Photography equipment insurance

Does anyone have any recommendations for companies to insure photo equipment?

I've been using InsureMyEquipment.com for the last several years. About $540/year to insure all my equipment w/$500 domestic deductible, replacement cost.

I was thinking about joining PPA (Professional Photographers of America) to use their included insurance of up to $15K, $250 deductible for first claim but they cover for depreciated value. I get the added benefit of PPA membership (which I'm not sure is of much value to me because I'm a landscape photographer & they seem to be more focused on portrait/wedding photography) plus up to 15K of insurance. Just wish it was replacement cost. I can upgrade to their "Plus" insurance tier but that would be an additional $540/year for replacement cost.

When I go on a big photography trip, I estimate I'm carrying with me 25K of equipment. I'm extremely careful with my equipment but all it takes is one time for someone to somehow steal everything.

I'm not traveling ful-time taking pictures. I go on maybe 2 photography trips/year when I'm bringing most all my gear and several times/year photographing closer to home with just the gear I need.

I'd like to hear from others about their thoughts & experiences with insuring their equipment so I can make a better educated decision.

Thank you.

dougsturgess wrote in post #18901914
Does anyone have any recommendations for companies to insure photo equipment?

I, too, would really like to find insurance for my gear. . I do make some money with my photography, and therefore am not eligible for the riders that are normally able to be tacked on to one's home or auto insurance. . Most companies charge a lot more if you do photography as a business.

I'm following this thread and hoping to find a viable recommendation for truly affordable insurance.
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dougsturgess wrote in post #18901914
I've been using InsureMyEquipment.com for the last several years. About $540/year to insure all my equipment w/$500 domestic deductible, replacement cost.

$540/year for $25,000 worth of gear? . OUCH! . That would never work with my financial situation. . No wonder you are looking for a different company.

I am looking for comprehensive coverage somewhere in the neighborhood of $10 or $12 a month for $15,000 of gear.

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dougsturgess wrote in post #18901914
I was thinking about joining PPA (Professional Photographers of America) to use their included insurance of up to $15K, $250 deductible for first claim but they cover for depreciated value ..... Just wish it was replacement cost. I can upgrade to their "Plus" insurance tier but that would be an additional $540/year for replacement cost.

How much is it to join? . Also, do they have a cap on how much total gear they will cover with the insurance that is included with the basic membership dues?

I figured it's easier and a few seconds quicker to ask you here than to look it up myself. . I'm all about saving seconds .... and dollars

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Do you consider yourself a Pro, or simply an avid enthusiast who makes some side income?

If the latter, you can ask your insurance company to write a policy for an explicit list of goods...like your wife's fancy 1 Carat wedding solitaire, or your kit of itemized photography equipment.

Wilt wrote in post #18901928
Do you consider yourself a Pro, or simply an avid enthusiast who makes some side income?

If the latter, you can ask your insurance company to write a policy for an explicit list of goods...like your wife's fancy 1 Carat wedding solitaire, or your kit of itemized photography equipment.

I suppose I'm a pro. . I make about 30% of my total annual income from photography ..... although that isn't really that much money because I am poor.

Your "side item" theory doesn't jive with what every single company and agent has ever told me. . According to every policy, if you make any money whatsoever with your photography, then the policy is null and void (unless, of course, it is a commercial policy). . My friend couldn't even get insurance as a rider to his homeowner's policy because it was possible to buy a print off of his SmugMug site - even though he has never sold a single image there, nor made so much as a single dollar from his photography. . He had to disable that option from his SmugMug site before his rider policy would be effective.

Wilt, when offering advice or suggestions about insurance, you can't just go by what seems to make sense to you, or by how you think it probably works. When it comes to insurance, you have to go strictly by the fine print in the policy details. . That is what the companies go by if you try to file a claim, so it is really the only thing that counts.

I have already looked into getting insurance with my auto insurance company. . I worked with them for about two weeks, with many emails and phone calls back and fourth in order to figure out a way to insure my gear with premiums that I could afford. . It never happened. . I mean, the best they could do wasn't even close.

I also talked with the local State Farm agent about this several years ago. . Same thing - the premiums were preposterously expensive, in my opinion.

EDIT: . I just remembered that in 2015, I met with another local agent about this. . She works with a whole bunch of different companies, and finds the cheapest rate for her clients. . When it came to camera gear insurance, she called me back to say that nothing was available for the premiums I was willing to pay.

I think this is a case of what I am willing to pay being far, far, far below the "going rate" that companies charge ..... which leaves me feeling a little hopeless about ever finding what I am looking for.

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Tom,
Try explaining the rules of English spelling in a simple manner. Can't really.
I know insurance is not simple either, and varies by insurance company policies, but generally it is possible to get a separate policy on goods if they are not used professionally, which is why I first asked if he considered himself a 'pro'...to keep the discussion simple at first!

As is true of many photographic discussions, "It DEPENDS!"

Joining PPA cost about $28 a month. That gives you $15,000 worth of insurance however it’s not replacement value it is depreciated. When you buy an insurance policy through another company like insure my equipment.com that is for replacement value.

I would recommend never adding a rider on to your Homeowners policy because if you ever file a claim for damaged or lost equipment you will very likely have a difficult time finding any insurance company to ensure your home again. I encountered that once and that’s why I always look for an independent company.

I'll be following this thread. I'm squarely in the hobbyist group, already have a completely separate policy on my gear, under $40 a year, but the policy is for 100% personal use. Can't make a dime via photography. I'd like to have the option to sell some prints here or there, but can't really afford what my insurance company quoted me for a commercial policy.

Definitely interested in this. Home policy came up for renewal and mentioned to my broker that I had a fairly expensive amount of camera gear and was wondering if my policy would cover it or if I need to have it itemized to ensure coverage.

Just finished adding it up and comes to over $30K in replacement value!!!

I could have been knocked over by a feather. Didn't remember spending all that over the years.

I don't know if this is helpful, but I was wondering about this once and asked a Pro Photographer and he said look for what they call a "Marine Policy". This is just a policy on your camera gear.

I installed the MyGearVault app to my phone and entered my equipment. The app has a function that will reach out to insurance companies. The Hartford called me back but I have not spoken to them yet.

My is covered or added to the homeowners insurance.
I also have the Canon Care Pak for my newest camera and plan to renew it if possible.