Gear insurance?

[jprime84]

I have heard this mentioned, and I wondered what was being used by people. I am not yet a homeowner, so I cant get anything covered under that.

A friend of mine has suggested that we go canoeing at a nearby lake that has a high population of eagles. That sounds great, but I cant help but picture my camera bag sinking into the depths and me out of luck.

What options are there?

[vandergus]

Just put a UV filter on it. It'll be fine.

[ClassicBeth]

Good question, since you don't have home insurance. I recently added all my expensive gear to my home insurance and it only cost about $25/year. Of course my deductible would apply and my whole rate might go up if I made a claim, but I did it with the worst case scenario in mind (camera bag being stolen on vacation, for example). Renters insurance, maybe? If you have an insurance agent for other types of insurance I'd give them a call. I'm sure they'll have some ideas for you.

[BabetteKD]

Every electronic I buy over $200 goes under my family's homeowner insurance ever since my laptop and extrenal were stolen from my car.

[jprime84]

Car insurance is all I have, but I have a good agent so I will have to ask.

[t blanchard]

This isn't really related to photography - but I would recommend renter's insurance. It's not really that expensive - I think I paid something like $50 per year for basic coverage. That way all of your stuff is protected in case of a fire, theft, etc. At least worth checking into!

[jprime84]

Originally Posted by t blanchard

This isn't really related to photography - but I would recommend renter's insurance. It's not really that expensive - I think I paid something like $50 per year for basic coverage. That way all of your stuff is protected in case of a fire, theft, etc. At least worth checking into!

What are the odds on it covering my stuff if I drop it in a lake?

[idcrewdawg]

Originally Posted by jprime84

What are the odds on it covering my stuff if I drop it in a lake?

Depends on the company. Mine is USAA, and I had them specifically list the gear. Pretty much anything happens that is outside of wear and tear (stolen, dropped in a lake, eaten by the dog) it is covered. My insurance company calls it Valuable Property Insurance. $1200 cost $24.00 annually.

Here are the things not covered for me. And no, I don't own a home (I love item number 7, it made me laugh).

We do not cover loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by any o f the following. Such loss is excluded regardless of any other cause or event contributing concurrently or in any sequence to the loss.

1. Loss, theft or damage, arising out of any act committed:
a. by or at the direction of any insured;
and
b. with the intent to cause loss or damage.
2. Neglect of any insured to use all reasonable means to save and preserve the property at and after the time of loss.
3. Any repairing, adjusting, servicing or maintenance operation, restoration, refinishing, renovation, or retouching.
4. Mechanical or electrical breakdown or failure.
5. Wear and tear, deterioration, inherent vice or defect.
6. Microbial organisms, including but not limited to mold, mold spores, fungus, bacterium, parasitic microorganisms and wet or dry rot.
7. War, including undeclared war, civil war, insurrection, rebellion, revolution, war like act by a military force or military personnel, destruction or seizure or use for a military purpose, including any consequence of any of these.
Discharge of a nuclear weapon shall be deemed a warlike act even if accidental.
8. Nuclear reaction, radiation or radioactive contamination, whether controlled or uncontrolled, however caused. Nor is any consequence o f these covered. Loss caused by these shall not be considered loss caused by fire, explosion or smoke.
But we do cover direct loss by fire resulting from nuclear reaction, nuclear radiation, or radioactive contamination.
9. Shipment o f property by mail. However, we do cover shipment by registered mail or any other traceable delivery method.

[eth3rton]

State Farm has a Personal Article Insurance policy. I'm planing on getting it for my gear real soon. Will run me about $1.32/hundred. Should be about $225ish for me per year.

[jprime84]

I called my agent that I got my car insurance with (Liberty Mutual) and now I am setup with renter's insurance. All my stuff is covered worldwide up to $15,000 - which was enough for me. Cost me about $86 per year.

So now an orca can eat my camera bag with my $2000 or so of gear and all I have to worry about paying is a $250 deductible.