LPA FUTURES 2023 - WILLIAMSON CARSON
With the deadline for LPA Futures 2023 looming (May 1st!) we caught up with one of our fabulous Partners to talk all things legal eagle. Thanks to Williamson Carson each of our 3 winners shall receive £300 towards an insurance policy which is extremely valuable for up and coming photographers, particularly for the clumsy amongst us (guilty as charged).
Now it’s time to turn our attention to director Matthew Whinney, who answered our questions regarding all things indemnity.
How long have Williamson Carson specialised in insuring photographers?
Since 1986!
Williamson Carson seem at the forefront of the commercial photography world, with your support of the Agents group (PAL), the AOP and industry events, how did this all come about?
Tom and John started insuring film companies and photographers in the early 80s before starting Williamson Carson. It just all flowed from there . . . they saw an opportunity to specialise in the industry. At that time most insurance brokers were what you would call “high street” companies, “jack of trades”. John and Tom saw an opportunity to specialise in the industry which at the time was booming in London in particular, due to the emergence of the London fashion industry.
What are the main types of insurance you’d recommend a photographer gets, are there any must haves?
Professional indemnity, public liability, employer’s liability and importantly equipment insurance. To go one step further they may wish to consider production and re-shoot insurance
Is there an insurance a photographer needs that is a legal requirement ?
Yes, if they have assistants and employees working with them, they must have employers’ liability
What’s the most unusual claim you have had to deal with?
A film set being destroyed by the Thailand Tsunami!
What’s been the biggest .. phew, good job they were insured moment!?
Again, film set being destroyed by the Thailand Tsunami! 😊
Have you seen many changes in the insurance world over the years, have any new types of insurance been introduced?
It’s ever changing, we have gone full cycle. From old fashioned film, to digital and we are now seeing clients wanting to us revert back to old film again. In terms or new insurance, the importance and emergence of cyber insurance is perhaps the most recent a notable change
What's your favourite thing about insurance?
Insurance often has a bad reputation . . . when you meet a new person, I used to be embarrassed to tell them I work in insurance . . . especially when the first thing that comes to people’s mind is car insurance!
But, we have some instances recently where we have literally ‘saved’ businesses, because the insurance has protected them when then needed it most.
This is incredibly satisfying. We recently had a client that was sued in America for a copyright infringement. Without the insurance the business owner would have faced a dilemma of
a) Closing their business
b) Re-mortgaging their home to pay the legal fees.
All was avoided due to the insurance that was in place.
Find out more about Williamson Carson here.
So…the message here is, get insured! Insurance is just one element of a photographer's business that the LPA Futures x 3 winners will receive guidance on. Tune in next week to hear from another of our competition Partners.
To find out about all things LPA Futures 2023 including how to enter here.