1. Know what you want
Your needs as a photographer won’t be the same as the next guy in line, so specify everything you want in your policy and make sure nothing ‘extra’ is tagged on that you’ll never need.
2. Be specific
Tell the insurer what level of photographer you class yourself as, how often and where you like to shoot, the total cost you have estimated to replace all of your equipment and what your budget is.
3. Genre specific
Inform the customer service representative what photography genres you tend to pursue, as this could (but not always) have a bearing on your final quote. For example landscape enthusiasts could stand to pay more as they are out and about more often and this could leave them more likely to theft and accidents, compared to portrait or macro photographers for example.
4. Get the best deal
Like every other type of insurance cover available there is an ocean of options available. Start with comparison sites to track down the cheapest or most suitable quote for you and then call the helpline to tailor the package perfectly to your needs and nail down the fine print.
5. Cut out the fat
Don’t be suckered into adding in extras to your policy that you may never use; such as indemnity insurance if you are an amateur or travel cover if you don’t photograph abroad. Also if you don’t leave equipment in your car over night, you may be able to reduce the premium. Don’t be afraid to speak candidly to the broker to get the policy you want.
6. Check the Excess
The amount of excess you agree to pay if an accident or loss should occur will generally affect the premium price of the policy; i.e. the more excess is – the lower the premium price is, and vice versa. Be sure to know what your cover offers and extend it if necessary by purchasing further policy extensions.
7. Everyone loves a bargain
Never be afraid to haggle and don’t be afraid to play one company off of another to get a better deal.
8. Look for dedicated services
There are hundreds of photography dedicated insurer brokers out there so try investigating these first as more generic all-encompassing-brands may not be able to tailor your demands quite as well which could cost more.
9. Be honest
Make sure you are always upfront and honest otherwise you could end up with nothing if a claim has to be made.
10. Repeat annually
When your yearly cover starts to come to an end, be sure to repeat the process of shopping around for the best deal. What is more you should be in a better position in knowing what you have and haven’t needed cover for throughout the year and can tailor your policy further (but that’s not to say the worse won’t happen). Alternatively tell your current insurer that you are looking around for the best deal for the coming year, this may prompt them into offering you a fantastic deal to keep your business.
