Camera gear insurance

[saravanansuri]

Hello, As the title says, I am in need some serious help about the camera gear insurance. I am not sure, whether this is the right place to discuss this in the forum, anyways let me start. I am just a hobbyist and currently have a D80, but planning on getting a D700 or its replacement soon. My 70-200VRII is on the way and I am starting to think more seriously about some insurance for my gear. I dont do any commercial work. So what kind of insurance do I need to take in Texas and which firm do you guys suggest. Any help is greatly appreciated... Thanks

[venchka]

For non-commercial use:

State Farm writes ALL of my home/auto/renters insurance. For about $1.40/$100, I give them a list of hardware (model, serial number, replacement value) and they provide no deductable all risk coverage for everything on my list. If I drop something and smash it? Covered. If somebody takes something away from me? Covered. If I get drowned in a torrential rain storm and something stops working? Covered. ALL RISK means just that. No deductable isnice too since my homeowners deductable is Ginormous!

[saravanansuri]

Originally Posted by venchka

For non-commercial use:

State Farm writes ALL of my home/auto/renters insurance. For about $1.40/$100, I give them a list of hardware (model, serial number, replacement value) and they provide no deductable all risk coverage for everything on my list. If I drop something and smash it? Covered. If somebody takes something away from me? Covered. If I get drowned in a torrential rain storm and something stops working? Covered. ALL RISK means just that. No deductable isnice too since my homeowners deductable is Ginormous!

Thanks Wayne. I will check with my SF agent. Appreciate your help.

[Casey G]

Originally Posted by venchka

For non-commercial use:

State Farm writes ALL of my home/auto/renters insurance. For about $1.40/$100, I give them a list of hardware (model, serial number, replacement value) and they provide no deductable all risk coverage for everything on my list. If I drop something and smash it? Covered. If somebody takes something away from me? Covered. If I get drowned in a torrential rain storm and something stops working? Covered. ALL RISK means just that. No deductable isnice too since my homeowners deductable is Ginormous!

is that $1.40 per $100 a year or month? i've never thought about this before, but ya'll have me thinking.

[Hogleg 44]

Originally Posted by Casey G

is that $1.40 per $100 a year or month? i've never thought about this before, but ya'll have me thinking.

i was wondering the same thing.
I'd guess 6 months, since my car and home policies are renewed at 6 month intervals with SF.

[Debbi]

My policy is actually on an annual basis (like my home owners). I have mine with Farm Bureau and they don't care if it's for a business or not (and there's nothing excluding commercial in their policy/rider). But then again, they couldn't have cared less when we put in a diving pool but the horse was insured for 100K in case he got out and a car hit him. Anyway, I pay about $150 a year for all risk coverage.

[rwzeitgeist]

I'm not a pro. I insured my gear with State Farm on a policy separate from my homeowner's policy. As noted above, I provided a description of each item, the serial number, and the amount of insurance I wanted on it (usually the replacement value). I elected to adjust the total coverage to just below one of the points at which the premium jumped up.

A couple of months ago I filed a claim. (I fell on slick rocks and the impact on the flare shield loosened one of the joints on a 70-200mm F/2.8L non-IS.) I dropped by their office with the Canon repair bill, answered their questions in a followup phone call, and shortly thereafter received a check for the full repair amount.

Bob

[Valerie]

Look up Bill Barber in the Houston/Sugarland area. He is a photographer and State Farm agent. He should be able to answer any questions.

[saravanansuri]

Thanks everyone for your help. I will check with SF tomorrow and will let you guys know.

[d2creative]

I do the same with Allstate. It's a Personal Articles Policy attached to your homeowner's insurance.

[Hanky]

I could only find one thread on this topic but I'm sure I have seen more.
Maybe this will be usefull to you as well.
http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...insurance.html

[KenJulio]

I did a quick search and found this thread from back in August, BillBunton brought up NANPA which is the North American Nature Photography Association, which you will need to be a member of to get a discount for their insurance options.

Thread in August - http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ight=insurance

Direct link to the insurance section - The North American Nature Photography Association - Equipment Insurance

[jmc2]

Timely thread as I am interested in the same. I have SF and they asked if my gear was for personal or commercial use. That was about a year ago though. I'll have to stop by the office and inquire again.

[Wes]

Here are a few thoughts...

* If you cover your gear under your Home Owners, will it be covered if it gets damaged/stolen while you are on the road? I've read a bunch of threads that suggest that it might not.
* Do you make any money at all from photography? That will make a difference as to the kind of insurance you'll need.

I checked with State Farm on this very issue last week. I told them the value of my gear mentioned that I do happen to make money with photography. They wanted to know how much I made (from photography) and how/where the gear is stored. The quote they gave me was for about $480/year (based upon the value of what's being insured) and had a $1000 deductible. Yikes!

I'm getting my gear insured through PPA. Cost is about the same but only has a $100 deductible.

Wayne - I'd love to talk to your agent. My agent said that there's no way that they could write me a policy like the one you described. Seriously - can you PM me the office name and phone number?

[DigiSLR]

State Farm personal articles policy is the way to go, IF, you are not a PRO. IF you use your gear for professional use, the rates are considerably higher, otherwise, for an amateur wanting to protect his or her gear, I couldn't find a better policy anywhere.