Insuring your equipment ?

[Mrs Smarty Pants]

I just called my homeowner's insurance to 'confirm' that my camera equipment is covered at "full replacement value" just like the rest of my stuff is - and come to find out that camera equipment is the ONE "exception" on my policy - and they don't have a special "rider" for it.

If my stuff is lost/stolen/damaged I get the depriciated value - that stinks.

Does anyone know where I can get my stuff insured ?

[Steve Parr]

What insurance company? "Fat Tony's Insurance & Recreational Dentistry"?

I'm with State Farm, and have insured my gear, for replacement value, for $34.00 a year...

[Mrs Smarty Pants]

I currently have "New Jersey Manufacturers" for both auto and home - someone suggested I join "professional photographers of america" except I'm not much of a professional .. hell I'm not even an amateur .. I'm a 'wannabe' :)

[PacAce]

What insurance company? "Fat Tony's Insurance & Recreational Dentistry"?

I'm with State Farm, and have insured my gear, for replacement value, for $34.00 a year...
I have State Farm, too. They will cover my camera equipment just like any other thing in the house if they are stolen or damaged by fire, etc, at full replacement cost new. However, they won't cover them for damages from accidents, drops, etc. because camera gear is, by their very nature, easily prone to breakage just like glass and crystals which aren't covered either. For that I need to buy a rider at $1.00 per $100 value. And it isn't new replacement value, just depreciated value or whatever it takes to buy it used. They don't even offer a new replacement value option even if I'm willing to pay a higher premium for it. Don't have much choice but I'll probably end up getting the rider anyway. :confused:

[BeccaNH]

I have a MetLife renter's insurance policy with an additional rider for my camera gear. I think the whole thing costs me around $120 a year.

[johnnybfan]

Farm Bureau. $250.00 deductible, replacement value, up to 4 claims per year, and just need to keep inventory on the pc or a memory card as proof. $34.00 a year on my homeowner's insurance. Also, any claims for camera gear won't affect my homeowner's ins.

[Longwatcher]

I have State Farm, too. They will cover my camera equipment just like any other thing in the house if they are stolen or damaged by fire, etc, at full replacement cost new. However, they won't cover them for damages from accidents, drops, etc. because camera gear is, by their very nature, easily prone to breakage just like glass and crystals which aren't covered either. For that I need to buy a rider at $1.00 per $100 value. And it isn't new replacement value, just depreciated value or whatever it takes to buy it used. They don't even offer a new replacement value option even if I'm willing to pay a higher premium for it. Don't have much choice but I'll probably end up getting the rider anyway. :confused:

The good part of State Farms rider is it covers your camera equipment if lost for any reason (except acts of war). Airlines lose your camera - covered, stolen in Jamaica - covered, dropped from 12,000 feet while hanging it out of the open door of the airplane to take pictures - covered. So far I haven't had to take them up on it, but have asked just to make sure.

[coreypolis]

DO NOT USE YOUR HOME OWNERS POLICY!!!

don't be fooled by its ease of use or cost, one or two claims on it and suddenly your rates go way up or you lose coverage. not worth it. you can get a seperate policy (not just a rider) for next to nothing. I had $16k insured through state farm for $250 a year. However there are limits, you can't earn money and it isn't covered outside the USA. so do some homework on it.

I'm about to use Tom Picards' group nsure (www.groupinsure.com) it is highly recommended by most pros, as its cheep but covers all your basis, and is customizable. The best thing is its liability coverage, so if you back into a light and burn a church down or little billy trips over your tripod and breaks his jaw, you'll be inusred.