Photography Insurance

[icxmanny]

Like most of us here, we spent a lot of money of our beloved gear. I also know there are many different types of policies out there, but which one is reliable?

As a person who rarely uses his gear for commercial use, I still want to get protected from theft, damage, etc.

Any suggestions for reliable insurance for our gear?

[Lilikoi the cat]

homeowners policy with a rider to cover it.
but I don't think Shamu eating it will be covered.

[Killjoy]

I too have a rider on my homeowners policy.
But I'm thinking of changing that.

If you have a loss, and a subsequent claim, you now have a claim against your homeowners insurance.
Those people are finicky. They don't like to give out money.
If you have too many claims against your homeowners policy, they will drop you like a hot potato.
And good luck finding a new company to pick you up with claims against your policy.

When you do fill out an application for insurance, there is a question on there asking if you have had any claims in the last 3 years.

[RochinPhotography]

Using your Homeowners is a BAD idea (For the reasons Alan posted)

http://www.tcpinsurance.com/ is the way to go (IMO) and its not very expensive.

[lvolkjr]

I need to get some coverage. I had an experience last week where I stopped for lunch and left my bag of gear under the table and walked away. 2 hours later I realized that I had left it and sped all the way back to the restaurant to get it. When I got back there the waitress found it and put it in the back. I gave her a 20 for her trouble and almost kissed her. My wife probably wouldn't have appreciated that.

I don't know if that would have been covered, I guess I could have said it was stolen, but I hate to lie. I just hate that feeling in my stomach that I lost all my gear. I'm definitely going to check into Jonathan's advice.

[icxmanny]

Originally Posted by Lilikoi the cat

homeowners policy with a rider to cover it.
but I don't think Shamu eating it will be covered.

hahaha, Luckily I use Sea World's cameras.

[icxmanny]

Originally Posted by RochinPhotography

Using your Homeowners is a BAD idea (For the reasons Alan posted)

http://www.tcpinsurance.com/ is the way to go (IMO) and its not very expensive.

Thanks a lot. I'm gonna check it out. Is there any other companies that take care of us photographers?

[jhoeft]

Assuming you make any money from your hobby, be careful about using your Home Owners insurance unless it spells out in black and white that the covered equipment is used in a business. Otherwise when you go to make a claim they will deny it since you are not covered under your home owners policy if you are "running" a business. Insurance companies are in the business of not paying claims. My advice is to get a separate policy just for your equipment.