Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

I cover all my equipment through homeowners insurance. It's a good idea to photograph your equipment with your cell. Keep the serial number in a list and print it out. Keep it in the top dresser drawer.
If you rent, make sure you have renters insurance.

SonyBug

Zero hassle on two different claims. I recommend State Farm highly. they even cover my guns.

khorinek

I also have State Farm. it's affordable. I provide serial numbers on all equipment I insure all my equipment including my laptops.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

I also have a State Farm personal articles policy. Yes, you have to identify each item, purchase price, and replacement cost. Ideally, SF wants you be able to produce proof of purchase. I have had one claim for a camera that was involved in a freak accident. I got an estimate from Canon, called SF, and the claim/payoff was quick and easy. They even reimbursed me for shipment to Canon’s repair facility. Recommended.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

I have a rider with State Farm. It was used once and covered the repair of my camera (Canon 7D) and a lens (Tamron 28-300) when In fell with them in my hand. It was no problem and I gave the agent my receipts and he wrote me a check on the spot. It was below a certain amount that he could.

brooklyn-camera I Loc: Brooklyn, NY

I pay $250 a year for $18,000 worth of coverage. I have used it twice and the policy has paid for itself already. $1300 for a Sigma 70-200mm and $480 for a Tamron lens which is discontinued and didn't cost that much when I purchased it in the first place. You need the serial numbers on your gear, plus bill of sales. If purchased on the net from a location like B&H or Adorama you can get copies of the bill of sales online.


https://www.statefarm.com/insurance/home-and-property/personal-articles-policy

jwn Loc: SOUTHEAST GEORGIA USA

it covered under the basic policy as personal property subject to the policy deductible. As long as you are not in business. make sure you have replacement cost coverage on personal property. If you agent tells you otherwise ask them to show you in the policy the limitation. If you are a "belt and suspenders" type and do schedule make sure it's for replacement cost and no stated amount or actual cash value. The business limitation will be disclosed in the policy as to what is a business. ask about any claim fee discounts you would loose and for how many years. When you add up the premium, deductible and claim free discount you may decide it's not worth it.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Gene,
I don't mean to step on the good advice that you have shared above, however, there is a thing called the C.L.U.E. Report that a lot of insurance companies use to "share" your claim history with each other and use to set their rates for individuals. It is quite interesting reading below from Clark Howard. The following is about roadside assistance however it loosely applies to all types of insurance/riders, etc.:

Start Clark Howard Quote:
"The hidden dark side of roadside assistance
Auto insurers are great about offering add-ons to your policy that seem in theory like great conveniences at a great price. But using these seemingly benign “benefits” could marginalize you in the insurance marketplace and result in jacked-up rates!
Some auto insurers that offer roadside assistance treat your use of it as an at-fault claim and put that through on your C.L.U.E. report — even though you only needed a tow or the fix or a flat tire!
“It’s the Wild West with no rules on what insurers can decide to report on your C.L.U.E. report,” money expert Clark Howard says. “And you have no right of appeal either.”
So here’s the # 1 rule about roadside assistance: Never get it from your own insurer. Get it from AAA or elsewhere." End Clark Howard Quote

https://www.insurance.wa.gov/clue-comprehensive-loss-underwriting-exchange

Thanks,
JimmyT Sends

DK Loc: SD

With my insurance, listing the equipment individually allowed me to collect the cost of the lens that I had come up missing. They said if I had not listed the equipment individually, I would not have been able to collect full coverage on the lens. It is with my homeowners, but my camera gear and computers are listed individually. When I buy something, I make a copy of the invoice with serial number etc and submit it to the insurance company and they will charge accordingly for the addition. I was very pleased with the experience of my first loss. The only thing they requested was that if the lens was ever found, they would like to have it. I was surprised they covered it. They called it a "Mysterious Disappearance." I hesitated for a while to even call the insurance company, but they were very helpful and agreeable. Long story on how or where it disappeared, so will spare readers the agony of that.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I have business insurance that covers, along with other things, my camera gear and my vehicle. Best of luck.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

I insure my stuff through homeowners insurance. Photo everything with your cell
Type up a list of item, serial number and replacement value. Print out this list. Put it in the top dresser drawer.
If you rent, use renter's insurance
All for piece of mind!

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Be carful of the policy as some have deductible and some cover only loss not repair etc. I use State Farm with a separate pay and a list of equipment covered. Also the value of each listed. And it works fine for me.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Insurance structure and provisions vary a great deal on a state by state basis. In Texas, for instance, "mysterious disappearance" is included in Renter's Insurance, but not in Homeowner's Insurance. And there are specific and quite low limitations on general coverage on computer, photography, and other specialized equipment that is not itemized and paid for. There are also significant limitations around off-site losses.

I've had discussions with my agent several times around coverage over the years. One big problem around tying to other coverages is that a loss and claim will affect the risk rating for the entire policy, not just the camera equipment portion. Cancellation is generally not a serious risk for a single claim (unless it raises suspicions in the mind of the carrier), but multiple claims can quickly lead to cancelation of the entire policy.

Insuring equipment against loss in the course of business is an option, but I found that it pushed premiums out of the reasonable range.

Bottom line...insurance may be exactly what you need. But read carefully and make sure that you understand what you are buying and exactly what the implications of filing a claim will be.

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

I have Farmer's Insurance. Was B&E'd and lost significant Nikon FF gear. All were covered, no serial numbers or pre-registration required. I had $$$ in hand within a week.

Cheers!

tcthome Loc: NJ

Ditto, State Farm. Gives me piece of mind. Doesn't matter where or what, its covered.