junglejim1949 Loc: Sacramento,CA

We are planning a trip to Maui and will be renting a condo. I will be taking photo equip and want to know about UGHH recommendations.
Thanks,
Jim

SafetySam Loc: Colorado

State Farm has a "Personal Article" policy that can cover all your camera equipment really inexpensively . . I have a complete Nikon D7200 w/6 lens & a Nikon D810 with the 14 - 400mm series lenses (6) and it only costs $106 per year with a "no questions asked" full covered payment for claims . . (coverage is approx $11,500 in equipment)

This is "the way" to get full 24x7 coverage for your camera gear! Covers everything!

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

Jim, Insurance is always good but for one specific trip/period, you may get better responses if you provide some idea of what you are taking and the length of time you will be there. It could affect insurance needs.

sabfish

Almost all homeowner's policy have the option for a rider on photo equipment. These are typically no-fault, no deductible add-on's. I have had one for years. They even covered cameras in an underwater case that leaked; no questions asked. If you are travelling, I think they are a great idea.

repleo Loc: Boston

I am in the process of insuring my gear. Its a case of shutting the stable door after the horse is gone in my case, but I am still too upset to talk about that.
State Farm is not offering new policies in MA at the moment. I am having it scheduled on my homeowners insurance but I have to submit a schedule of descriptions, serial numbers, receipts and pictures of the gear. Time consuming process. Cost is $1.14 / $100 value. Not even sure what that will cover or if there is a deductible.
I found this agent on Google for photo gear.
https://www.prophotographersinsurance.com/photography-insurance6-2/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqdKAx5ff4gIVyMDACh0MRghTEAMYASAAEgIf5fD_BwE

I don't know anything about them, but I was going to ask if any Hoggers had experience with them. Coverage for equipment only is about $1.60 / $100

junglejim1949 Loc: Sacramento,CA

I will be taking 80D, 50mm, 24-70, 70-200 and my tripod. Will be gone two weeks

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

This has been mentioned previously on the UHH forum for providing the best coverage for minimal cost.
I use them myself to cover cameras and other high-end property and have been pleased with the service. /Ralph

sabfish

If you currently have homeowner's insurance, it will probably be cheaper to get a rider on your existing policy, rather than a separate policy. Your comment about MA is not clear. Do you currently have State Farm? If you do, they probably would not consider this a "new policy" but an amendment of your existing policy. I am sure that their refusal to issue new MA policies does not include a refusal to amend existing policies. If you have a different carrier, call them and ask about the cost of a rider for your photo equipment.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Insurance works differently in each, so you have to understand the rules in your state. I know that in Texas, if you insure your equipment with a rider on your Homeowners Policy, a claim will be considered as a claim against the homeowners policy and will therefore impact the rates that you are charged on the entire policy. A Personal Articles Policy is a separate policy, and while a claim against it can certainly be considered as part of your rate calculation, it would not necessarily automatically trigger an increase in the rate you are charged for your homeowners coverage. So make sure that you understand fully and choose wisely.

sabfish

A valid point. Certainly a claim against a homeowner's policy can result in a change of rates. I have never made a major claim for my photo equipment but just a couple of minor claims (a few hundred $ at most) over many years. Those claims did not effect my rates. Presumably, large or repeated claims against a stand-alone policy could also result in an increase in rates or cancellation of the policy.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

A homeowner's policy is always an option, but if you make a claim, they can and will find a reason to drop you. Just putting that out there - I learned this the hard way.

Better proposition is to join NANPA (North American Nature Photography Association) offers appropriate insurance programs that are tailored to the needs of a traveling photographer.

http://www.nanpa.org/membership/insurance/

This is much better than the cheaper alternative of extending your homeowner's plan. Especially if you have a claim. The last thing you want is a black mark imposed by a company like Allstate or Nationwide on your behalf, making it very difficult/expensive to get insured from any company. Make sure you insure for replacement value (a scheduled list) vs the standard policy that will depreciate your reimbursement on loss based on years of ownership and/or market value. If you bought a D800 and paid $3300 for it and it was stolen today, a scheduled replacement value policy will give you $3300 allowing you to replace it with a current D850. The other policy may only give you a sum, minus the deductible - which may not be worth making a claim for.

repleo Loc: Boston

I share your concern with extending H/O policy. I took a quick look at the NANPA insurance. Rate is nearly double what we are seeing for H/O rider and minimum premium is $350. 'All Risk' excludes 'mysterious disappearance' which I presume could include theft or pick pockets. Do other policies have this limitation?

sabfish

In terms of whether or not your insurance company provides the depreciated or original value of your equipment, I suggest that people discuss that with their insurance agent. The policies I am familiar with, including my own, provide replacement value, not depreciated value. Different policies and different companies in different states may provide different coverage. Insurance is a contract; the terms of the contract control. Don't rely on overly broad statements of what all homeowners' policies provide.

junglejim1949 Loc: Sacramento,CA

Good point

traderjohn Loc: New York City

Call your homeowners/car insurance company.