Your plain-speaking guide to Insurance for photoshoots & filming

We’ve asked Luke Perkins from our insurance partners Mode Insurance to talk us through the key insurance considerations for freelancers and small businesses that are looking to book a photoshoot location.  It may not be the most ‘fun’ topic – but insurance can play a crucial role in the success of your business and provides valuable peace of mind to everyone involved in your location booking so we’re going to get some clarity on getting the correct cover and what do you do if you need to make a claim.

Take it away Luke!

“Planning your location shoots involves more than simply finding the perfect setting. It can also involve considering what insurance coverage you may need to protect yourself and your business from any financial liabilities if an accident were to happen.

What insurance do you need when booking a location?

All Creators are required to have a minimum of £1m Public Liability insurance to book a location via the Styled Home Studios platform.

This is to make sure there is sufficient cover in place, in case your activities at the property result in any accidental damage e.g. photography equipment scratching a wooden floor or damaging a window frame, for instance.

With Mode Insurance, you can buy Public Liability on a short-term basis quickly and easily for as little as £56 + IPT – visit our website now to get a free quote (quoted prices can differ dependant on certain factors).

When you have purchased your policy you will receive your Public Liability documents. Styled Home Studio Hosts reserve the right to request proof of insurance from you, so if requested you’re ready to provide your insurance documents right away.

What is Public Liability insurance?

Public Liability insurance is a form of cover that protects businesses and professionals against the costs of legal claims made by third parties for injuries or damage to property.

This type of insurance is designed to protect you from claims that escalate into legal actions. Should a claim progress to this stage, your policy can cover the expenses involved, including any compensation payments.

At its core, Public Liability insurance is a safety net. It covers compensation costs and defence fees should you inadvertently cause injury to someone or damage their property in the course of your work activities.

In the context of renting a space using the Styled Home Studios platform, Public Liability insurance is important as it provides peace of mind to the homeowners that there is sufficient cover in place in case any accidental damage is caused to their property while it is rented out.

What other insurance should I consider?

As well as making sure you have the right amount of Public Liability insurance in place, you may also want to make sure all of your important photography, filming, sound and production equipment is protected against loss, theft and accidental damage.

Business equipment insurance can cover all the kit you need, such as:

*Technical equipment – cameras, laptops, graphic tablets, sound equipment and more.

*Musical instruments – from guitars to keyboards, drums to violins.

*Portable gear – equipment you take on-the-go, from location shoots to client meetings.

As your equipment is the backbone of your creative process, it can be important to make sure you have insurance in place. Here are some reasons why insuring your equipment can be a good idea:

*High replacement costs – quality equipment is an investment. Insurance helps mitigate the financial strain of replacements.

*Business continuity – damaged equipment can halt projects. Insurance can mean minimal downtime so you can keep working and keep earning.

*Peace of mind – focus on your craft, knowing you are protected if something happens to your essential tools.

*Accidents do happen – no matter how careful you are things can get lost, damaged or stolen.

What happens in the event of a claim?

In terms of Public Liability insurance, if an accident or incident occurs you should:

• Act quickly in order to minimise any further risk of injury or property damage e.g. make sure injured parties receive appropriate medical assistance etc.
• Contact your insurance company as soon as possible – even if the injured party have not made a claim against you yet. Your insurer will be able to clarify if you are covered for the incident and provide help and advice with what to do next.
• Make a record of what happened including specific details of what lead up to the accident and how the injury or property damage occurred. No matter how insignificant you think a detail may be, it is important to note it down as it may prove crucial in understanding who was at fault.
• At this stage, do not admit fault. If a claim is made by the third party then an investigation will take place to determine liability – so leave this to your insurance company.

If you need to make a claim for lost, stolen or damaged equipment, you should:

• Notify your insurance company as soon as you are aware of the loss. Whether your equipment has been stolen, lost or damaged, it is important to report it to your insurer straight away so they can tell you whether you are covered, what your excess is and what they need from you next.
• If your equipment has been stolen, you should also report it to the police as your insurance company will likely require a crime reference number.
• If you are claiming for damaged equipment, take photographs of the damage so you can send them to your insurance company as evidence.
• Collect your receipts and proof of ownership documents for all of the items you are submitting a claim for.

About Mode Insurance

At Mode Insurance we understand how important it is for creative freelancers and small businesses in the creative sectors to get the right insurance for their needs. That’s why we provide flexible and accessible insurance that puts creative workers in control of their protection.

As the approved insurance partner of Styled Home Studios, Mode Insurance offers short-term Public Liability cover for however many days you need it for – from one day up to 180 days.

You can also buy an annual policy so you have continuous cover for your filming projects and photo shoots.

We also offer a choice of cover limits, so you can get the minimum requirement of £1m cover, or choose to increase it to £2m, £3m of £5m to suit your needs.

*Short term insurance for Public Liability or Equipment insurance

*Cover starting from £56 + IPT

*Choose your length of cover – from 1 day to 180 days, or annual

*Instant cover, buy now and receive your insurance documents immediately

*Equipment insurance cover up to £50,000

*Peace of mind that you have the correct insurance and the minimum level of cover required by Styled Home Studios

To learn more, visit https://modeinsurance.co.uk/styled-home-studios/

(We think that it’s important to state that Styled Home Studios has no financial incentive from this partnership)

Visit the Mode Insurance website now to get a free quote for Equipment insurance.