Camera Insurance suggestions? . . .

[Matthias099]

I was calling my home owners insurance today to inquire if I could add my gear to the policy, just to find out, that my deductible would be more than half the value of my stuff. Additionally they would raise my monthly premium for the additional value. And in case of theft etc. they only would cover like for like, meaning they would not replace it with a new camera but a used one of about the same value as my old one. Therefore I am looking for alternatives to insure my gear, especially when I am traveling.

Does anyone have a suggestion about a cheap insurance that will cover your gear while on the road or otherwise. Does anyone have an experience with any of the insurances out there, that specialize in camera gear?

All input would be appreciated!

[MikeW]

Humm good question.

You may want to call some agents in your area and ask around. It seems like there should be a carrier out there that could write your equipment on a schedule for an agreed value and not replacement cost. Most carriers do those types of schedule endorsements for gun collections, jewlery , and other stuff.

Agreed value will pay the listed/agreed value in the event of a loss. Replacement cost is the value with depreciation.

Good luck

[Matthias099]

Thanks, for your tip. But I wish I could get some more info from more of the people here in the forum. According to the poll, that we did recently about half had some kind of Insurance for their gear, if I remember correctly. Have most of you just added it to your home insurance? What about the coverage? Please let me know your experience.

[HockeyFan]

I'm curious about this too. It's not that I intend to be unreasonably rough with my camera equipment, but since I'm not a pro, I'm afraid that if something were to happen to the equipment, that it could be months before I could afford to replace it if anything were seriously damaged.

[MikeW]

I called the agency where I use to work. I have carried my P&C Insurance license for 10+ years and this should not be a big deal to get covered.

The person that I spoke to has 25+ years in personal lines insurance writing with various carriers. She agreed that it will depend on the carrier as to how this risk could best be covered. She did say that there are carriers that will use a blank endorsement (on your home owners) to write the coverage that you want with any deductible, and on agreed value.

I understand that you want replies here on the site so you can see the coverage’s/pricing that others may have but you would have to switch to that carrier. Then where you live vs. where they live can still effect the pricing greatly.

The only way this would not go on your home owner’s coverage would be if you use your equipment commercially. If you make money for a shoot then the equipment needs to be covered under a commercial insurance policy. The rate may even be better going that route.


Good luck and I hope that you get the replies that you are looking for.

[prrs4me]

I added a rider to my homeowners insurance. For $8.00 per year I have $5000.00 worth of coverage. The coverage is world wide so I am covered when I am on vacation. Each item cannot exceed $1000 so if I have a lens or camera worth more then I would lose the difference. I feel for $8 it is well worth it. However I am going to call to see what the next level up would be as my kit has had "growing pains".
Hope this helps. I live in the New York city area so everything here is kind of high cost. And I am insured with a national company.

[Teewinot]

I've been meaning to call my homeowner's insurance provider, so thanks for the reminder!

In case you are curious, this topic was discussed recently here.

[sk66]

I have my kit insured with the same company I have my homeowners and cars insured with. I pay 45/yr for $4500.00 coverage. Insurance coverage is 100%, no deductible, any where, for any reason...
If I didn't carry my gear on my motorcycle (I've lost two motorcycles), or when rock climbing, or boating, or city side streets at midnight, well then I might consider it excessively costly.

[shutterbug_wannabe]

I can't speak for other companies however I worked for State Farm for several years and what you would go with through them is a personal articles policy. It is full replacement cost, no deductible and would be covered for almost any peril except accidental damage. Those policies are pretty reasonable although I can't quote a price because that would depend on several variables. Ballpark should be somewhere around $2500 in coverage for around $45-$50 a year. That's my two cents worth.