supercub

Is there a way to insure my camera equipment so I can put into my luggage instead of carrying it with me as a carry on?
We travel with our dog and I carry my valuables in a carry on bag so i usually have my hands full. My camera gear takes up to much space but I am afraid it will not make it in my luggage. so a lot of times I leave my Nikon D7200 and just take use my iphone. Any suggestions?

Pepsiman Loc: New York City

Get a bridge camera...

ken_stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca

At all times --- My camera "stuff" stays with me -- Either @ my feet or in the overhead

Like the bridge camera idea!

JimRPhoto Loc: Raleigh NC

I had the same type of problem being a long time Canon person. I bought a used Olympus PEN-F, but any Olympus camera would do. Currently, two Olympus bodies plus three lenses all fit into a relatively small over the shoulder, very flat, bag, the size of a laptop computer bag. It has served me well for my most recent extended trips flying by air. Just for you to consider. JimR

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

I have a D7200 (and some lenses), but I don't have a dog. The point I'm trying to make is that I know relatively well what the bulk/weight of a typical kit would be, and I'd figure if your dog was half-way sizeable, you could make up a 'puppy pack' for it to wear while you're travelling, the result of which would be to both unburden you (and your luggage) while simultaneously giving him/her the opportunity to pay his/her way accordingly. The insurability of a sherpa setup like that would be, however, somewhat out of my wheelhouse, since I have only cats (that I don't travel with, and which if I did the mayhem would be truly disastrous!) but not a dog.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Take a careful inventory of your favorite travel photos. Then get a a small travel camera that will cover that range. With the technology now in cameras, lugging around a bag of gear is a bad habit left over from our film days.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

To answer your question, check with your homeowners insurance company to see if they offer coverage. Many do. I have a good Pelican case and have shipped my gear several times. I bought my gear to use!

If they do not, there are companies that do offer coverage and in the past several members have mentioned specific companies.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

I saw a TV ad a little while ago about shipping luggage instead checking it in on the flight. I don’t remember the name of the company, but you could do an internet search and come up with a way to ship your camera gear to your hotel or the address where you would be staying. I would never pack my camera gear in my luggage.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Just buy or rent an OM-1, 7-14 F2.8 Pro lens, 12-100 f4 Pro IS lens, and 72mm CPL. It should all fit in a 6" X 11" X 12" camera bag, cover 14mm to 200mm angle of view (35mm terms), weight under 8 pounds, and register as a personal item (not carry-on; smaller and lighter than carry-on restrictions). Minimum 6.5 stops of IS, so forget the tripod.

PoppieJ Loc: North Georgia

like the pelican case answer. I too have a pelican case and it is quite rugged and very well padded

jcboy3

If you have a Nikon D7200, then I wouldn't bother with insurance. Between deductibles and depreciation, the insurance company pockets a lot of money and you lose. If you do get insurance, you will need receipts for the camera and other equipment. If you use your homeowners policy, you don't get good coverage and you risk policy cancellation over a claim.

You can get insurance through professional organizations such as PPA, but they have pretty steep depreciation schedules and deductibles (and your D7200 is going to fall of a cliff). These policies are worthwhile if you have recently purchased and valuable gear. Think 600mm f4 type gear.

Put your gear in a hard case, put a TSA lock on it, and go. Because if you can afford replacement insurance, you can afford to skip it.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Not all insurance companies are created equally! My homeowners, AMICA, has zero deductible and on two occasions has either paid for repair or issued a replacement value check within 2 days of receiving my estimate from Nikon. My premium is quite reasonable, about $100/year for coverage on about $18,000 in equipment. They do require a copy of the bill of sale.

Again, I did not buy equipment to leave it at home when taking a trip.

AGO

Keep the camera equipment with you and put the dog in the luggage.

david vt Loc: Vermont

If you want to ensure, do so, but I think on a D7200 (which is my main piece), I would not bother. Unlike the other poster who travels with $18000 worth of equipment, my total, including all 3 of my lenses, could not total over $4K. In fact, if something did happen, it might well push me to mirrorless….

My solution is my Sony RX100 vii. Great travel camera (as was just covered in two threads). I desire a camera for snapshots of my travel vacations, not works of art, and the Sony is no slouch up to medium size prints I want to enjoy the place and family, not lug around equipment. If I was going on a specific photography centric trip, my answer would be different (probably all the way to renting better equipment, WITH its insurance.).

Only you can decide the balance of the purpose of your trip, and if the trade-offs are worth it. Shipping is not a bad idea. How often do many of buy online and have equipment shipped with no damage? You could ship to your destination, and include a shipping label to be able to send it back. Keep the SD cards on the way home. Your images are worth more than the equipment.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

In no way did I indicate that I travel with $18,000 worth of equipment, but rather was giving a rough idea of what the policy cost. My collection allows me to choose equipment appropriate for my proposed venue. Had I said it was reasonably priced, some would argue what’s reasonable for one may not be reasonable to another…can’t win! LOL!

Btw, I do not “lug” equipment on trips any more than I do at home. Having the proper case is quite useful.