I was shooting a wedding last night and my camera and lens was stolen right out of my bag. I was shooting as a subcontractor, but I think my employer who had a contract with these people should cover the theft under his insurance. This was a $5000 piece of equipment. Also, should I hold the photos as collateral? Is this legal? Any advice?
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No you are not covered by any insurance unless your contract say so. You are only covered by your own insurance (if you have one).
I’m in the photography myself and it sucks to get your stuff stolen but you were contracted to provide a service as a subcontractor so you are fully responsible for your own equipment. Your employer has an insurance for his “own” equiopment not yours, as a matter of fact his insurance will reject it even if he try to help you.
Think about it: You hire a guy to paint your house, his van full of equipment is stolen. Can he sue you? Of course not. He was suposed to have an insurance of his own. An he was supposed to take care of his own stuff. You hired him to do a job, you don’t have to babysit and watch his property. The same goes for you.
Holding to the pictures is illegal, you have a contract (written or oral) to do a job, if you refuse to give the photos you can be sued and you will have to pay much more than $5000.
Do you have a contract? What does it say? I’m guessing the employer has no liability
You will have to file a claim under your own insurance. You own the property, your employer does not. He cannot make a claim for something he does not own.
I think it is your loss unless the police can find it or you have insurance!
That’s why people subcontract!
Funny though, you can be sued if you don’t do the work!
If the people paid for the pics they belong to them!