Through the Lens - CLOSED

Merry Christmas - Take time and smell the flowers

With shares tumbling, banks being recapitalised and budgets running over forecast it is easy to get bogged down and feel depressed about work and the economy. But as photographers we are privileged. We get to meet people - the great and the good, the famous and the infamous. We capture memories and despite what people think we have a special skill that everyone recognises but few can replicate. Take a break over Christmas, reflect on how lucky we are and come back refreshed and invigorated in the New Year. In the meantime Merry Christmas.

From iPhone

This is my first post from iPhone. It means I can post blogs on the run. Expect more

Public Liability and the IPPA

The IPPA seem to be getting their act together of late.  Recent innovations such as "Happy Faces" and Orientation Days are to be welcomed - indeed we have acknowledged the work on this blog.  But in a recent letter to all members the president Gerry O'Leary outlined a requirement for public liability to the amount of €6.5 million.  I do believe that all professional photographers should have adequate insurance cover but I would like to know how the amount of €6.5 million was arrived at.  Before going any further all professional photographers should know that every €1 million cover costs approximately €100 extra per annum.

In the UK the standard cover for Professional Photographers is £2 million sterling*.  If work is being undertaken in high risk areas, like airports etc.,  this can be increased to £5 million but this is generally done on a temporary basis.

The OPW has confirmed to IPWS that the minimum cover required is €1.5 million but a more acceptable figure is €2.6 million.  This is the body who control many of the public parks and monuments around Ireland.  Despite enquiries from IPWS a number of other bodies haven't been able to confirm their insurance requirements.  This lack of clarity can really only mean that they don't have definite policy requirements.

So why then are members of the IPPA required to have such a high cover?   I wouldn't have thought we are particularily high risk and in all my years in the industry I have never heard of a claim to a fraction of the amounts being set as a requirement.  I trust they aren't taking guidance only from O'Brien Finlay who advertised only policies for Public Liability limits of indemnity of 6.5 million in the 2007 IPPA insurance leaflet.  When I enquired with the IPPA I was simply informed that it was "council policy" but they were mindful of feedback from members. 

Perhaps the IPPA might revisit this requirement and bring it into line with what the industry really needs and thus save photographers a large wedge of cash!  Then they might set about lobbying the various bodies to accept a figure inline with the OPW because the things we need here are consistancy and representation - not larger bills! 

I would welcome your views.

Alan M

*Please note neither of these sample companies sell into Ireland but Towergate do - and by the way IPWS gets no funding from any company involved in selling insurance - but we welcome support from any quarter.

Insurance Company 1

Insurance Company 2 Uk