Any good tips on Insurance?

[NBEast]

I'm up to about $5K if you include the Terastation. $8K if you include the computers.

I don't want to add it to my home insurance because any claim against that can actually jeopardize my resale value (crazy insurance business) because some companies won't insure a home if the prior owner made a claim in 3 years (including luggage lost abroad).

Figure there's got to be some bad stories out there, and some good ones.

[Rumjungle]

If you're in SoCal, give State Farm a call. I'm happy with my policy and the prices are reasonable.

[Jamie Holladay]

If you're in SoCal, give State Farm a call. I'm happy with my policy and the prices are reasonable.

I second that. I have State Farm and thier rates are reasonable and when I rented some stuff from PPR they covered that for the week for $15 bucks.

Jamie

[NBEast]

If you're in SoCal, give State Farm a call. I'm happy with my policy and the prices are reasonable.Thanks, I am in SoCal.

I've noticed in my professional insurance that there's a huge difference in premium for the minimum required insurance.

Did you shop around and find State Farm to be the cheapest, or almost cheapest, among the big names?

[aussieskier]

I personally have an add on to my home owners insurance through Country insurance. It cost 20 dollars a year for the photography gear full coverage and no deductible. Don't know if you want to look into another agency for all your stuff, but I would think that an add on wouldn't be much more through your current company.
Riley

[NBEast]

I personally have an add on to my home owners insurance through Country insurance. It cost 20 dollars a year for the photography gear full coverage and no deductible. Don't know if you want to look into another agency for all your stuff, but I would think that an add on wouldn't be much more through your current company.
RileyJust so you know that a claim on your home insurance has consequences you might not imagine. They've really got us in a corner on that one.

I'm really looking to do a separate insurance somewhere, not tied to my home in any way. Thanks for the suggestion though.

[cecilc]

Check out Tom Pickard Inc. insurance ...http://groupinsure.com/

They offer the following coverages, particularly for the photographer in mind. I, too, would be very careful in "riding" photo and equipment coverage in your homeowner's policy ....
This is also a liability insurance coverage, again a very important part of any insurance package for a photographer (if you're on a sideline shooting high school or youth sports). For instance, if you're on the sidelines shooting a high school football game and the play comes at you and through you and star running back Johnny bounces off you and your equipment and tears cartilage in his knee, ending his high school career and scholarship opportunities to a D1 college ..... YOU might very well be sued by Johnny's parents.
Now I know that the initial insurance question probably didn't include that particular scenario, but you just never know .... and you gotta be careful out there!

Business Personal Property: $7,000

Coverage for general office contents bought by the business for the business. Betterment’s and improvements to your studio should also be included in the figure.

Desktop Computer Equipment: $ 7,500

Laptop/Walkie Talkies: $ 1,000

Coverage for desktop hardware and software you own. Replacement Cost valuation applies per schedule provided by you. Laptops & Walkie Talkies are rated separately.

Owned Camera Equipment: $15,000

Photography Equipment which you own while at the studio or on location. Replacement Cost valuation applies. Earthquake & World wide coverage included.

Rented Camera Equipment: $-0-

Coverage for Photography Equipment which you rent and are responsible for, Replacement Cost valuation, applies. Earthquake & World wide coverage included.

Property of Others: (Premises Only) $15,000

Coverage for product or property on your premises, in your care, custody or control. Certain exclusions apply.

Comprehensive General Liability: Aggregate $4,000,000
(Motion Picture, Film & Video Liability not covered) Per Occurrence $2,000,000

Covers Bodily Injury and Property Damage for which you are legally liable. Certificates of Insurance naming the Certificate Holder as an “Additional Insured” are $25 per certificate.

Other Coverage’s:

INCLUDED
OPTIONAL
· Portfolio Coverage ($3,000)

· Business Income &
Extra Expense

· Rental Reimbursement
(Included)

· $500 Policy Deductible


· Errors & Omissions $2,000,000 @ $150 Flat

· Workers Compensation $1,000,000 (call for rates)

· Hired & Non-Owned Auto $2,000,000 @ $150 (varies by State)

[NBEast]

Thanks all! Conclusion, State Farm here I come!


The Pro Photographer's insurance plan seems to be minimum $500. The agent commented that regular insurance can present collection problems if you just left it lying around (like while working a wedding). I'm sure with any, too many claims would earn a cancellation and difficulty in getting a new one.

State Farm gives the same equipment insurance (albiet possibly harder to collect if you were neglegent) for $1.35 per $100 insured, replacement value.

So if I've got $1000 in gear, it costs $13.50 per year. For me, it'll be about $50.

They do personal computer stuff for $1.00 per $100 insured.

I could probably re-purchase all my computer stuff (same models) used for about $2500. So that'll be worth the extra $25 a year too.

I'll just take photos, list serial numbers, $75, and take receipt copies to them Monday and sign up. Hope to never use it, but a simple break-in won't destroy my favorite hobby!

[mdmedicgod]

I have state farm as well. I have also read on here and different forums... Where people have missed placed, dropped, or gear just vanished. State Farm has payed all claims. When I got my policy. My agent told me. Even I did lens change and I dropped it.. It would be covered..

[ninab]

I just stumbled upon this, which is perfect as I have been looking for insurance myself. My whole thing is what happens if equipment failes at a wedding (shutter problems on the film camera or CF card failure at download time) and a good portion of the photos is lost, the client is upset, wants a reshoot - any insurance out there that covers that? The one I talked to (Arrowhead) will ensure me for things like starting a fire, but not equipment failure. Stupid. State Farm again? I'm in NorCal.

Thanks for the input!

[NBEast]

I just stumbled upon this, which is perfect as I have been looking for insurance myself. My whole thing is what happens if equipment failes at a wedding (shutter problems on the film camera or CF card failure at download time) and a good portion of the photos is lost, the client is upset, wants a reshoot - any insurance out there that covers that? The one I talked to (Arrowhead) will ensure me for things like starting a fire, but not equipment failure. Stupid. State Farm again? I'm in NorCal.

Thanks for the input!
Check the Tom Pickard link again. I talked with them, I think they're in No. Cal., not that it matters.

They're more suited to photo-business and professional insurance, not just equipment loss. I didn't ask much more once they said "$500" since I know I can't afford that, nor need it.

I believe State Farm and several other big players also offer professional insurance of all kinds.

[MichelleK]

Not to be the negative voice...but I hate state farm. I had them for my renters and car insurance and had my car broken and my laptop taken out of the car. They were really good about paying the claim, very fast...but then dropped me a couple days later!!!

I have USAA now but that is military only. I have $5K floater/endorcement on my camera equipment and $5K floater/endorcement on my computers. I pay a little extra a month and those items are covered in case anything at all happens...they said even if a virus wipes out one of my computers and makes it un-usable.

Michelle K

[TH!EN]

prayer and faith is probablyall i use, nothing is really secure, but God is

[Skip Souza]

We have wandered astray. Play nice or the pool will be closed.
Oh yeah. My theft insurance is provided by Colt.

[mdmedicgod]

Not to be the negative voice...but I hate state farm. I had them for my renters and car insurance and had my car broken and my laptop taken out of the car. They were really good about paying the claim, very fast...but then dropped me a couple days later!!!

I have USAA now but that is military only. I have $5K floater/endorcement on my camera equipment and $5K floater/endorcement on my computers. I pay a little extra a month and those items are covered in case anything at all happens...they said even if a virus wipes out one of my computers and makes it un-usable.

Michelle K

Thats just the insurance game.... I'd rather have my personal articles policy dropped as opposed to my Home owners...

[SuzyView]

I did not put my gear insurance on my homeowners and yes, it is $500 a year, so not cheap, but it covers everything including students I will have. My thinking is, anything can happen, and will happen sometime. I travel with my equipment and I am not the most coordinated person, I drop things or lose things. I can almost control those issues, but if I lost my gear to theft, I'd be very sad and it wouldn't be right to have to pay to replace. Insurance is there for that. And I didn't want to attach liability to my home. My coverage is excellent and I recommend Zurich Small Business. They are international.