Advice needed - Insurance on a rented lens???

[mattyv53]

I have rented a Canon 400mm f2.8 for a pro soccer match I am shooting this weekend. I have rented lenses in the past, but never one with such a large price tag. My concern is a ball goes wide of the net and hits my camera and then I have to pay for the lens. I know the odds of that happening are very slim, and it has never happened to me before, but I was wondering if anyone out there knows if it is possible to purchase some sort of insurance to protect against such a situation.

Thanks.

[tomd]

I think many lens rental companies have an insurance option,
from lensrentals.com
Damage Insurance
Do I need damage insurance?

You may have coverage through your homeowners, travel, or business insurance, especially if you have a separate rider for photography equipment. Even if you are covered, however, the deductible may be quite high, often $500 or $1,000 dollars. Some of those policies cover only theft or loss and do not provide coverage if you break the lens. We suggest you check with your company. If you aren’t covered for damage, you might want to consider renters insurance.
What does the damage insurance cover?

Our damage insurance covers repair of a lens should it be damaged while in your possession. If this happens, you will be responsible only for paying only a deductible (5% of the lens’ sales price). Without damage insurance you are responsible for the cost of repairing or replacing a damaged lens.
also see:
http://www.borrowlenses.com/page/about#Damage

[tomd]

more info (http://www.borrowlenses.com/product/canon_super_tele/Canon_400mm_f2.8_IS):
the insurance is approx $60 for the 400/2.8

[DDCSD]

A little late, but you may want to consider getting business insurance that will cover rented gear. Your yearly premium would likely be less than getting it one time through the rental place.

[DDCSD]

Oh, and a soccer ball won't do anything to a 400 2.8 unless its filled with concrete and shot out of a cannon. ;)

I'd be more worried about it getting stolen or destroyed in a motor vehicle crash on the way to the game.

[RickyH]

A little late, but you may want to consider getting business insurance that will cover rented gear. Your yearly premium would likely be less than getting it one time through the rental place.

Agreed. I'm working on doing the same thing. I rent an apartment & it SHOULD be covered under my renters insurance. Its a little screwy with my company as it doesn't cover 100% of the situations (only like 90%). So I'm planning on changing companies in the very near future. I think certain rent houses have one time policies, but if you think you will do it more in the future, you should look at a regular plan.

As for the lens, you should be fine. I've been shooting pro soccer all summer & being caught in the line of fire is highly unlikely.

[aperturent]

We offer rental insurance like most rental companies. It is strongly recommended that you get it, but like Ricky said, some homeowners insurance will cover rented gear used for personal purposes.

There are also companies that specifically insure rented equipment, such as http://insuremyrentals.com but the process of getting a short term policy is much more complicated than simply adding insurance through the rental company you choose to use.

I have also shot soccer games before and like others have said, it's very unlikely that you'll get a hit so big that your lens will break, however having insurance always gives you peace of mind, so to me it's worth getting.

[mattyv53]

I'm sorry that it took me so long to respond, but I wanted to thank you all for the information.

I went to the game without the insurance and actually got nailed by a ball while I was shooting warmups (I never saw it coming). Luckily I was turned a little sideways and it didn't hit me on the side where the camera was. It sure stung, but I held onto the camera.

Thanks again for the info.

Matt

[jamesb84]

Oh, and a soccer ball won't do anything to a 400 2.8 unless its filled with concrete and shot out of a cannon. ;)

I'd be more worried about it getting stolen or destroyed in a motor vehicle crash on the way to the game.

This is very true, I've been hit by a football at full force before, and while it stings for a bit, you're generally OK...it's worse if you get hit when you're looking through the camera, good friend of mine ended up in hospital with a fractured "orbit" (the bone around the eye) after he (and his 400) were hit with a ball, lens and camera were fine, but the force of the shot smacked the camera into his face and fractured the bone...he did get a signed shirt to make up for it!

[DDCSD]

This is very true, I've been hit by a football at full force before, and while it stings for a bit, you're generally OK...it's worse if you get hit when you're looking through the camera, good friend of mine ended up in hospital with a fractured "orbit" (the bone around the eye) after he (and his 400) were hit with a ball, lens and camera were fine, but the force of the shot smacked the camera into his face and fractured the bone...he did get a signed shirt to make up for it!


Ouch!:cry:

[RickyH]

This is very true, I've been hit by a football at full force before, and while it stings for a bit, you're generally OK...it's worse if you get hit when you're looking through the camera, good friend of mine ended up in hospital with a fractured "orbit" (the bone around the eye) after he (and his 400) were hit with a ball, lens and camera were fine, but the force of the shot smacked the camera into his face and fractured the bone...he did get a signed shirt to make up for it!


Was it at least from a notable player? haha.

[jamesb84]

Was it at least from a notable player? haha.

I dont think it was...it was an FA Cup replay between Portsmouth and Bristol City, and i think it was one of the Bristol City players...wouldnt have been so bad if it'd been a Pompey player!

[TomBrooklyn]

It doesn't come with a lens hood to protect the glass as well as eliminate flare?

[bnorm27]

Personally, I never rent without taking out the insurance. You just never know. On a related topic, does anyone know of any insurance companies that strictly insure camera gear? I know I could get a rider on my homeowners, but I was wondering if any companies just handle photography equipment.