I was doing a styled shoot in a rented loft. The model, wearing heels, tripped over a vintage rug I brought as a prop. She broke her wrist and needed surgery ($15,000). She sued me for medical bills and lost wages. My camera gear insurance said, “We cover cameras, not people.”
Key Takeaways
- General Liability (GL): This is the insurance that covers “Bodily Injury” to third parties. Every photographer working with humans needs it.
- Medical Payments: A subset of GL. It pays small medical bills (e.g., up to $5,000) regardless of fault. This often stops a lawsuit before it starts.
- Prop Safety: You are responsible for the safety of the set. If you place a rug, light stand, or smoke machine, you own the risk.
- Waivers aren’t Bulletproof: A model release/waiver helps, but it doesn’t protect you from “Gross Negligence” (e.g., an unsafe set). Insurance provides the legal defense funds.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “The Liability Gap.”
Photographers obsess over insuring their $3,000 lens but ignore the $500,000 lawsuit risk.
Personal liability (Homeowners) excludes business activities.
Gear insurance (Inland Marine) excludes liability.
You need a Commercial General Liability (CGL) policy.
The Investigation (My Analysis of Liability)
I checked the cost of GL for photographers.
The Hartford / Hiscox
- The Cost: ~$300 – $500 per year for $1M coverage.
- The Coverage: Pays for the ambulance, the surgery, and the lawyer to defend you.
PPA
- The Benefit: General Liability is not included in basic membership (only gear is). You have to buy the “Liability Upgrade” or a separate policy.
Event Helper
- The Option: If you only shoot one big project a year, you can buy 1-day liability for ~$100.
[IMAGE: Photo of a studio set with cables taped down (Gaffer tape) and a “Watch Your Step” sign]
Comparison Table
| Feature | Gear Insurance | General Liability | Homeowners Liability |
| Covers Broken Lens | Yes | No | No |
| Covers Broken Arm | No | Yes | Denied (Business) |
| Legal Defense | No | Yes | No |
| Cost | ~$200/yr | ~$350/yr | Included |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Buy General Liability: It is tax-deductible and essential.
- Use Sandbags: Secure every stand. It prevents the injury and proves you weren’t negligent.
- Tape Cables: Gaffer tape all cables. Trip hazards are the #1 claim.
- Check Medical Payments Limit: Ensure you have at least $5,000 in MedPay. It’s the “Go away money” for minor injuries.
FAQ
What if the model is a friend?
They can still sue you. Or their health insurance provider can sue you (subrogation) to recover costs.
Does this cover my assistant?
No. Assistants are employees/contractors. You need Worker’s Comp for them. GL covers third parties (clients/public).
Does the location’s insurance cover it?
No. They will sue you for bringing the dangerous prop.