Help! Need Pro's Advice on Warranties for Travel outside US

[jennyvive]

Help!

I have been holding off on purchasing a new Nikon d7000 because I can't quite figure out the best warranty for me. I will be leaving the US in 6 weeks to spend a year in Australia (travelling to other countries also), and I am running out of time to make the decision. Please feel free to comment, correct my list, or offer any advice you may have. I know travel photographers must deal with this all the time, I just have not found a straightforward resource spelling it out yet. This is what I have gathered so far from literature & discussions with sales people (which is why I need true input from photogs):

-If I call the US my home base - it is advised not to buy a gray market camera just to save a couple bucks, because I will have difficulty finding an authorized Nikon repairman that will fix it (even once the warranty is out)

-Purchasing the Camera in the US - (other than the exchange rate making a purchase abroad unfavorable) Apparently it is easier to find authorized nikon dealers outside of the country that will accept a US Nikons for repairs, however this does not work the other way around

-All Nikons come with a 1 year manufacturing warranty. I am told this will be valid outside of the US, however it will only cover manufacturing defects -- I believe there is also some headache associated with customs & mailing your equipment back to the US unaccompanied, etc. However from what I understand the cost for this is built into the camera price, so it is not an additional option.

-Ritz Camera ESL Warranty - should I decide to purchase from Wolf/Ritz - I could purchase this Expanded Service Policy Warranty which would cover all damage including negligence other than theft & fire - this will run me $230 for a one year & $440ish for a 2 year that includes unlimited cleanings (which i will not be able to take advantage of outside of the country). The salesman said I would be covered abroad & that they would transfer the repairs to a local authorized Nikon dealer in Australia. I don't know if this is true because I read the fine print of the warranty online which said Items NOT covered include "services rendered outside the 50 states & DC".

Other than that, I don't know where else to look. Please help! This is so confusing - there has to be an answer that is more black and white. I understand a couple extra hundred dollars is worth it to protect my investment - but I don't want to waste that money (that i have saved for a very long time for this trip) if I a) won't be covered outside the US or b) the trouble & time lost to make a claim will not be worth it. I am not a reckless person that destorys my things, but this is the largest purchase yet of my young life and I would like to be smart about it.

Thanks!

[sk66]

Forget the extra warranty and get insurance.
I've got ~ $20k coverage for about $200 annually. It's covered even if I forget it on a bus.

[jennyvive]

I didn't know it was so affordable!

Do you have any providers you reccomend getting a policy with? Are there companies that will carry international coverage?

[sk66]

I got mine as a rider to my homeowner's policy.... No recommendation for other carriers or anything.
My gear is covered against all forms of stupidity anywhere in the world.

[autofocus]

This may be an over simplified answer, but I'd say stop worrying about it. Buy the camera..Nikon will cover you for the year. The only suggestion I will make though is to ALWAYS take your camera in your carry on when flying...never in your luggage. I've heard too many stories of people putting their gear in their luggage only to find it missing when you arrive.

[RichardTaylor]

From Nikon (Australia): warranty info.

Nikon Australia

It appears you are fine with lenses (but not grey), but not bodies.

Re grey market stuff.
Nikon Australia | Digital SLR Cameras, COOLPIX Digital Compact Cameras, Lenses & more

No warranty, however they do offer fee based repair.

[jennyvive]

Thanks for the advice, everyone - as an update... I was heeding Autofocus' advice and just going to pull the trigger and walk over the Wolf Camera. Thankfully - Before I did I was notified that the model I have been dreaming about came back in stock at B&H, so I opted to go that route instead to avoid tax & shipping costs. I couldn't be more pleased with their service - the camera arrive within 2 days.

Additionally - I have a 30-day window to purchase B&H's extended warranty plan, which DOES cover repairs outside of the US and is $200 for 3 years of coverage, versus the $225 for 1 year of ESL coverage from Ritz. I agree that insurance would be an equally priced method to protect myself even if my camera is stolen (which it might be along my travels).... but for now, I have no home, and no homeowners policy to tack it on to. I don't plan on being rough or negligent with my new camera, but accidents happen and given that I have now slimmed my possessions to what I consider the brass tacks - it would be greatly missed if it was out of commission due to a repair I can't afford.

Final decision: I am planning to buy the ESL through B&H! Thank you for your help!