Purchasing Camera Insurance for Upcoming Trip: In the fall I will be travelling to Italy. I'll be spending a couple of days in Naples. Based on all that I read, Naples is not a safe...

TomFama

In the fall I will be travelling to Italy. I'll be spending a couple of days in Naples. Based on all that I read, Naples is not a safe place to carry a camera bag. Has anyone experience with purchasing insurance covering an all-perils claim with zero-deduction for 1 month (or one trip)? My homeowners insurance (Progressive) does not offer zero deduction claims. Total value of camera equipment is approximately $2500. Thanks in advance for any helpful advice. Tom Fama

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Getting insurance for a limited time would be ideal. A quick search didn't get me anything, though.

This one might be good - https://www.fullframeinsurance.com/travel-photography-insurance

https://www.fullframeinsurance.com/camera-equipment-insurance
https://shotkit.com/camera-insurance/
https://www.gocompare.com/gadget-insurance/camera-insurance/

And some more -
http://www.lightstalking.com/camera-insurance/
https://www.lemonade.com/blog/camera-insurance/
https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/the-best-camera-insurance-for-photographers

DougS Loc: Central Arkansas

State Farm (home owners) has 'Replacement' insurance for my gear. Check your policy/agent again.

toxdoc42

is your equipment listed on a valuable item, or a personal property floater? I have never heard of any company not covering theft, or even "mysterious disappearance," coverage under that. My coverage, USAA, even covers stupidity, as in dropping the camera, etc. It is really very cheap coverage as well.

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

TomFama wrote:

In the fall I will be travelling to Italy. I'll be spending a couple of days in Naples. Based on all that I read, Naples is not a safe place to carry a camera bag. Has anyone experience with purchasing insurance covering an all-perils claim with zero-deduction for 1 month (or one trip)? My homeowners insurance (Progressive) does not offer zero deduction claims. Total value of camera equipment is approximately $2500. Thanks in advance for any helpful advice. Tom Fama

I’ve never seen a listing of cities most likely to have your camera gear stolen and I think if certain cities were more likely to have that happen someone somewhere would have made a list.

gwilliams6

DougS wrote:

State Farm (home owners) has 'Replacement' insurance for my gear. Check your policy/agent again.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Interesting articles -

https://www.google.com/search?q=naples+and+camra+theft&oq=naples+and+camra+theft&aqs=edge..69i57j0i30i546j0i546j0i30i546j0i546.6246j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

This one is funny - https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/naples-thieves-return-watch/index.html

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

TomFama wrote:

In the fall I will be travelling to Italy. I'll be spending a couple of days in Naples. Based on all that I read, Naples is not a safe place to carry a camera bag. Has anyone experience with purchasing insurance covering an all-perils claim with zero-deduction for 1 month (or one trip)? My homeowners insurance (Progressive) does not offer zero deduction claims. Total value of camera equipment is approximately $2500. Thanks in advance for any helpful advice. Tom Fama

Most insurance companies offer a RIDER to your homeowners policy or a separate specific policy. Mine is with Allstate.
I worked it through with my agent. It lists all of my equipment, serial numbers and date of purchase, I have the receipts, which I make copies of and the insurance company has a copy as proof of purchase. However, if a piece is stolen, I get the replacement cost. Say I bought a camera in 2018 for $2,000.00, that camera is stolen and the replacement cost is now $2400.00, Allstate will give me $2400.00 to buy a new one.
So, it is a rider or separate policy that only insures my photography equipment.
Trust me, they are very concerned about my Sony 600 f4 lens. But they will now replace it if it is stolen.

Morry Loc: Palm Springs, CA

TomFama wrote:

In the fall I will be travelling to Italy. I'll be spending a couple of days in Naples. Based on all that I read, Naples is not a safe place to carry a camera bag. Has anyone experience with purchasing insurance covering an all-perils claim with zero-deduction for 1 month (or one trip)? My homeowners insurance (Progressive) does not offer zero deduction claims. Total value of camera equipment is approximately $2500. Thanks in advance for any helpful advice. Tom Fama

For those that are in the position of belonging to Professional Photographers of America I don't think you can do better than the optional insurance that they offer. Their equipment coverage is complete and effective . . . and they add the benefit of legal representation if needed.

JCM

I was in insurance and risk management for 54 years. Progressive policies have too many "weasel" words. One can insure camera equipment (and other property) specifically on endorsements to homeowner policies. This is the method to insure Jewelry, Silverware, Furs, etc. I traveled and played competitive golf for many years. My clubs were insured in this manner. Find an independent insurance agent that knows how to do this and insure with them. Manage the risk by taking precautions in how you handle your equipment.

sabfish

toxdoc42 wrote:

is your equipment listed on a valuable item, or a personal property floater? I have never heard of any company not covering theft, or even "mysterious disappearance," coverage under that. My coverage, USAA, even covers stupidity, as in dropping the camera, etc. It is really very cheap coverage as well.

Same is true for my Amica policy.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Insurance is important but would also important to buy camera and camera bag straps with steel cable wires in them. One way they take your equipment is cut your strap with a sharp knife and grab and run. They also have one person cut and the other grabs. This can be fixed by, I went to B&H bought camera and bag straps with the steel cable for about twenty five bucks each.

TomFama

Picture Taker wrote:

Insurance is important but would also important to buy camera and camera bag straps with steel cable wires in them. One way they take your equipment is cut your strap with a sharp knife and grab and run. They also have one person cut and the other grabs. This can be fixed by, I went to B&H bought camera and bag straps with the steel cable for about twenty five bucks each.

The serious issue with cables in straps is that a thief does not know the cable is in the strap. The last thing I would want is to grapple with a thief wielding a knife as the cable holds. Better to let the equipment go than chancing loosing something more valuable (you life).

Here is an excerpt from a blog I wrote when I was manufacturing BosStrap Camera straps:

Embedded Wire in Camera Straps

I am often asked if BosStraps have an embedded wire in the body strap. The short answer is NO and we never will.

Some sling strap manufacturers claim that the embedded wire in their strap will help protect your equipment from a cut-and-run thief. Some have even offered cash compensation if you lose your equipment to a thief.

The problem with embedded wires is that a thief does not know there is a wire in your strap until his knife blade hits the uncuttable wire. At this point, you become aware that someone is attempting to steal your camera, and that someone is at your back with a knife. This is not a situation with a pleasant outcome...

guitarpicker1151 Loc: Lower Left Side of OHIO

You might consider buying a cheaper camera.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Can't live in fear all your life.