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Photographer & Videographer Insurance
Photographer & videographer insurance helps protect you from the many risks that come with your profession. Whether you’re shooting weddings, corporate events, or studio sessions, this coverage ensures you can focus on capturing your best shots with confidence and peace of mind.
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APOLLO and Gallagher Partner to Protect Your Business
We've partnered with Gallagher, one of Canada's leading insurance brokers, to provide insurance designed for businesses and business professionals. Get professional liability, general liability, and/or contents insurance designed specifically for your profession.
Get insurance in three easy steps
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Choose the payment plan that suits you best.
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Get your policy documents in an email instantly
Three kinds of coverages included in Photographer & Videographer Insurance
Professional Liability Insurance
Professional liability insurance for photographers and videographers helps protect you from client claims alleging errors, missed deadlines, or dissatisfaction with your work. If a client says your photos didn't meet expectations or an editing mistake caused them financial loss, this coverage can respond to legal fees and settlement costs.
General Liability Insurance
General liability insurance provides essential protection for accidents that happen during a shoot. From a guest tripping ocer your tripod at a wedding to property damage caused while filming on-site, this coverage helps pay for third-party injury or damage claims so you can focus on your craft, not the courtroom.
Contents Insurance
Contents insurance covers your valuable gear, including cameras, lenses, lighting, and editing equipment. Whether it's stolen from your car, damaged on location, or lost in transit, this policy helps ensure you can get back behind the lens quickly without the financial strain of replacing your tools.
Photographers and Videographers Offer Valuable Services
As a photographer or videographer, you're more than someone who takes great shots.
You're a creative professional trusted to capture life's most important moments, from corporate events to weddings to cinematic storytelling. Clients rely on your technical skill, artistic vision, and judgment to deliver lasting memories and content that tells their story.
Whether you run your own studio, work freelance, or travel to client locations, there are different types of coverage you need to protect your business, your equipment, and your reputation.
You're Not Just a Creator. You're a Business Owner.
Clients trust you with their milestones and memories, often paying signifact fees for your expertise. With that trust comes responsibility, and potential risk.
Insurance safeguards your business from unexpected challenges. From liability claims if someone is injured on set, to coverage for lost or damaged gear, having the right protection means you can keep creating without interruption.
You're legally and professionally expected to deliver your work with a standard that reflects your training and expertise, and photographer and videographer insurance makes sure you're covered if something goes wrong.
Commonly Asked Questions About Photographer & Videographer Insurance
Do photographers and videographers really need insurance in Canada?
Yes. Even with the best preparation, accidents can happen. From damaged client property to lost footage. insurance helps protect your business from costly claims and ensures you're not paying out of pocket for unexpected events.
What type of insurance does a photographer or videographer need?
Most professionals need three core types of coverage:
Professional liability insurance, to protect against client disputes or alleged errors.
General liability insurance, to cover third-party injuries or property damage.
Contents insurance, to protect your cameras, lenses, and other gear from theft, loss, or damage.
How much does photographer or videographer insurance cost?
Coverage typically starts around $25 to $60 per month, depending on factors like your location, type of shoots, and total equipment value. It's a small investment compared to the cost of replacing stolen gear or settling a client claim.
Is insurance required to work as photographer or videographer?
While not always legally required, many venues, event organizers, and clients will ask for proof of insurance before hiring you or allowing you on-sire. Having coverage makes you look professional and prepared.
What if I'm a part-time or freelance photographer?
You still need coverage. Even one project can expose you to liability risks or equipment damage. APOLLO offers flexible, affordable options perfect for part-time or seasonal professionals.
How quickly can I get proof of insurance?
Instantly. With APOLLO, you can get a quote, buy your policy online, and receive your proof of insurance in minutes. No phone calls or paperwork required.
How Much Does Photographer & Videographer insurance Cost in Canada?
In most cases, a photographer or videographer insurance policy costs less than replacing a single lens, and far less than covering an unexpected claim on your own.
Most professionals can expect to pay between $25 to $60 per month for comprehensive coverage. Pricing depends on where you work, what kind of projects you take on, and how much equipment you own.
Here’s what impacts the cost of your policy:
Where You Work
Do you shoot in a studio, on location, or at client events?
Working in busy environments like weddings or coporate spaces increases your exposure to third-party risks, while studio-based work may have lower liability concerns.
Equipment Value
How much is your gear worth?
Your camera, lenses, and accessories are the backbone of your business. The more equipment you own, the higher the replacement cost, and your premium.
Type of Projects
Do you shoot weddings, commercials, or creative content?
High-pressure or large-scale shoots can carry greater risks for client disputes or missed deadlines, which can affect your professional liability coverage.
Annual Revenue or Client Volume
Do you work full time or take occasional freelance gigs?
Higher revenue or frequent bookings can slightly increase your premium since your exposure to potential claims grows with your workload
Coverage Limits
How much protection do you need?
Many venues and clients require at least $2 million in liability coverage. You can easily customize your limits based on your comfort level and professional requirements.
Where Photographers & Videographers Work Matters
Snowy Shoots in Edmonton
Alberta winters are famous for their beauty and their unpredictability. Freezing temperatures and icy sidewalks can make it challenging to transport your gear safely between vehicles and venues.
Example: While carrying your equipment into a client's event space, you slip on an icy step, damaging your camera and lens.
Insurance Solution: Contents insurance helps pay for repair or replacement costs if your gear is accidentally damaged during transport or setup.
Rainy Weddings in Vancouver
Vancouver’s constant drizzle may make for dreamy photos, but it can be a nightmare for your equipment. Even brief exposure to moisture can short-circuit cameras, drones, and lighting gear.
Example: During an outdoor ceremony, a sudden downpour damages your lens and lighting setup.
Insurance Solution: Contents insurance reimburses you for water-damaged gear, ensuring your next shoot isn't delayed while you replace essential equipment.
Busy Streets in Toronto
Toronto's event venues and downtown shoots often involve large crowds, tight spaces, and fast-paced environments. With so many people around, accidents can easily happen.
Example: A guest trips over one of your cables during a corporate shoot and sprains their ankle. They file a claim for medical expenses.
Insurance Solution: General liability insurance covers third-party injury or property damage claims so one accident doesn't derail your business or reputation.
Windy Outdoor Shoots in Halifax
The East Coast's strong winds can turn an outdoor shoot into a balancing act. Especially when you're working with light stands, tripods, and softboxes.
Example: A gust of wind knocks over your light stad, scratching a client's car parked nearby.
Insurance Solution: General liability insurance pays for damages to third-party property, helping you maintain professional relationships and peace of mind.
What Clients & Venues Require from Photographers and Videographers
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Certificate of Insurance (COI)
This document proves you have active insurance coverage, and many venues, event planners, or production clients won't let you work without it. With APOLLO, you can download your COI instantly after purchasing your policy online.
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Additional Insured
Event organizers, venue owners, or production studios may ask to have their name added to your policy as an "additional insured." This gives them protection in case a claim arises during your shoot, such as property damage or guest injury.
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Minimum Liability Requirements
Many professional venues and corporate clients require at least $2 million in general liability coverage, though some may request higher limits for large productions or multi-day events.
Liability Quiz
Am I liable if a guest trips over my lighting cables during a shoot?
Yes. You could be held responsible for third-party injuries that occur during a session, even if it was an accident. General liability insurance helps cover medical and legal expenses in these cases.
Am I liable if a client claims I missed key moments or lost footage?
Yes. If a client alleges professional negligence or lost income due to your work, professional liability insurance can help cover the cost of legal defence and potential settlements.
Am I liable if I accidentally damage a client's property during a shoot?
Yes. Whether you scratch a venue floor with a tripod of knock over a decorative item, general liability insurance covers the cost of third=party property damage.
Am I covered if my gear is stolen from my car or a shoot location?
Yes, contents insurance helps pay for replacement or repair of stolen cameras, lenses, and other essential gear.
The Cost of Not Having Photographer or Videographer Insurance
Scenario | Out-of-Pocket Cost (Without Insurance) | Covered by Insurance? |
A guest trips over your tripod at a wedding and sues for medical costs. | $10,000–$50,000+ (legal + settlement) | ✔ General Liability |
Your camera bag is stolen from your car after a shoot. | $2,000–$10,000+ | ✔ Contents Coverage |
A client claims you lost their wedding footage and demands compensation. | $5,000–$25,000+ (depending on outcome) | ✔ Professional Liability |
You accidentally knock over a prop and damage a rented venue’s wall. | $3,000–$15,000 | ✔ General Liability |
Insurance Is a Business Essential, Not Just a Backup Plan
Photographer & Videographer Insurance does more than protect your equipment. It protects your livelihood. It's a professional tool that helps you stay compliant, earn client trust, and keep your creative business running smoothly.
Qualify for more opportunities — Many venues and corporate clients require proof of insurance before they'll work with you.
Earn client trust — A Certificate of Insurance demonstrates your professionalism and reliability.
Protect your gear and projects — From expensive cameras to editing software, insurance ensures you're not paying out of pocket when something goes wrong.
Leave room for growth — Planning to expand your services or hire additional shooters? Insurance provides a solid foundation for scaling your business confidently.
Top 5 Mistakes Photographers & Videographers Make (And How to Avoid Them)
1. Assuming your venue or client covers you
Most event spaces and production studios expect you to have your own coverage, not the other way around.
2. Waiting until your next big job to get insured
Accidents can happen anytime, even during small gigs or unpaid shoots. Coverage should start before your first booking.
3. Forgetting to insure your equipment properly
Your camera gear is your livelihood. Underinsuring can leave you paying thousands out of pocket.
4. Not listing venues or clients as Additional Insureds
If a claim arises, failing to include them could cause delays or disputes. APOLLO makes it simple to add them instantly online.
5. Thinking small gigs mean small risks
Even a short portrait session or promo shoot can lead to costly claims. Having the right protection means you never have to gamble on "it won't happen to me."