How do you insure your equipment

[AberyClark]

I don't have all the pro gear..but with my laptop, photo printer, lenses, camera, case, external HD, etc...I would like insurance. Is this something to add to homeowners....or maybe a special independent policy?

[DDCSD]

I have an "inland marine" policy that covers pretty much anything along with my liability policy.

The best thing to do would be to visit a local independent agent that you trust for some quotes.

[morpheus6d9]

can you put your camera equipment under home owner ins ?

[BarryKC]

Yes you can - either on a per item basis (like expensive jewelry) or as I do and have a "blanket" amount added to my homeowner contents coverage which uses a total figure instead. Even with the blanket, my policy includes a list of those things covered under the blanket. Contents coverage under a homeowner policy is similar to "inland marine" coverage. Whether you cover on a per item basis or by blanket, you should ask what perils you will be protected against (fire, theft, etc.) and whether a deductible will apply at the time of a claim. You would not want to be surprised to find that if your camera was stolen, you would have to pay a large deductible first. Under my policy there is no deductible for listed items and the annual premium is about 2% of blanket amount ($3,000 coverage is about $60 per year). Check your homeowner policy coverage with an agent first. Professionals should not cover their equipment under a homeowner policy - business use may be specifically excluded. I hope this helps.

[morpheus6d9]

thanks barry i will contact my ins agent tomorrow

[Paul J McCain]

Individually under homeowners with State Farm.

[Sauk]

I have mine through state farm right now (about 13,000 dollars worth) but I am going to move to TCP insurance.

They are very highly regarded in the photography community. Very good prices as well. Right now I can save around 200 dollars by going through them for the same amount as above.

http://www.tcpinsurance.com/photographer.html

[zeva]

I have mine through state farm right now (about 13,000 dollars worth) but I am going to move to TCP insurance.

They are very highly regarded in the photography community. Very good prices as well. Right now I can save around 200 dollars by going through them for the same amount as above.

http://www.tcpinsurance.com/photographer.html


TCP seems to be like a professional insurance to me not for normal people... but rahter people with businesses

[Sauk]

it is for anyone to be honest. You do not have to be a pro.

[DDCSD]

TCP seems to be like a professional insurance to me not for normal people... but rahter people with businesses

It is ideal for those in the photography business, but still very applicable for hobbyists. The price is on par with lesser policies. It is nice to have a photographer specific policy. I went with my local agent's recommendation because of the fact that neither TCP or Hill & Usher are licensed in South Dakota.

The nice thing about these policies is that it covers many of the little things that you may run into that a general policy will not.

[zeva]

wow 510 a year? :( thats kinda high isnt it? for 7000 worth of stuff?

[DDCSD]

wow 510 a year? :( thats kinda high isnt it? for 7000 worth of stuff?

With who?


It depends on your neighborhood and what requirements and fees your state puts on insurance companies (there is always a higher price to be paid for the "great coverage requirements").

[zeva]

quote i got from TCP

[DDCSD]

quote i got from TCP

Does that include liability? It may be that you live in CA. I'd check with a local independent insurance agent. If the quotes that they come up with are comparable I'd go with TCP.

I've got over $11K and $1mil liability for less than $350 a year. That is not through TCP though, TCP doesn't write policies in SD.

[zeva]

OH ic well i will see... i m scared my stuff iwll get like stolen one day...

[funhouse69]

I've been looking for some kind of coverage as well.

I'm not a professional but have a good amount of equipment that would cost an arm and a leg to replace for sure.

I checked out TCP and it would be about $600 a year for me as well (from their quick quote). I suppose if they did a monthly plan it wouldn't be hard to take.

[rklepper]

I just have a rider on my homeower's policy. It is about $32 every 6 months. But, if you start using your gear professionally then you will need a different policy.

[Sauk]

Right now I am paying 52 dollars a month through State Farm for over 11,000 dollars worth of equipment.

With TCP I can get the same coverage for 485 a year 40 dollars.

I would look around but TCP is known for paying on time and not messing around with you if you have a claim.

[Rellik]

No one here has mentioned a deductible. That is one of the major factors if you need to claim something.

[DDCSD]

No one here has mentioned a deductible. That is one of the major factors if you need to claim something.

I have a $250 deductible. I decided to go ahead with a deductible since it was fairly cheaper with one and I would probably never claim anything under $500. Making small claims raises your premiums and is a hassle anyways.

[DennisW1]

can you put your camera equipment under home owner ins ?

Yes, and according to my State Farm agent, my gear is covered under my homeowners, as long as I'm not considered a working pro (which they define as making 50% or more of my annual income from photography). I was very specific with her about how much equipment I owned and it's approximate worth, but I was assured as long as It wasn't considered "for professional use" as defined above, that it was covered.
The deductable is the same as it would be for any claim on my homeowner's policy, which in my case is set at $500.

[whowell]

I have a separate policy through State Farm. They also have my homeowners, but the agent showed me how little you can get using your homeowners even with a rider.

My policy covers $ 16000.00 on my photo and astronomy items, with no deductible. It covers loss, theft, damage, etc. If I drop an item, or have an accident in my car while traveling, have something stolen, etc (even if I leave something behind and it's gone when I go back) it is covered for the cost of replacing or getting a new item, up to the cost I've listed for it. Each year I provide the agent with proof of the cost to replace each insured item.

My annual cost for the 16K is $118.00.

An astronomy buddy had someone drop a handful of gravel down the tube of his 20" reflector and scratch the coating on the mirror. He has the same type policy that I have....he took in a photo of the damage and a statement of what it would cost to re-coat the mirror. He had a check within a week.

Wayne
Port Townsend, WA

[jro]

TCP wanted $510 from me for $7k worth of gear.. ugh

[supra8903]

I pay about $30 for $3,000 in coverage from State Farm.... w/ $0 deduct

[Tigershark]

I have mine through Marsh 20K equipment somewhere around $400 a year with 100 deductible

[Sauk]

Well I officially made the jump to TCP insurance.

11k worth of equipment and my price was 406 dollars (zero renting insurance as I don't rent).

I am splitting it up into 4 payments so it ended up being around 200 dollars cheaper than State Farm.

[funhouse69]

I have mine through Marsh 20K equipment somewhere around $400 a year with 100 deductible

Do you have a website or something on this?

[ejicon]

How about insuring gear that you take when traveling. Like let say someone takes about $4k worth of equipment to Europe for a shoot. Do any of these insurance coverages cover that equipment? What if you just want to purchase temporary coverage for a weeks worth of traveling? Thanks

[Tigershark]

funhouse, if you are a member of PPA or SEP Marsh is the insurance group that provides the insurance. They seemed to be the best deal i could find.
http://global.marsh.com/

It is easier to find through PPA

[Just Be]

Right now I am paying 52 dollars a month through State Farm for over 11,000 dollars worth of equipment.

With TCP I can get the same coverage for 485 a year 40 dollars.

I would look around but TCP is known for paying on time and not messing around with you if you have a claim.

I'm paying about $50 a year for 6K worth of gear through State Farm on a PIP policy.

[ben_r_]

I have a personal articles policy through statefarm to insure mine. Its about $330 a year for almost $20K insured.

[DDCSD]

How about insuring gear that you take when traveling. Like let say someone takes about $4k worth of equipment to Europe for a shoot. Do any of these insurance coverages cover that equipment? What if you just want to purchase temporary coverage for a weeks worth of traveling? Thanks

You'll have to be sure with the policy you take out. Mine covers me anywhere, but some will not. That is one place where you need to read the fine print as every policy is different.

I believe that Hill & Usher and TCP does cover you when traveling, but I'd make sure before getting a policy with them.

[Just Be]

I have a personal articles policy through statefarm to insure mine. Its about $330 a year for almost $20K insured.

That's about right. Mine is around $2 per hundred of gear.

It covers everything from loss, damage by me or someone else, theft from anywhere, and even if I loose the gear on accident. And most importantly NO Deductable!

[ejicon]

You'll have to be sure with the policy you take out. Mine covers me anywhere, but some will not. That is one place where you need to read the fine print as every policy is different.

I believe that Hill & Usher and TCP does cover you when traveling, but I'd make sure before getting a policy with them.

Thanks. I'll check them out. I just need temp. insurance for Europe.