Camera Insurance

[brandon.ME]

Last week I took the plunge and went from a modest investment into photography as a hobby into a very expensive hobby. I ordered a D30, a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L zoom lens, battery grip, microdrive, extra battery, hand strap, camera bag, etc. Essentially spending about 5 times as much as I did for my Olympus 3040 and its various accessories.

Just yesterday, my carefree attitude about photography and digital cameras changed. While taking pictures on a camping trip (my Olympus 3040 was on a bogen tripod w/strap), I moved from one spot to the other, flipped the strap of the tripod onto my shoulder (like I had done a hundred times), when I saw (in slow motion of course) the tripod (with my camera on it) slowly tumble to the ground and hit one of the only rocks around (of course, right!?). The strap had disconnected from the tripod! Of course my Olympus was damaged cosmetically and electronically. I yet to know what the exact damage is, but I know that if it is worth fixing the money is coming out of my pocket (which is empty because of the D30 purchase)! Obviously, my wife and I are pretty upset at this unfortunate experience, so want to do whatever is possible to protect ourselves in the future. I'm assuming you can get camera insurance, right? What's your experience with protecting your cameras...I'm sure a lot of you have more expensive equipment than myself. Thanks!

--Brandon

[JCDoss]

You should ask your agent who handles your homeowner's or renter's insurance. Although your homeowner's/renter's policy will protect you from theft or damage resulting from fire/burglary/natural disasters when at home, there is no protection when away from home (I specifically asked a few months ago). What you'll need to do (probably) is get a rider attached to your existing policy for your equipment for damage in the field.

I'll be doing that when I get my startup kit (probably this week!).

Keep us posted! And if possible, let us know who your company is. Mine is State Farm.

Thanks,
JCDoss

[WJ Fleury]

Sorry to hear about your fallen camera. What I have is a rider to my home owners insurance. Got the rider the day after I got my Minolta RD 3000, had it for about 6 months and lost it, some how one of the boys never put it in the car. $4800 value, minus $500 deductable got insurance check for $4300 and I bought my D30 last fall. I am glad I had the insurance. The rider cost me about $65 a year.
WJF

[brandon.ME]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I just sent in my Olympus 3040 to get an estimate (I'll let you know how it turns out). I also called my insurance agent today (AllState), and they said it would be around $84/year to insure $4100 worth of equipment ($0 deductible), which to me is a "no-brainer". Again, I'll post more specifics when I get them.

Thanks!
--Brandon

PS: Unfortunately, Canoga contacted me today and said they didn't get their D30 shipment, so it looks like I won't be getting it until Friday or Saturday. Doh!

[nitwit3]

Great idea...I agree, the cost of the D30 and lenses etc, etc, etc, etc...make me worry more than just a little bit about any kind of loss. Thanks for the post, I'll look into the insurance tomorrow.
I got mine from Canoga also...two weeks ago.

Cheers,
The Nitwit

[brandon.ME]

All--

Though I don't have a status on my Olympus 3040 yet. I do have the low down on my D30 stuff. Essentially I bought $4100 worth of gear from Canoga Cameras. D30, CANON EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM, battery grip, bag, microdrive, hand strap, etc. I added the stuff to my Allstate home owner's insurance with a $0 deductible (covers everything except a few things like: nuclear explosion, insect investation, and a couple other wacky scenarios) on it...costs a mere $84/year. A no-brainer to me.

--Brandon

[rojoyinc]

I'll bet it's covered on your home owners policy.
Though you'll probably have a deductable.

Don't feel bad - I left one of my 7,000.00 RZ film cameras outdoors last summer and the sprinkers came on and totally destroyed the camera. I was shocked to find it was covered in my business policy. (cept for 250.00 deductable).

[Kenmc]

State Farm offers a rider to your home insurance that pretty much goes $10 per year per $1000. I have my D30 insured at $4000 with $0 deductible and it costs me $40 a year. I also have my 8" LX200 Telescope, bicycle, and wife's wedding ring insured the same way.

The items are covered for ANYTHING. Loss of use, loss, damage, stolen, etc.. My agent calls it "The license to steal plan."