Vic. Loc: Ohio

I just got insurance on my gear through my house insurance $5000.00 dollar coverage for $35.00 year. That is a no deductible. This covers theft and damage dropping everything.

RRS Loc: Not sure

Hi Dennis, My insurance pays 100% replacement cost and if the model is discontinued they will pay for the newer replacement model. I've never filed a claim but it sure give me peace of mind. I know of a case where a Canon 500mmf/4.0 was dropped and actually broke in half. The insurance company would have replaced it but the photographer sent it to Canon and they were able to fix it. The insurance company happily paid for the repairs!

RRS Loc: Not sure

David, mine too and I think it's the best way to go.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

:thumbup: :thumbup:

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

Care to identify the insurer? And what is their argument?

Photo Girl Loc: SE Pasco County, FL

I too, have a rider on my house insurance to cover my D5100 and the lenses. I had to send them copies of proof of purchase, but that was not big deal. At least I have peace of mind about the new camera. Now, if only I could get all my other cameras and lenses covered......

Picdude Loc: Ohio

Yeah, I agree, the coverage is actually pretty inexpensive for what you get. Homeowners/Renters insurance will cover the equipment under some circumstances, but it seems there are a lot of holes in that coverage unless you get specific riders for specific equipment. I've found, rather than tack things onto my Homeowners insurance and try to make it do extra duty, it's better all the way around to insure my devices separately. That way, if I do need to make a claim on a stolen/damaged device, I'm not weakening the coverage on something else, like my home.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

Good point. On the the other hand, there is no assurance that your separate and obscure provider will be able to quickly address your claim, and still be in business even four years from the date of purchase.

Hopesfate Loc: NC

I contacted my Ins carrier also (State Farm) after reading on here about the wedding photographers bag being walked off with. I also was told that I can purchase a separate policy for my Photography equipment/Jewelry very reasonable. Mine costs 280$ yearly and while I know it's another
bill it does give me peace of mind in the event anything would happen to my
"Stuff". My policy covers 25,000 worth (Est).
While much of my jewelry belonged to my mother I don't have proof of purchase for it. I did however take photos of each piece of jewelry.
As far as camera equipment my Ins rep told me that my insurance will 100% replace in the event it gets stolen or damaged. I was quite honest with her about the cost of some of my lenses if I were to have to replace them In opposed to what I actually paid for them. I got some great deals on a couple of lenses. She assured me that my policy would cover to replace irregardless to what I actually paid for the items. I have all of my Nikon equipment registered on Nikonusa.com. I simply printed off a sheet from "My camera Bag" on that website and gave to her. I did also provide her with photos of the actual equipment as well. For items purchased on EBay I always use Paypal. You can go back through your history on there and her receipts if needed. However my Ins Rep didn't need those. She just accepted my list from my Nikon site where all of my items are registered.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

It's MetLife! I've had a rider on my homeowner's policy with them for 15 years. They never asked me for anything (purchase receipts, proof of ownership, etc). They wanted serial numbers and the original agent asked of this was "my main source of income."

Now that everything is gone, they say that 1) I have (had) too many cameras; 2) I have to supply them with actual receipts (not copies) of all items purchased (and they won't ever give back the receipts); 3) I have to provide them with 5 years' proof that I had NO income from the photographic equipment. They claim that if I sold even 1 item made with my photography (even a $1 bookmark!), then it's a "business" and I didn't have "business insurance" on the equipment! They started out asking me for phone records, names, addesses and e-mails of all my friends and neighbors, etc. At least they backed off on all that stuff.

When you have used cameras for over 30 years and you upgrade without selling your old gear, you end up with a lot of cameras! I guess liking cameras is a crime?

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

I would sue the jackasses. This is clearly deliberate and unreasonable and courts will see that. The fact that they did not ask you to provide specific information or conditions at the start of the policy will be transparent to the courts. In California you can seek up to $10,000 in small claims court. I have no idea what others states do but clearly you have a case. The after-the-fact-efforts is nothing but fraud. Don't stop at the courts, file a complaint with a State regulatory office. In CA we have an Insurance Commissioner. Also file with the State District Attorney's Office. They make take time but you'll get revenge and compensation.

BTW, if you received more than 50% of your income from photography, many would say you have a business. Anything less is considered not.

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

if you have not already, get past the claims representative and speak with the claims manager. if no positive response, file a complaint the the California? or whatever state in which you reside, Department of Insurance. when an insurance company receives a DOI complaint, it does immediately perk up their ears!
good luck!