Camera Insurance (Page 2): That may have been your experience or that of people you know, but I never had a problem with State Farm, neither with damaging my car nor damage to my...

berchman Loc: South Central PA

chfrus wrote:

This looks like a planted advertisement for state Farm not a very good insurance company. Try and file a claim and see how they try to give you as little as possible. State Farm and Farmers are two of the worst insurance companies around.

That may have been your experience or that of people you know, but I never had a problem with State Farm, neither with damaging my car nor damage to my camera. Perhaps it depends on who your agent is.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

My State Farm rider covers my. Only had to use it once in all the years and it was a camera, lens and new lens hood. Took the bills to the State Farm office and they cut me a check on the spot. It was a Canon 5DII and Tamron lens and hood. Bills were from Canon, Tamron and B&H. Tamron told me the hood is cheeper thru B&H. State Farm agent thanked me for saving them money.

rck281 Loc: Overland Park, KS

AzPicLady wrote:

Be careful about depending on your home owner's policy. If you have EVER made one cent from your equipment, they will deny paying even for the stuff on a separate rider. I fought mine for two years (with lawyers). They did finally pay, but it was horrid. The fight with them felt more intrusive than the burglary!!!!! They investigated all of my friends and associates also.

What company?

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

chfrus wrote:

This looks like a planted advertisement for state Farm not a very good insurance company. Try and file a claim and see how they try to give you as little as possible. State Farm and Farmers are two of the worst insurance companies around.

Couldn’t disagree more! I’ve had a “Personal articles” policy with State Farm for my camera equipment going on five years now. I’ve had one claim that was handled seamlessly with payment based on a verbal estimate from Canon. Premium is reasonable and they’ve always been responsive with my many changes throughout the years. There’s a reason why many UHH members use State Farm. I can’t speak for Farmers.

ronpier Loc: Poland Ohio

NCMtnMan wrote:

If you're a "pro", then homeowners insurance won't cover it and you have to get a business policy for that. Otherwise, your homeowners or renters insurance agent can tell you how they cover it and handle claims. I'm with Allstate and it's an inexpensive rider on my policy that covers theft, loss and accidental damage.

That’s true. I sell for Allstate. It’s an open peril replacement policy up to policy limits. $0 deductible. Very inexpensive. You can even purchase a rider for 1st claim forgiveness. I insure my gear this way. Same as my wife’s jewelry.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

rck281 wrote:

What company?

Sorry. I'm under a permanent gag order and cannot say.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

chfrus wrote:

This looks like a planted advertisement for state Farm not a very good insurance company. Try and file a claim and see how they try to give you as little as possible. State Farm and Farmers are two of the worst insurance companies around.

BS I had State Farm for many years never a problem.

brooklyn-camera I Loc: Brooklyn, NY

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

I just paid the premium for one year $306 for $17,500 coverage. Went up $10.00 from last year. Had to use it twice and it has paid for itself already. It has paid for itself for around five more years. Just need a bill of sale and serial numbers for the equipment you wish to insure.

Once I was blindsided when shoot a football game. 70-200mm f/2.8 broke in half, second I was in DC by the Viet Nam wall and stepped off the curb and went don't like a ton of bricks, another broken lens. Both times insurance covered the expense to purchase replacements.

Peteso Loc: Blacks Hills

“Value” and replacement cost are VERY different. I had State Farm coverage on my camera equipment, but when I focused on this issue, the coverage costs relative to “values“ did not make sense, so I canceled my coverage. If you can find replacement cost coverage, it’s still a cost benefit analysis. This sort of coverage requires attention to detail. It’s a math problem, not a word problem.

gtheodore Loc: Fort Collins CO

AzPicLady wrote:

Be careful about depending on your home owner's policy. If you have EVER made one cent from your equipment, they will deny paying even for the stuff on a separate rider. I fought mine for two years (with lawyers). They did finally pay, but it was horrid. The fight with them felt more intrusive than the burglary!!!!! They investigated all of my friends and associates also.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

For anyone regularly earning an income from their Photography, commercial business insurance is the best option. Best of luck.

legion3 Loc: Deer Park Long Island

AzPicLady wrote:

Be careful about depending on your home owner's policy. If you have EVER made one cent from your equipment, they will deny paying even for the stuff on a separate rider. I fought mine for two years (with lawyers). They did finally pay, but it was horrid. The fight with them felt more intrusive than the burglary!!!!! They investigated all of my friends and associates also.

great point

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

Mjump54 wrote:

Question for the “pro” photographers.
What insurance do you obtain that covers your equipment and liability?
In my research I have found that some home insurance carries limits on gear, but may have a cap on value unless you add a rider but would not cover liability on a shoot.
Looking for advice on who and what you are doing.
Thanks

This is pretty simple. Check your house and umbrella insurance. If it is not enough to cover your loss, what ever that might be, increase it.

Cheers!

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Mjump54 wrote:

Question for the “pro” photographers.
What insurance do you obtain that covers your equipment and liability?
In my research I have found that some home insurance carries limits on gear, but may have a cap on value unless you add a rider but would not cover liability on a shoot.
Looking for advice on who and what you are doing.
Thanks

These questions arise here periodically. The responses are always very confusing, because insurance coverages and policies vary greatly from state to state. I am unaware of any homeowner's policy in any state that will cover any equipment in any discipline that is used professionally. The most accurate answer always seems to boil down to finding a policy available through a professional association. Keep in mind that in most states, any loss under a policy associated with a homeowner's policy will (or at least can) affect premiums for that policy and in some cases can result in cancellation of the entire policy. There are exceptions and limitations, however, so it is best to work through professional agents who know the real answers to your questions for your state. I am not one of those people, but they are not hard to find.

gtheodore Loc: Fort Collins CO

If you have a website, if you sell one photo, if you post almost anywhere on line, State Farm may not say you’re a pro but they’ll say you “go around” with your gear. I’m a member of PPA. With membership you can get a policy that I think covers up to $15000 - for free. The deductibles are in three stages to cover three separate damages per Year
They also have a reasonably priced liability policy but I don’t know if an excess line with your auto/homeowners will cover you for personal liability. Best bet is to stick with PPA. Hope this helps