Photomacdog Loc: San Francisco (Bay Area) California

For the past several years I have been in the fortunate position to afford a nice camera and six expensive lenses. Since my wife and I are "senior citizens", who enjoy traveling around our area taking pictures, I felt we were easy targets for "hit and run" thief's. I decided to call my home owners insurance company and find out about insuring my equipment. I was amazed to find that if I listed each piece of equipment along with it's serial number and price and if I had a receipt for the item, I would be insured for the total value of the item, if it were stolen. I would like to know if this is unusual. I am use to being reimbursed for only a percentage of the value of the claim on other items I have made in the past. Do you "Hogs" insure your equipment? I would like to hear about your experiences.

tusketwedge Loc: Nova Scotia Canada

All home insurances will cover your equipment if you are not a professional.If want to insure equipment and you make your living as a photographer you better buy insurance for it separately.If you did but in a claim on your home insurance ,and you were accepting money for your service ,and found out by the insurance provider,you could be hauled into court for fraud.

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

I have my photo gear, my wife's jewelry, & insured under a Valuable Personal Property policy with USAA. The jewelry we shot pictures of when we decided to go that route & have added a few as I've given her other pieces. My camera gear, I provided copies of receipts & serial numbers as I've acquired them. The last renewal cost me $80.00 for the year. Check with your home owners/renters insurance carrier for details on their policies.

Bill_de Loc: US

Most policies have a full replacement cost option for contents. Your cameras should be covered under the policy for the same things the rest of your contents is covered for, typically fire and theft. Your policy limits apply unless otherwise stated. The way the full replacement usually works is that you receive the depreciated value initially, and the difference after you replace the item. The company may also have the option to replace the item for you. When I was working, we would order from B & H and the customers were mostly very happy.


You shouldn't need to provide serial numbers, any more than you would for an expensive TV. But, doing so doesn't hurt. Do be sure that your policy has "off premises theft", as some won't cover things stolen away from home.

You can buy supplemental insurance for camera gear, specific jewelry pieces, etc. These 'riders' tend to be expensive, but cover just about anything, like losing or dropping something. If you want that type of coverage, there are companies that specialize in this, and might be cheaper than adding it to your home owner insurance.

Take the time to read your policy cover to cover. Although they are written pretty clearly today, they sometime seem to contradict themselves. The mantra was "The policy giveth, and the policy taketh away." If there is anything you don't understand, visit your agent, make him/her explain it, and put the explanation in writing, and don't take no for an answer.

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DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

My insurance company,AMICA,requires receipts and serial numbers. Very reasonable for theft only.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Hi there nicksr1125, I also enjoy the benefits of being a member of USAA. I joined back when I was traveling and buying electronic gear. My first single lens reflex came from the shop across from Yakota A B main gate. In those days everyone was buying Sansui Quad Channel stereos and Minolta cameras with a speaker brand I can not remember. If only we could turn back the clock, that Minolta SRT 102 cost me $150.00, a 200mm Minolta telephoto lens was $100.00. Semi-decent gear for great prices! That camera was top-drawer with a built-in light meter. I worried about carrying equipment in foreign nations but with USAA the location of the items is not a concern. If they insure it you can rest assured they do not care where it is. Great company to do business with.

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

Greetings David. My wife was a member when we got married in 1974. Every time I've talked to another insurance company and they find out we're with USAA, they shut up & walk away. Great company, great rates.

If any of you Hogs out there are active duty or honorably separated, enlisted or officer, you're eligible to join.

Bill_de Loc: US

They are a great company, but your statement may not be 100% correct. Off premises coverage is optional with most companies, although most agents add it, and it seems USAA is no exception. From their website;

"Protection for Your Belongings

"Feel better knowing that the personal property you keep inside — clothes, furniture, appliances and more — is also covered by a USAA Homeowners Insurance policy."

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Anandnra Loc: Tennessee

My State Farm agent sold me a "Personal Articles Policy" outside of my Homeowner's Policy that is supposed to cover (first dollar loss) any kind of loss or damage due to drops etc - worldwide coverage. I provided serial numbers and receipts and it's covered to the extent of what I paid for the gear. Reasonable priced at about $9 per thousand if I remember correctly.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

I should have pointed out that if a USAA member insures a vehicle the coverage is effective anywhere in the world. Same with household goods. Do not know if any other insurance company offers this but I have yet to hear of it. A real hot item for members assigned to installations in the southwest. If they want to take a trip some weekend and run to Baja in their sports car they know they have coverage. We never worried where our "stuff" was, it was covered.

Tracy B. Loc: Indiana

That is what I have also. Plus my 3 guitars are covered. My Husband's guitars are not because he is in a band and earns money with them.

al davis Loc: chesterfield virginia

I have my equipment covered through my home owners policy also. When I joined aarp they gave me an excellent price through the Hartford company. coverage is also 100% up to $ 10,000 and then 80% after that.

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

That's why we have a separate Valuable Personal Property (VPP) policy.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

I have Amica as well. I have a "rider" for camera gear on the homeowner's policy. Cost is minimal. I listed all equipment, providing descriptions, serial numbers and copies of receipts. My coverage is supposed to be "all loss", meaning my gear is covered for anything. If I drop the camera, I'm covered. :thumbup:

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I've had a rider on my Liberty Mutual Homeowner's policy for many years. Each time I purchase another piece of equipment, I simply add it to the list. It gives me peace of mind.

Mark