What happens if someone breaks my stuff? Do I need insurance to join StudioShare.org™? Can I decide to work
only with insured professionals? Here are the answers to all questions about insurance and liability for photo
resources.
Seeing that you are insured gives others peace of mind, and may make them more likely to work with
you. You are free to opt only to work with insured members, and even require proof of insurance. For
equipment rentals, you have the option require collateral, such as a driver's license or passport, to be held
for the duration of the rental.
Letting other people use your photo equipment has risks. So does airplane travel, riding the bus, and
walking down the street. In practice, we've seen that accidents are rare, and people are usually
more careful with other people's gear than with their own.
You can always use the messaging system to contact members and make sure they know how to use equipment
they've requested.
When in doubt, we recommend only renting out equipment that can be replaced. If you're still concerned about,
for example, someone accidentally dropping your limited-edition Leica Rangefinder, then don't rent it out.
If you work as a professional photographer or service provider for the photo industry, insurance is highly
recommended. There are several major providers of photographer's insurance in the U.S. We recommend
researching different options to find an insurance policy that fits your needs.