PPA INSURANCE: What It Is, Coverage, Claims, and Reviews

The Professional Photographers of America (PPA) provides its members with PPA insurance coverage. American-based PPA is a professional association for photographers that provides its members with several advantages and services, including insurance coverage. For various claims that could result from their work, the PPA insurance program offers liability coverage to professional photographers. This covers coverage for claims including bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury. This might be crucial for photographers whose livelihood depends on their gear. The cost of PPA insurance coverage, the process for making claims, and some online reviews will all be covered in this post.

What is PPA Insurance?

PPA insurance is a sort of insurance coverage that is given by the Professional Photographers of America organization and is specifically made for photographers. The PPA is a non-profit organization that was founded by photographers, for photographers, and they collaborate with a unique insurance partner to provide specialized plan alternatives established with photographers’ needs in mind. PPA provides its members with a variety of insurance coverage, including:

General Liability Insurance: This sort of insurance protects you against claims of personal injury and property damage made during a photo shoot or other event that you or your staff members cause.
Equipment Insurance: If your equipment is lost, stolen, or damaged, this kind of insurance will help you replace it. PPA’s membership includes coverage under their equipment insurance policy for up to $15,000 in equipment.
Drone Insurance: PPA offers drone insurance to cover any damage the drone causes while working on a paid assignment if you use drones in your photography company.
PPA Rental Property Insurance: If a landlord’s rental property becomes uninhabitable, this kind of insurance shields them from financial loss.

What is Covered Under PPA General Liability Insurance?

It covers any damage to a customer, a third party, or property for which you might be held liable. A Full Plus PPA membership now comes with coverage as a result of a collaboration between Professional Photographers of America and Lockton Affinity.

You are protected by Lockton Affinity’s PPA General Liability Insurance from:

Property and bodily injury liability, whether you’re at your home studio or out in the field
Actual or purported errors in your work that cause physical harm or property damage
Personal and advertising injury liability
Up to a total of $2 million ($1 million for each occurrence)

Reasons Photographers Should Join PPA Insurance

I seem to be spending money on something constantly. I pay annual fees for numerous services, including Dropbox, Vimeo, websites, and others. Don’t get me wrong, these services are vital and aid in the operation of my firm, but they still make me uncomfortable every time I get a bill for $200 or $400. I just have to pay one yearly charge, which is my dues to be a member of Professional Photographers of America, and I don’t mind it at all. It’s worth it. Here are 5 reasons photographers should join PPA insurance if they aren’t already, or at least consider doing so.

#1. The PPA’s Photographers’ Protection

Most organizations are founded to aid and defend a particular group of people. PPA provides incredible levels of security for photographers. Things have gotten better and better as they’ve increased protection over time.

Equipment Insurance

The only valid reason I joined six years ago was for the gear insurance. At that time, I had a sizable collection of equipment that I had bought, and I was starting to do a lot of sessions, so I wanted to make sure that everything was secure. My existence as a photographer would have ended if something crazy had occurred and I had lost equipment worth $8,000 in value. Fortunately, I learned about PPA’s equipment coverage, allowing me to snap pictures without worrying about my equipment.

Liability Insurance

Being sued is the only thing that terrifies me more than damaging every piece of equipment I own. I don’t know how things are in other countries, but it seems like Americans are suing like crazy. People are suing you for everything from tripping on your walkway to hot coffee, among other things. Even when you haven’t done anything wrong, dealing with it can be expensive, time-consuming, and emotionally draining. For those of you who worry about lawsuits as much as I do, PPA also offers several liability choices.

General Liability

Accidents do happen, and I would truly hate for a careless act on my part or the part of someone else to ruin my photography business. I’ve witnessed visitors trip over or bang over light stands several times during weddings. I’ve been fortunate so far, but I might not be so lucky if someone had fallen or been struck by the light stand.

Drone Liability

Have you ever been struck by a 20-pound object traveling at 30 miles per hour? I don’t enjoy it either, and I truly want to refrain from doing it to other people. Although I am aware that not everyone is a drone pilot, they are becoming more and more common. Many flyers are operating without a license and disregarding FFA regulations. Avoid following their example!

Malpractice and Data Loss

Have you ever experienced a drive failure, lost a photo, or simply had a dissatisfied client? All of those things can shatter your heart and the hearts of your clients, and they may even result in legal action. However, if you belong to the PPA, you can use the Indemnification Trust. Another free (that’s right, free!) perk for PPA members is this.

One Quick Warning

I realize that I have talked endlessly about insurance. I can assure you that I am knowledgeable. However, this information is crucial. Your company could be destroyed by one error. One last quick warning before we move on, read and understand your policy. Make sure you are aware of all the rules and regulations that apply to your insurance.

#2. Education

Education may make a difference for photographers. You concur with that statement, otherwise, you wouldn’t be reading this piece on Improve Photography. PPA is a fantastic resource for education, and once again, if you’re a member, much of it is free.

#3. Photography Resources

In addition to all of the regular instruction that the PPA offers, they also supply you with a ton of materials to make things simpler and go more quickly.

#4. Awards and Degrees

To acknowledge success or accomplishment, every professional group I am aware of has some kind of award or degree. This is how you may identify the finest of the best and learn about people. Consider this. Whom would you be more comfortable entrusting your health too—someone fresh out of high school or someone with a medical degree? The same applies to photography.

#5. Discounts

The fifth and final justification for joining the Professional Photographers of America is now at hand. Even if I’ve already gone on at length about the advantages, you should still be persuaded by the fact that I haven’t finished. PPA insurance can also help you save money on items associated with photography that you would have to acquire anyhow.

Types of PPA Insurance for Photographers

Coverage provided by PPA PhotoCare Insurance:

You can get a PPA Photocare insurance policy for free if you are a member. The following coverages and features are part of this.

Deductibles amount to $350 for replaced equipment
Deductibles amount to $50 for repaired equipment
A $15,000 coverage amount
Global coverage
Computer hardware coverage
Equipment theft coverage

PPA Photo Care Plus Insurance coverage:

$100,000 in coverage amount
Only $175/year premium
Deductibles of $250 per loss
Worldwide coverage options
Computer hardware coverage
Equipment theft coverage
Theft of equipment in unlocked vehicles
Coverage for mysterious disappearances
Non-PPA member employee coverage
Drone coverage options

PPA General Liability Insurance coverage:

$1,000,000 in coverage amount
Insurance premium is just 250$ per year
Worldwide coverage options
No Deductibles
Drone coverage
Damage to third parties.
Personal injury
Libel, slander, invasion of privacy
Rental auto liability
Fire, lightning, or explosion at a rented location
Terrorism damage
Additional employees coverage

Additional Benfits of PPA Insurance

PPA is home to more than 30,000 photographers. Benefits of PPA membership include exchanging knowledge, providing support, and finding inspiration.
Free instruction in photography
Access to free copyright news and the copyright kit light
The PPA’s member magazine has provided photographers with technical advice, business expertise, and lessons from accomplished photographers.

PPA Insurance Cost

Regular members pay $149 for the second year and $99 for the first. Post-doc membership is free for the first year and costs $99 for the second. Graduates and students are not charged a membership fee, but Affiliates do.

PPA offers Student and Life Memberships with a range of costs and benefits. Imaging USA 2023’s three days are $219 for PPA members and $319 for non-members to attend. Attendance is free for students and life members. Jan. 25–27 pre-conference sessions are chargeable.

Cost reductions, resources, education, networking, and insurance are all benefits of PPA membership. The annual cost of general liability insurance is about $250. Due to PPA’s partnership with Lockton Affinity, customers receive outstanding insurance rates and support. PhotoCare premium is covered by PPA membership costs.

PPA Insurance Claims

Following are instructions for filing PPA insurance claims:

How to Make an Insurance Claim with PhotoCare Plus or PhotoCare PPA

Step 1: Download the PhotoCare claims packet.

Step 2: Complete the package’s checklist.

Don’t forget to fill out the form for the Statement of Loss, Damage, and Repairs.

Step 3: Email packet to [email protected]

You can fax your claim packet to 913.652.3973 or submit it to PPA Insurance Claims at P.O. Box 410679, Kansas City, MO 64141-0679.

Is PPA Worth it?

If you primarily rely on your photography business to support yourself and handle a lot of weddings as well as some yearbook work, it’s a great association to be a part of.
I have owned my studio for about 20 years, and I have been a PPA member the entire time.

PPA Insurance Reviews

Here is what customers had to say about PPA Insurance online:

Sirhawkeye64 • • Forum Pro • Posts: 10,979

So I’ve had a couple of different folks introduce me to PPA over the past year.

Is the monthly/annual cost of the insurance provided by PPA (both for gear and liability) worth it? I currently use a portion of my renter’s insurance policy for my equipment (covered under a valuable personal property plan), which costs about $15 monthly but does not cover liability. Just curious if PPA is worthwhile. I am aware that there are additional advantages to PPA subscriptions. Still, I was curious whether people thought there was enough value to justify my paying them $25 a month rather than my insurance provider.

I don’t really shoot professionally or for pay, but I do manage a photography club, and occasionally we do rent out locations. So far, most venues have not demanded any kind of liability insurance, but a few do, and as a result, I can no longer book those locations. If necessary, I would simply operate the picture group like a business if the PPA’s liability insurance made sense and was worthwhile.

Gato Amarillo • Veteran Member • Posts: 9,502

Liability insurance is a smart idea, in my opinion, anytime you involve other people in your photography. Even an entirely unjustified allegation can result in astronomical legal costs.

The PPA policy, which costs $225 a year, seems like a decent deal—it’s less than I’m now paying. Additionally, the membership includes sample forms, contracts, and company information, as well as equipment insurance and the indemnity trust stuff. All in all, I think it’s a decent deal.

I’ve already joined. You’ve had me considering shifting my obligation right now.
Gato

What Is a PPA in Insurance?

PPA is your best line of defense for your photography business, reputation, and clients.

What Is PPA Liability?

PPA General Liability Insurance, managed by Lockton Affinity, protects you against bodily harm and damage liability, whether you’re working at your studio or on-site.

What Are PPA Claims?

An excess/surplus lines insurer providing coverage is not authorized by or regulated by your state’s insurance department.

Does PPA Insurance Cover Theft?

Yes. Loss and theft of computer hardware are covered by PPA insurance.

Is It Worth Getting Insurance for a Camera?

Yes. A few bucks a month for a camera insurance plan might save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in repair and replacement fees.

What Insurance Protects Against Employee Theft?

It is frequently referred to as a commercial service bond or fidelity bond. Both kinds of protection may be referred to as employee theft coverage or commercial crime insurance.

Conclusion

PPA Equipment Insurance now offers replacement value coverage with a $350 deductible for replacement and a $50 deductible for repairs in comparison to their previous plan. As with any insurance, read the fine print before you join up. We sincerely hope you have fun reading it.