Comprehensive insurance for camera equipment (Page 2): Appears to me that State Farm is the way to go, State Farm works for me.

brooklyn-camera I Loc: Brooklyn, NY

Appears to me that State Farm is the way to go, State Farm works for me. https://www.statefarm.com/insurance/home-and-property/personal-articles-policy

Picture Taker wrote:

I use State Farm for years. Had a claim on a camera and lens (Fell and banged it) and was paid instantly by my agent from his office.

Im gave them the bill from Canon and the bill from Tamron and got the check.

Ron Dial Loc: Cuenca, Ecuador

Full and complete coverage is expensive and can only be obtained through a separate policy. Usually it is an "inland marine" policy and should cover the items while on and off premises, while in a car or on location or in a hotel room. Coverage should include breakage (like you drop your camera and expensive lens on cement), theft plus all risk or what is now called "special form" policy. You should also get general liability while off your premises (in case you hurt someone). There are some companies that specialize in Photographer's insurance. Hartford Insurance, Hiscox Brokers can provide custom coverage and quotes, also, PPA has a program through Lockton Brokers and is specialized for photographers. Cost will be a few hundred dollars, and you will need a COMPLETE list of everything you are insuring. If you scrimp on insurance you may be sorry later. Also dealing with a broker can provide service you may need, like getting a certificate of insurance for rented equipment or for a facility you are using.

brooklyn-camera I Loc: Brooklyn, NY

Sounds as if this policy would be for pros and a little too much for amateurs. Not to say overkill but who knows for sure, I guess it's up to the needs of the insured.

Ron Dial wrote:

Full and complete coverage is expensive and can on... (show quote)

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

brooklyn-camera I wrote:

Sounds as if this policy would be for pros and a little too much for amateurs. Not say bad but who knows, I guess it's up ti the needs of the insured.

If you as much as make one cent off an image, many companies will deny coverage for a loss on homeowner riders .
This is coming from a former insurance company underwriter (me)

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

tomad wrote:

Before you ask, I searched and found topics on this but they are all at least 2 years old and provide misleading information according to what I've found out in my own research.

I'm about to make a fairly major camera equipment purchase. I was offered a 3 year Squaretrade policy for $270 that covers accidents (drops and spills) and mechanical/electrical failures. When I read those old threads the majority of people who responded suggested (that they have, and one should get) coverage via a rider on your homeowners insurance policy.

I checked with my agent who actually called the company (Travellers) because they had ambiguous wording in the policy. He found that those riders (offered at $50 per year for my upcoming purchase) only cover loss or damage due to the same things your homeowner policy covers on your home, i.e., fire and theft. They did not cover accidents or mechanical failure. When I asked about changing companies he said that most, if not all, would offer the same coverage and exclusions.

Square trade does not cover theft as far as I can tell, so it seems that you really need both to be completely covered for all possible occurrences. Also, all those people who think they are covered under a homeowners policy better call and make sure exactly what it covers. You may think you have accident (drop and spill) coverage, but in fact you may only have fire and theft coverage.

In my research I also discovered a company called Upsie which offers a 3 year policy on the value I want to insure for $67 that appears to have the same coverage as Squaretrade ($270 for 3 years) but with a $25 deductible for accidents. I could get this for accident coverage and add it to homeowners for theft for $217 for 3 years so as to have comprehensive coverage. This is a much better deal but I haven't heard of Upsie before. Anyone have any personal experience with them?

Lastly, I have a few days to make the decision so does anyone have any other suggestions as to comprehensive coverage for camera equipment?

Thanks

Before you ask, I searched and found topics on thi... (show quote)

AAA home owners insurance, a rider, covers whatever: including a new sensor one camera needed. Zero deductible.

Jim S Loc: Barrington RI, DC now Hilton Head,

My policy is with LEXINGTON INSURANCE COMPANY ~ Personal Inland Marine Floater Policy.

Do any of you insurance experts have an opinion regarding Lexington or Inland Marine

Thanks

Ron Dial Loc: Cuenca, Ecuador

Lexington is a good company, part of the AIG group. The inland marine policy is the correct one, but review the "causes of loss" and make sure it is all risk or what is now called "special form". Read the endorsements carefully.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Ron Dial wrote:

The inland marine policy is the correct one, but review the "causes of loss" and make sure it is all risk or what is now called "special form". Read the endorsements carefully.

Not to be taken lightly.

tomad Loc: North Carolina

I'm pretty confused now, maybe the dual coverage between Squaretrade and my homeowners is the way to go to assure both the price and coverage I want. Or maybe I should look into changing my homeowners policy to State Farm!

What confuses me are all the comments about homeowners and inland marine policies (even one comment with Travellers). I have Travellers and an inland marine policy as an add on was what I was inquiring about. They stated it did not cover breakage due to drops or spills, only in the case of a travel accident like a car wreck. It also did not cover mechanical or electrical failure... that was according to the Travellers representative that my agent got on the phone. My agent even argued a bit about that coverage being insufficient and the insurance company rep insisted that was the only coverage of this type available through them.

Thanks for all your replies.

szoots

There are two types of insurance. One is the warranty that guards against equipment failure to function. The other is security for theft, loss, dumb stuff, etc. they often have some overlap. I have both Square trade and State Farm.

brooklyn-camera I Loc: Brooklyn, NY

State Farm is a seperate PPP insurance polcy. No need to change homeowners insurance.... Just give State Farm a call and tell them what you want insured and they will be glad to give you an over the phone quote.

tomad wrote:

I'm pretty confused now, maybe the dual coverage b... (show quote)

sv3noKin51E

Tomad, greetings. If you buy gear at B&H, they can sell you their special selection of SquareTrade protection; none of these policies cover theft, but if you accidentally total it while on safari, it falls in the pool, or a miscreant toddler mistakes it for a ball, as long as it's not intentional 'abuse' Square Trade has mostly gotten their act together, and currently offers the best after-market hazzard policy for camera gear. No company other than a rider on a home or business owner's policy will offer to cover a pre-owned camera for hazzards unless you have 100% content coverage, but SquareTrade from B&H will.

Adorama has a similar hazzard policy with an outfit called 'Leaf' who covers anything from cameras to air conditioners, sort of similar to SquareTrade. Depending on what the many consumer feedback sites report, Leaf isn't held in the same regard as SquareTrade. Insurance companies love to sell insurance, because they make obscene amounts of money from fearful customers, and they've it down to a combination of historical fact, and a cross between science and alchemy. They know all of the angles.

If you have complete 100% content coverage with your home-owner's policy, check with your agent to be sure, but contents usually means cameras unless they're in pro use, making a living. That's when you have to cough up the extra dough for a rider. All you can do is be careful and like any insurance, hope you never have to use it. If you do, once pays for all of the premiums. Theft always means law-enforcement reports, even though the police will tell you they'll never find the camera. Have photos of all of your gear including, original boxes, serial numbers, receipts, etc, to document that your gear is immaculate. If you don't have 100% content coverage, it's like a car; depreciation means you won't get much back from the insurance company. We always make sure our 100% contents covers every item in the house. If you can opt for a regional insurance company that doesn't cover homes in earthquake or hurricane zones, it can be much less expensive, even for an equipment rider. The key is not to fudge; if you're a pro, it'll cost more, and the truth prevails. Insurance companies know when you call, via the latest software, if there's a hint of deception in your voice. If one never lies, you never have to remember what you said, and the story comes out mostly the same way every time.

If your purchase is in the thousands, then you should consider how much risk and peace of mind you can afford. For instance, folks are so used to running over their iPhones in the driveway and dropping them off balconies, they automatically resort to invoking AppleCare+ instead of just using their common sense, or being careful. Last year, Apple tired of replacing all of those gadgets and broken screens. They hate the thought that their valued customers might actually cut into their bonus checks, so they hunkered down with their lawyers and insurance company minions to generate more mind-numbing clauses. Folks still think they can always have Apple replace their device for the cost plus deductible, only to find that if something bad does happen, at best AppleCare+ might send them them a used/remanufactured device that ain't the same as a new one. We learned the hard way when three out of of our four'remanufactured/recertified by Apple' gadgets went haywire within 9 months due to defective innards; we returned them without a single mote of dust or scratch; after 30 years working on puters and devices, we'd done everything possible, except open the device; Apple alone has their magic diagnosis machine. They grilled us for 3 minutes about possible liquid damage (no longer covered) but no liquid ever comes close to our devices.

With all gadgets including cameras, if you buy a a pre-owned model in good to excellent condition, it's by far more economical to just buy another 'pre-owned' or refurbished device in good operating condition, especially if it's your go-to favorite camera. A couple of dings don't affect the operation of a good 'used' camera that has been treated well and traded into NY by the prior owner; these companies comprehensively test trade-ins, and you have between 30-60 days after it arrives (next-day if you pay for it) to invoke your return privilege/RMA request; if you send it back in the same condition it arrived, if it didn't meet your expectations or if a function misbehaves, tell the company. They'll either replace, repair it, trade it or refund your money. We like both companies.

Cameras are generally pretty tough; though some people have dropped them off elephants on safari and bounced it off a rock, then dusted it off, look at the dings and can keep on shooting; most of the time, but it pays to have a backup. One four-foot accidental drop to the floor can also leave your Nikon/Canon, etc in pieces, so more than one insurance claim can leave you without options if you're clumsy. A spare pre-owned or refurbished camera ordered from NY is faster (and cheaper) than jumping through insurance company hoops, much less sending a shattered camera off to the manufacturer for a rebuild that may take much more time than you'd like.

The bottom line, if you can afford the policy and it gives you peace mind, and you trust the company and are a careful person, the value is yours to perceive.

Good luck, sv.

Ron Dial Loc: Cuenca, Ecuador

suggest you contact PPA and inquire about their program.

brooklyn-camera I Loc: Brooklyn, NY

THEFT Coverage...State Farm Personal Articles Policy Features
Worldwide Coverage
Personal property coverage applies anywhere in the world. When you go on vacation, items such as jewelry and cameras are covered (fine art items are only covered within the United States and Canada).

Replacement Cost Coverage
We'll pay the cost to repair or replace your personal property, without deduction for depreciation. The personal articles policy insures against theft and accidental direct physical damage to covered property with some limitations and exclusions.

sv3noKin51E wrote:

Tomad, greetings. If you buy gear at B&H, they can sell you their special selection of SquareTrade protection; none of these policies cover theft, but if you accidentally total it while on safari, it falls in the pool, or a miscreant toddler mistakes it for a ball, as long as it's not intentional 'abuse' Square Trade has mostly gotten their act together, and currently offers the best after-market hazzard policy for camera gear. No company other than a rider on a home or business owner's policy will offer to cover a pre-owned camera for hazzards unless you have 100% content coverage, but SquareTrade from B&H will.

Adorama has a similar hazzard policy with an outfit called 'Leaf' who covers anything from cameras to air conditioners, sort of similar to SquareTrade. Depending on what the many consumer feedback sites report, Leaf isn't held in the same regard as SquareTrade. Insurance companies love to sell insurance, because they make obscene amounts of money from fearful customers, and they've it down to a combination of historical fact, and a cross between science and alchemy. They know all of the angles.

If you have complete 100% content coverage with your home-owner's policy, check with your agent to be sure, but contents usually means cameras unless they're in pro use, making a living. That's when you have to cough up the extra dough for a rider. All you can do is be careful and like any insurance, hope you never have to use it. If you do, once pays for all of the premiums. Theft always means law-enforcement reports, even though the police will tell you they'll never find the camera. Have photos of all of your gear including, original boxes, serial numbers, receipts, etc, to document that your gear is immaculate. If you don't have 100% content coverage, it's like a car; depreciation means you won't get much back from the insurance company. We always make sure our 100% contents covers every item in the house. If you can opt for a regional insurance company that doesn't cover homes in earthquake or hurricane zones, it can be much less expensive, even for an equipment rider. The key is not to fudge; if you're a pro, it'll cost more, and the truth prevails. Insurance companies know when you call, via the latest software, if there's a hint of deception in your voice. If one never lies, you never have to remember what you said, and the story comes out mostly the same way every time.

If your purchase is in the thousands, then you should consider how much risk and peace of mind you can afford. For instance, folks are so used to running over their iPhones in the driveway and dropping them off balconies, they automatically resort to invoking AppleCare+ instead of just using their common sense, or being careful. Last year, Apple tired of replacing all of those gadgets and broken screens. They hate the thought that their valued customers might actually cut into their bonus checks, so they hunkered down with their lawyers and insurance company minions to generate more mind-numbing clauses. Folks still think they can always have Apple replace their device for the cost plus deductible, only to find that if something bad does happen, at best AppleCare+ might send them them a used/remanufactured device that ain't the same as a new one. We learned the hard way when three out of of our four'remanufactured/recertified by Apple' gadgets went haywire within 9 months due to defective innards; we returned them without a single mote of dust or scratch; after 30 years working on puters and devices, we'd done everything possible, except open the device; Apple alone has their magic diagnosis machine. They grilled us for 3 minutes about possible liquid damage (no longer covered) but no liquid ever comes close to our devices.

With all gadgets including cameras, if you buy a a pre-owned model in good to excellent condition, it's by far more economical to just buy another 'pre-owned' or refurbished device in good operating condition, especially if it's your go-to favorite camera. A couple of dings don't affect the operation of a good 'used' camera that has been treated well and traded into NY by the prior owner; these companies comprehensively test trade-ins, and you have between 30-60 days after it arrives (next-day if you pay for it) to invoke your return privilege/RMA request; if you send it back in the same condition it arrived, if it didn't meet your expectations or if a function misbehaves, tell the company. They'll either replace, repair it, trade it or refund your money. We like both companies.

Cameras are generally pretty tough; though some people have dropped them off elephants on safari and bounced it off a rock, then dusted it off, look at the dings and can keep on shooting; most of the time, but it pays to have a backup. One four-foot accidental drop to the floor can also leave your Nikon/Canon, etc in pieces, so more than one insurance claim can leave you without options if you're clumsy. A spare pre-owned or refurbished camera ordered from NY is faster (and cheaper) than jumping through insurance company hoops, much less sending a shattered camera off to the manufacturer for a rebuild that may take much more time than you'd like.

The bottom line, if you can afford the policy and it gives you peace mind, and you trust the company and are a careful person, the value is yours to perceive.

Good luck, sv.

Tomad, greetings. If you buy gear at B&H, they... (show quote)

tomad Loc: North Carolina

Thank you all for the further replies.

Ron, I'm not a pro, just a hobbyist. Could I still use PPA programs?