.





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Camera Insurance FAQs

Question

What does camera insurance cover?

Answer

There are a whole host of different risks we can cover for you - it all depends on the level you’re at as a photographer. If you’re just starting out you might find you just need cover for your camera equipment but if your passion for photography grows you might want to add more cover for extra equipment such as additional lenses and accessories. If so, all you need to do is call us and we’ll update your policy accordingly. Changes to your policy may alter your premium and just remember there may be a fee for adjustments.

Question

Do I need camera insurance?

Answer

Although insurance for cameras and equipment you own isn’t mandatory it is best to consider having this as the cost of replacing equipment alone can be hugely expensive. Photography insurance can help to protect you in this instance. It will also give you greater peace of mind when using your equipment in the UK or abroad to get you up and running again as quickly as possible.

If you are a professional photographer and employ any staff, you will require employers' liability cover. You will also likely need to have covers such as public liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance in place to protect you if your clients or third parties suffer any accidents and to meet your contractual obligations.

Question

What level of photography insurance do I need?

Answer

Everyone is different so this depends on what your requirements are: whether you earn a living from your photography or do it just for fun.

You will want to insure your equipment for the full replacement cost on a ‘new for old’ basis. We can provide quotes for equipment from a few hundred pounds to full productions where kit prices can be more than £100,000.

We are also able to offer a variety of public liability limits including £2 million, £5 million and £10 million.
We can provide £10 million of employer's liability cover. This cover is a legal requirement if you have employees.
If you are unsure which level of cover would suit you best it is worth speaking with one of our specialist advisors.

Question

Is your camera insurance cover valid abroad?

Answer

Yes. All of our policies include the option for you to insure your camera equipment while you travel abroad. So as long as you don't exceed 45 days in any one trip, you just need to check your documents to make sure the country you're travelling to is included in the terms of your policy. Alternatively, you can ring the team directly to discuss and agree the right cover for you.

Question

Can your camera insurance include an excess?

Answer

Yes, Towergate photography insurance excesses vary but full details can be found on your policy documents or you can contact one of the team.

Question

How do I know the value of equipment I want to insure?

Answer

We replace your items on a new for old basis, so in the unfortunate event of a total loss you get the latest equivalent model as a replacement. By checking how much an equivalent replacement costs in the market today, you will get a good idea of the value you should insure your own equipment for.

Question

Do I need to provide you with a list of my equipment?

Answer

The answer is no provided you have receipts and invoices for your equipment in the event of a claim. If you are concerned that you may not have these then please supply an equipment list, to make sure that your sum insured is adequate.

Question

Is my equipment covered in the hold of an aircraft?

Answer

Yes, full cover is extended to equipment within the hold of an aircraft subject to the equipment being in a locked Peli Case or similar protective casing.

Question

Is there anything I should consider when choosing photography insurance?

Answer

There are a number of factors you will need to consider when it comes to choosing the right level of photography insurance cover for you.

It is important to consider the nature of your work when choosing your photography insurance policy. As a professional photographer, you are likely to need cover for business interruption and potentially employers' liability, as well as cover for any damage to your work.

If you are not full-time in the industry but still engage in some paid photography work then public liability and professional indemnity could be crucial. As an amateur photographer, you may simply want to ensure that your equipment is covered. It is important that you take into consideration the nature and value of your work.

Question

Is my camera and equipment covered if I am distracted and it is stolen?

Answer

Yes, we have Towergate products available that provide cover for 'open theft' and this would include opportunist. This means we do not require signs of forcible or violent, entry or exit for the theft cover to be in force.

Question

Under my previous insurance I made a claim, will this affect my cover?

Answer

We only need to know about claims you have made in the last five years. Each claim is considered on an individual basis and though some may have no effect on your policy, others might. Just make sure you let us know and we will talk you through it, as failure to disclose a claim can invalidate your cover.

Question

Does this photography cover come with any exclusions?

Answer

Photography insurance will not typically cover wear and tear to equipment or mechanical and electrical breakdown. There could be exclusions for working in hazardous locations or for foreign travel in accordance with FCO guidelines, dependent on the nature of your work.

As with any insurance policy consult your policy wording for the exclusions, or better still chat through your requirements with our specialist advisors to ensure you are covered for the risks that are important to you.

Question

What are your camera insurance exclusions?

Answer

The full list of exclusions will be laid out in your policy documents.

Question

About Towergate's camera insurance

Answer

Towergate Camerasure are specialists in photography, film, videography and commercial drone insurance. We have been established for over 20 years, treat all our customers as individuals and helping them build camera cover policies that are tailored to their business' needs.

Question

Can I pay for my camera insurance in instalments?

Answer

To help you spread the cost of your premiums, we offer a quick and easy direct debit scheme for payment spread over ten months. Please visit our dedicated Direct Debit page to find out more.

Question

Where can I find more information about monthly Direct Debit for camera cover?

Answer

If you prefer to spread the cost of your annual premium, we offer a quick and easy Direct Debit scheme. When you choose to pay premiums in instalments, you will be paying under a Premium Finance plan. We will give you full details of the finance provider, and the additional cost of finance, when we provide you with your payment plan quotation. This will include the total payable, the number of monthly instalments and the cost of each, as well as the representative APR. See our  Direct Debit page for more.