Beware of sneaker waves, now what: Yes, the unthinkable happened. While attending a workshop on the Oregon coast, I was deep in compositional thinking and down I went with my Canon 5d...

wowbmw Loc: Grant, Colorado

Yes, the unthinkable happened. While attending a workshop on the Oregon coast, I was deep in compositional thinking and down I went with my Canon 5d mark lll and sigma 105 macro lens attached. To make matters worse, I had my 70-200 and 17-40 lenses in my think tank belt along with my iPhone 4S. Long and short of this when I called Canon, the tech said the camera was likely toast because of the way it was firing even when turned off but perhaps the lenses could be fixed. Insurance says I'm not covered because they do not insure for waves. Has this sort of accident happened to anyone out there and if so, what did you do or what would you suggest.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Camera insurance proper insurance covers all eventualities

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

From what I've learned, what your Insurance told you about waves is a lot of crap....

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

donrent wrote:

From what I've learned, what your Insurance told you about waves is a lot of crap....

I could not agree with you more.....

colo43 Loc: Eastern Plains of Colorado

What a horrid thing to have happened to your gear.
I hope that some remedy is in the making short of out of pocket expenses.

Desert Gecko Loc: desert southwest, USA

Do you have homeowner's? Some policies cover things like this away from home.

Rabbott Loc: Grass Valley , California

same thing happened to me,,, fortunately it was not a very expensive camera. it did, however , push me into getting one !!! sorry for you loss, I learned, salt water and electronics DON'T mix,, and I learned a lot about reading the waves.

wowbmw wrote:

Yes, the unthinkable happened. While attending a w... (show quote)

EstherP

wowbmw wrote:

Insurance says I'm not covered because they do not insure for waves. Has this sort of accident happened to anyone out there and if so, what did you do or what would you suggest.

Rather than what the insurance agent or the insurance telephone receptionist says, what does your policy say?
EstherP

wowbmw Loc: Grant, Colorado

duane13 wrote:

Do you have homeowner's? Some policies cover things like this away from home.

Yes, I have homeowners insurance and the agent sent me a copy of it with the clause highlighted about flood, waves, tsunami and all water related issues. Of course they are talking about natural disasters and my case was an accident. Been with State Farm since the 70s and when I called my agent the response was letting me know that a successful claim could raise my rates and an unsuccessful claim would still be on my record. I have filed a claim and waiting for a call from the adjuster but because of the flood damage in Colorado, it may some time before I get a call.

The camera parts are not all impaired. Wonder if it could be sold for parts.

wowbmw Loc: Grant, Colorado

EstherP wrote:

Rather than what the insurance agent or the insurance telephone receptionist says, what does your policy say?
EstherP

Thanks for responding. See my next post for that information.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

You were lucky. Just a word of advice to coastal visitors. Every year several people are killed by sneaker waves carrying large logs and such. Always be alert and keep an eye on the waves! But then, we don't get the tornadoes like Colorado.

Rabbott Loc: Grass Valley , California

yeah,, same thing here, in Calif. always keep one eye on the surf.

OddJobber wrote:

You were lucky. Just a word of advice to coastal visitors. Every year several people are killed by sneaker waves carrying large logs and such. Always be alert and keep an eye on the waves! But then, we don't get the tornadoes like Colorado.

wowbmw Loc: Grant, Colorado

OddJobber wrote:

You were lucky. Just a word of advice to coastal visitors. Every year several people are killed by sneaker waves carrying large logs and such. Always be alert and keep an eye on the waves! But then, we don't get the tornadoes like Colorado.

Thanks for the response. I was raised on the pacific coast and knew better but some humans think it will never happen to them. Count me as one of them. I was fortunate to come away with a bruised wrist and ego.

wowbmw Loc: Grant, Colorado

Rabbott wrote:

same thing happened to me,,, fortunately it was not a very expensive camera. it did, however , push me into getting one !!! sorry for you loss, I learned, salt water and electronics DON'T mix,, and I learned a lot about reading the waves.

Appreciate your thoughts. In my case, I was stupid enough to be reading the view finder and not the waves. It was low tide and hardly any waves near me. Won't be fooled again.

wowbmw Loc: Grant, Colorado

colo43 wrote:

What a horrid thing to have happened to your gear.
I hope that some remedy is in the making short of out of pocket expenses.

Well, I have been spoiled by the Mark lll so another one is on order while the case settles out. I did have a backup 7D body and my 24-105 safely in the trunk of my car so I could continue with several more days of the workshop.

Let me add the the workshop leadership had warned me of this danger and that when it happened they were quick to rescue me and my equipment in that order. The head of the workshop, Rick Sammon, had the foresight to pull my camera card once he was assured I was OK. This image was the swan song for the Mark lll but thankfully not for me.

Swan Song