glenmarshall

Extended warranty insurance is, at best, a means to increase profits. Collecting on it, should the need arise, is difficult.

If you are using a camera as a business asset, you'd be better off to insure it via regular commercial coverage.

If it is just a hobby, self-insure it. As a rule of thumb, don't buy something breakable that you cannot afford to replace.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Never - on anything - and never needed it. I've saved enough to buy a new body.

MTG44 Loc: Corryton, Tennessee

Purchased a new Toyota in 07 and bought the extended warranty. 18 months later rear axle had to be replaced. It was a 2500$ repair and it was no charge. Also bought a Fit -Bit and purchased warranty and they replaced it twice at no charge after I went swimming with it in my pocket.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

That's my usual concern, water damage, instant disqual if no water coverage, I look for "dropped off boat", as I'm around water a lot, I guess I just self insure, did have one at one time that covered all risks, forget who was the carrier, don't have any insurance on cameras now, after 1 year old why bother, new stuff out there, Bob.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

After reading your post it appears you favor purchasing the extended warranty. It really is a personal choice. Everyone offers these because they are such profit makers for retailers. You have to ask yourself if it makes you feel better to have it then go ahead. Personally I have never every bought any extended warranty on anything. I figure if it doesn't break during the initial warranty chances are it is not going to go bad. I have never had a camera or lens that needed repaired. But, I only use Nikon and Sony and have never owned a camera body beyond 5 years and in most cases 3 years. I tend to hold on to lenses for much longer, in fact, I have several Minolta AF lenses for my Sony A99 and A77II, many of these lenses were built in 1989 to 1995, ALL are working great, I figure my kids can worry about them some day.

JBohinc Loc: Chesterland Ohio

I purchased a Nikon D600 ( Factory refurb) from Cameta and Tamron 24-70 2.8 lens. ( import no USA warranty) on Ebay.
Bought a extended warranty from Cameta camera covering both lens and camera. got the best of both worlds. Never needed it (thank goodness.) Gear works flawlessly.

Other than for this "type" of product, I never buy extended warranties.

edazz Loc: Florida via New York

I use SquareTrade.com for anything electronic. It''s cheaper than manufacturer warranties and usually for twice the time period. I cover my cameras, lenses, flash units, triggers, cell phones, printers, computers, tv etc. they repair or replace if repair is not practical.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I have a policy with State Farm for all my gear including flash and accessories. No deductible, no depreciation. About $40/year for over $3000 of value. Replacement or repair covered. For amatueres only, pros cost is way more.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Hi Barb,
I have a separate rider on my home insurance policy - no deductible, full replacement - that covers all my photography equipment, including a laptop. For each item, I email a copy of the purchase receipt to Liberty Mutual. I have not purchased an extended warranty.
Mark

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

I almost never buy the extended warranties; I might exception for new technology . My experience has been that if a quality new product especially electronics makes it through the OEM's guarantee period, it will last far beyond it. Electronics, with normal usage, if defective, will fail within 90 days of use. If it is isn't considered a quality item, why buy it?

My reply to sales people who push the extra guarantee periods is to ask them why, if something is a good as he/she said it is, do I need the extra insurance, and if I do I'm buying the wrong product.

The only time I almost got burned was with a 1990 Saab; it swallowed the timing chain going down a long grade in western NY State with about two weeks left on the guarantee. I didn't realize it until I got to the bottom of the grade and needed power to go up the next hill. By then with the engine being driven by the momentum over the 1/2 mile downhill, the chain has been smashed into smithereens and the little pieces were throughout the lubrication system. The Saab maintenance manager said they were picking out little pieces of steel with tweezers. The repair bill was entirely covered by Saab with no argument and was in excess of $2,000 including new pistons, new valves, bearings, gaskets etc.

RRS Loc: Not sure

Never! The warranty time period has been very carefully checked and about 95% of the time nothing will break down. Consumer Reports says that it's a waist of good money. I have all my camera gear covered by a separate insurance policy and always add new equipment when I buy.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

I didn't know you could buy a new body. I'll have to get one. The one I have now is fat, worn out and falling apart.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Go for two!! One of each sex. Could be fun.
Mark

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I don't. Canon makes a product that if it makes it the first month for me then likely it will outlast any extended warranty. I do have an insurance rider for my equipment though for theft etc. Too expensive to replace otherwise.

flathead27ford Loc: Colorado, North of Greeley

I don't. Most cameras are built well beyond most manufactured type equipment. I just saw numbers I think here on UHH compared to some other items people purchase. Failures were less than double digit numbers for cameras. Of course there are always the lemons of any thing you might buy. I have bought most of my photographic equipment used and it all is still going strong. Knock on wood. Most of the time, extended warranties are a money making scam for the sellers. Cheers.