from SB

Hello everyone. Happy Monday. A quick question. Who is your equipment insurance company? I'd like my equipment covered in my studio and while I'm on locations. Theft and accidental damages. Thank you for your help!!

cwp3420

I use my Home and auto insurance company, State Farm. I have a rider policy that covers my cameras, tripods, monopods, lenses, etc. For $7,000 coverage I pay about $10.50 a month.

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

Beware of non-scheduled rider policies on home insurance. All you need to do is make a couple of claims before you find yourself and your home and property uninsurable. The low cost plans are worthless. They require a receipt in order to make a claim, and they will depreciate the value. After some ridiculously short period of time 5 yrs or less, they will give you next to nothing when you claim a loss.

That being said, I joined NANPA (North American Nature Photographers Association) and used their insurance, offered by Rand Insurance and underwritten by CHUBB. You provide a schedule with serial numbers and replacement costs, and they will pay out whatever you've listed. Good insurance, reasonable in cost for what they cover, and if you make a claim you don't have to worry about being blacklisted by a homeowner's insurance company.

Trust me, I speak from experience on both types of insurance. I was rear-ended in my car while waiting for a traffic light to turn green, and there was a fire, lost nearly $12K in gear (see below), and it was covered 100% less the $250 deductible. They paid me within a few days of my claim, and then they fought it out with the other drivers' insurance policies.

You can get a similar policy as a member of PPA (Professional Photographers of America), but the cost of membership is high, making the cost of insurance that much higher. They offer two plans, one that is similar to the non-scheduled, depreciated plans that most homeowner policies offer, and one that is scheduled, and you get replacement cost, not a fraction of purchase price, when you experience a loss. Naturally, the better policy costs more, but all you need to do is use it once after dropping a camera and lens or having it stolen, and you will be glad you had it. Don't be seduced by the low cost of the homeowner's rider policies - this is a perfect example of that old saying "you get what you pay for" and my spin "you never get what you don't pay for". Happy hunting!

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Zeke4351 Loc: Kentucky

I have all my equipment insured on my homeowners policy and have had claims paid with no adverse effect. I have been with the same company for 54 years and had many various claims on house, boat, cars. They cover my cell phones and I pad also. There are some really bad insurance companies that don’t want to pay anything anytime. Some are big names. Also, your insurance is only as good as your agent and cheaper is (usually) never better. You never know how good your insurance is as long as you don’t need to use it. Facts of life.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

My D3 disappeared from my truck back around '12. My farm and home insurance covered it and the lens, but depreciated the value for the 4 years I had owned it. I replaced it with a D4.

It was the only claim I ever made on my insurance. Fortunately my life has been uneventful.

Mikal Loc: Brownsville, Texas

I also use a rider from State Farm. State Farm paid me more than $45,000 when my collection was stolen. No deductible and losses were covered at replacement new basis. I still have the same policy.

stogieboy Loc: Marlboro, NY

Like many of the folks who posted before me, my equipment is attached to my homeowners policy with State Farm. I found that it was very reasonable to insure everything in my kit, and it is a nominal increase to what I pay for the rest of my belongings, this one is just specific to my camera equipment.

canonclicker

With a little humor I say you should keep your camera equipt for now you can use them for 'Trail Cams'! The new colors now match perfectly!!!!

whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

I also have a personal property policy with State Farm. Had a claim on a camera that was dropped. They paid replacement cost with no deductible.

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

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

To all that provided anecdotes in support of home insurance riders - the operative thoughts in my post were "Beware of non-scheduled rider policies on home insurance." Those are the low cost ones with higher deductibles and depreciated reimbursement. When you provide a schedule of gear and insure for replacement costs, it's usually better. But still, I had two claims in one year with a scheduled rider that were paid promptly without question. But at renewal time the cost went up and upon attempting to switch my homeowner's insurance coverage to a different company, I had trouble getting any kind of insurance from anyone.

Just a cautionary tale - to be considered.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

You want HIGH RICK COVERAGE, you should be able to get it from a variety of insurance companies. I have mine through All State.
It not only covers theft and accidental damages but covers me for liability in case my equipment causes damage or injury to someone.
And yes, it is more expensive, but for me and my equipment it is piece of mind.
And make sure you check insurance coverage, mine is 100% replacement. Not all insurance companies cover 100% replacement incase of theft or damage.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

PaulBrit Loc: Merlin, Southern Oregon

I have spent the last fifteen minutes reviewing the NANPA website. It seems like a good organization especially for people who are nature photographers as I am, albeit still new at the craft.

Gspeed Loc: Rhinebeck, NY

I have a SCHEDULED rider with New York Central Mutual homeowners. Lists my camera equipment, MacBook Pro laptop + jewelry. Cost is $44 annually for $3,360 in camera equipment with no deductible. Covers loss, theft, damage, misplacement and mysterious disappearance. Love NYCM. Reimbursed for whatever value is listed on the schedule. Worth it.

Gspeed Loc: Rhinebeck, NY

I have a SCHEDULED rider with New York Central Mutual homeowners. Lists my camera equipment, MacBook Pro laptop + jewelry. Cost is $44 annually for $3,360 in camera equipment with no deductible. Covers loss, theft, damage, misplacement and mysterious disappearance. Love NYCM. Reimbursed for whatever value is listed on the schedule. Worth it.