Insurance
Apr 8, 2023 21:05:26 #
Does anyone have experience or suggestions for insurance in the U.S. that would cover replacement or repair of gear that is accidentally damaged or stolen while shooting or traveling for a hobbyist photographer?
A camera bag could have $10k in gear and as I add pieces and upgrade to better gear, the though of loss through a drop or theft becomes more of a concern and risk.
TIA
A camera bag could have $10k in gear and as I add pieces and upgrade to better gear, the though of loss through a drop or theft becomes more of a concern and risk.
TIA
Apr 8, 2023 21:32:52 #
Apr 8, 2023 22:30:46 #
tramsey wrote:
Check with your household insurance policy or agent
Do you have coverage like that through your homeowners policy?
Apr 9, 2023 07:42:46 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Bruce716 wrote:
Does anyone have experience or suggestions for insurance in the U.S. that would cover replacement or repair of gear that is accidentally damaged or stolen while shooting or traveling for a hobbyist photographer?
A camera bag could have $10k in gear and as I add pieces and upgrade to better gear, the though of loss through a drop or theft becomes more of a concern and risk.
TIA
A camera bag could have $10k in gear and as I add pieces and upgrade to better gear, the though of loss through a drop or theft becomes more of a concern and risk.
TIA
I have a separate policy from my insurance company that ONLY covers my photography equipment. It will be fully replaced if lost or stolen. They have copies of my sales receipts plus a yearly update of all equipment by item, serial number, and current replacement costs.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
Apr 9, 2023 07:47:40 #
I have a personal articles rider with State Farm home owners policy. No deductable full replacement cost. Just used it for a $350 repair.
Apr 9, 2023 08:40:52 #
Don't use homeowners insurance to insure your gear.
In some areas (coastal) companies are dropping homeowners customers for any excuse. In the Gulf states home insurance is hard to get, very expensive, and is easily lost. The only sure way to hang onto your homeowners policy is to never make a claim. You make a couple of petty claims and it will get noticed. Many have lost their insurance in this way. No, it's not just, but it's real.
In some areas (coastal) companies are dropping homeowners customers for any excuse. In the Gulf states home insurance is hard to get, very expensive, and is easily lost. The only sure way to hang onto your homeowners policy is to never make a claim. You make a couple of petty claims and it will get noticed. Many have lost their insurance in this way. No, it's not just, but it's real.
Apr 9, 2023 08:43:12 #
I too have persanal artical rider. insurance thru State Farm. Full replacement no deductible. Only had to use it once to replace a lens that I dropped.
Apr 9, 2023 09:54:51 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
Your homeowner's company may offer a personal property policy. I have that with State Farm. Very reasonable cost for amateurs.
Apr 9, 2023 10:13:02 #
Bruce716 wrote:
Does anyone have experience or suggestions for insurance in the U.S. that would cover replacement or repair of gear that is accidentally damaged or stolen while shooting or traveling for a hobbyist photographer?
A camera bag could have $10k in gear and as I add pieces and upgrade to better gear, the though of loss through a drop or theft becomes more of a concern and risk.
TIA
A camera bag could have $10k in gear and as I add pieces and upgrade to better gear, the though of loss through a drop or theft becomes more of a concern and risk.
TIA
I have my photo gear covered by a Personal Effects Floater Policy added to my homeowners policy. My insurance company is USAA. If I generate one dollar of revenue from the photo equipment the policy is voided. Each insurance company may have a similar requirement to make sure your equipment is not being used for commercial/professional purposes.
Apr 9, 2023 10:36:32 #
Bruce716 wrote:
Does anyone have experience or suggestions for insurance in the U.S. that would cover replacement or repair of gear that is accidentally damaged or stolen while shooting or traveling for a hobbyist photographer?
A camera bag could have $10k in gear and as I add pieces and upgrade to better gear, the though of loss through a drop or theft becomes more of a concern and risk.
TIA
A camera bag could have $10k in gear and as I add pieces and upgrade to better gear, the though of loss through a drop or theft becomes more of a concern and risk.
TIA
I use Farmers with a specific add on for camera equipment. Very reasonable cost.
Apr 9, 2023 15:56:03 #
Just make sure you get a coverage for full replacement value, not depreciated value. Find out if you need receipts with a claim.
Apr 9, 2023 21:55:04 #
Thank you all for the great tips and advice. I've messaged my agent and we'll go from there. I'll report back with an update in case others have the same questions.
May 2, 2023 20:36:49 #
Ok...it's done.
I ended up getting coverage through Allstate, who has my home and auto policies. The coverage is replacement for theft or accidental damage including liquid damage with a zero deductible. Coverage for $8,300 in gear was $154 per year.
They initially recommended that I exclude the grip, batteries, tripod and head because they each are lower cost as compared to the body and lenses and excluding them would save me around $20. I explained that if someone steals the camera, they're also getting the grip and batteries and if I'm out shooting, they'll possible get the tripod and head too. While they're individually $80-$300, in total it would be a painful loss and worth $20 in my opinion.
Hope I never need it but it's comforting to know I'm covered if I ever run into a thief or have an accident that renders an expensive piece of gear useless.
I ended up getting coverage through Allstate, who has my home and auto policies. The coverage is replacement for theft or accidental damage including liquid damage with a zero deductible. Coverage for $8,300 in gear was $154 per year.
They initially recommended that I exclude the grip, batteries, tripod and head because they each are lower cost as compared to the body and lenses and excluding them would save me around $20. I explained that if someone steals the camera, they're also getting the grip and batteries and if I'm out shooting, they'll possible get the tripod and head too. While they're individually $80-$300, in total it would be a painful loss and worth $20 in my opinion.
Hope I never need it but it's comforting to know I'm covered if I ever run into a thief or have an accident that renders an expensive piece of gear useless.
May 3, 2023 01:32:05 #
tramsey wrote:
Check with your household insurance policy or agent
Yes this often works well.
I have a business insurance policy with State Farm that covers all my camera and computer gear worldwide for any loss or damage, and includes a million dollar liability coverage for any shoots I do.
Cheers
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