Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

gpgyo · **Insurance for Your Camera Gear -** 03-21-2005, 01:11 PM

The recent misfortune of one of our members has me thinking about insurance, or more specifically, the lack thereof. Perhaps some of you are uninsured like me and could benefit from what our insured members know about insurance for their equipment.

Please post what you know or your personal experience with insurance for your camera gear. If you don't mind, please let us know if your insurance company considers you a professional (and how they came to that conclusion,) if you have a rider on your home insurance policy or a standalone policy, how much insurance you have, and how much you pay for it. Also, if you have an agent you would like to recommend that would be great, too.

Thanks in advance,
Greg

ndsimm · 03-21-2005, 01:17 PM

just posted the same thing, can someone close my post and answer here???

again my apologies to equipment junkie on his loss, but I just got off the phone with my State Farm rep who told me that since I do business with my equipment, it would not be covered under ym homeowners policy...what's more, they have no coverage for my equipment at all since I do not have a standing studio and I am considered freelance....
So I need equipment insurance recommendations from those that have it and what it covers, thanks

MyKey · 03-21-2005, 01:29 PM

Besides the normal All-State, State Farm, etc. insurance agencies here are two which deal with the photographer and their equipment you might like to check out.

http://www.hillusher.com/WPPI/index.html

http://www.groupinsure.com/

Hope the information helps!

Gordon · 03-21-2005, 02:14 PM

I had a similar experience with State Farm. They offer no policies that will cover camera equipment if you make any money from it on a part-time basis. Their definition of 'professional' usage is any paid usage at all. If you sell a print, they consider it professional use, stock sales etc. They would not give me a quote for insuring it for professional usage, as I do not maintain a studio. (same as ndsimm)

I now have my equipment insured through the Rand Insurance Group, via NANPA ( http://www.nanpa.org/insurance.html )

A bit pricy, ($350 minimum) but with a good deductable (only $250) and worldwide, 'all risk' coverage for my camera gear and laptop used for photography. You also have to factor in the annual NANPA membership ($90)

I needed a policy that would cover me overseas ( many US insurance policies don't) and didn't have a $1000 deductable (many policies seemed to) I'm also covered for any use of the camera, professional assignment or otherwise.

Abel · 03-21-2005, 03:23 PM

interesting thread as i called my ins agent this morning about a policy...

she said for 10-11k in coverage is $150 a year... she asked what i use the camera equip for, and i said home based photography business... she didnt even blink and said she'd have my forms mailed out to me for my review...

i should get them in a couple of days so ill look over them and see what the deductable is etc...

Gordon · 03-21-2005, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abel

interesting thread as i called my ins agent this morning about a policy...

she said for 10-11k in coverage is $150 a year... she asked what i use the camera equip for, and i said home based photography business... she didnt even blink and said she'd have my forms mailed out to me for my review...

One other story that I read repeatedly was people making big claims for camera equipment, getting paid and then finding out their home owners coverage had been cancelled. It seems to be worthwhile not combining camera insurance and house/contents/renters insurance together for this reason.

The message boards at www.sportsshooter.com have a whole lot of threads about insurance for freelancers.

bbailey · 03-21-2005, 10:43 PM

When I got my 20D the first thing I did was call my State Farm agent about what they call Personal Article insurance. They asked me if I was a professional and I said no. They said ok, but if I ever do go pro I would need a different policy. After all was said and done I have full coverage, no deductable for the 20D kit for about $35 a year. If I get any expensive glass I will do the same.

Not to shabby and without the hassle of adding coverage to an existing policy.

ndsimm · 03-22-2005, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abel

interesting thread as i called my ins agent this morning about a policy...

she said for 10-11k in coverage is $150 a year... she asked what i use the camera equip for, and i said home based photography business... she didnt even blink and said she'd have my forms mailed out to me for my review...

i should get them in a couple of days so ill look over them and see what the deductable is etc...

Abel, who is your insurance with....Looks like it's time to change carriers...

gpgyo · 03-22-2005, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abel

interesting thread as i called my ins agent this morning about a policy...

she said for 10-11k in coverage is $150 a year... she asked what i use the camera equip for, and i said home based photography business... she didnt even blink and said she'd have my forms mailed out to me for my review...

i should get them in a couple of days so ill look over them and see what the deductable is etc...

Is this an add-on to your home owners insurance?

Gordon · 03-22-2005, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbailey

When I got my 20D the first thing I did was call my State Farm agent about what they call Personal Article insurance. They asked me if I was a professional and I said no. They said ok, but if I ever do go pro I would need a different policy. After all was said and done I have full coverage, no deductable for the 20D kit for about $35 a year. If I get any expensive glass I will do the same.

Not to shabby and without the hassle of adding coverage to an existing policy.

That was the story I got from my State Farm agent too. I've had gear covered by them, on a personal articles policy for about 2 years (never did make any claims). When I called up to get a quote and upgrade my policy for part-time/freelance work they told me that they don't have any policies that would cover that. (She thought an inland marine policy would, but you have to maintain a studio for that)

I now have an inland marine policy with Rand Insurance/ Chubb Group, via NANPA. The big advantage with them over other policies is the low deductable. Many of the professional policies have deductables of $1000 and minimum fees of $500.