Hired/Non-Owned Auto Insurance is vital to professional photographers that use their own automobiles, have employees and/or frequently rent vehicles when traveling.
When is Hired/Non-owned automobile coverage necessary?
As a professional photographer and business owner, you are likely to find yourself in situations where this coverage is needed: Do you ever rent vehicles when traveling? Do your employees ever run errands for you? Do you ask your models to meet you at a specific location(s) for shoots? Does your assistant ever pick-up lunch?
Hired/Non-owned Automobile Liability for Photographers:
If your photography business is incorporated and you use your own automobile, have employees, or frequently rent automobiles when you travel, Hired/Non-owned Automobile coverage is vitally important. Your employee’s routine trip to the photo lab or the bank could have serious financial repercussions for you and your business if your employee causes an accident with his or her own vehicle. Hired/Non-owned Automobile Liability is an easy addition to your Insurance policy, and with a standard limit of $1,000,000 will go far in protecting you against accident victims seeking “deeper pockets.” This coverage is secondary and in addition to General Liability Coverage.
Automobile Physical Damage for Photographers:
This adds coverage to general liability for physical damage to hired autos. “Hired” means any auto you or your employee lease, hire, rents or borrows under contract in your or your employees name which is used in connection with your business with a gross vehicle weight of 20,000lbs or less. You MUST have a signed contract that simply states the fact they approve the use of their vehicle in your care, custody and control and charge you accordingly for days you had the vehicle. Even if it is promotional consideration in lieu of actual dollars, there must be a signed agreement between you and lessor.
To put it simply, if you OR your employees EVER drive any vehicles for business purposes, and the vehicle(s) is not owned by your business, hired/non-owned automobile coverage is a must! As always, please contact us if you have any questions or would like a free coverage review: Email karen@apainsuranceservices.com or call 877.269.9021!
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