Camera Insurance

[Photofarmer]

As you guys I damaged lens a serious scratch almost a chip.

Travel Insurance is covering it in full but had a call, more information required.

As it turned out the lady was a hobbyist photographer as well.

She asked did you have a UV filter or a lens hood at time of incident I said yes lens hood only.

Ah good you will be fine but time will come you may well need both or insurance may be refused or reduced or excess applied.
One could argue insurance companies always looking for a out.

Just passing on what she said.

Another side issue when I was getting quotes for travel insurance one would cover camera gear when I said I was tornado chasing "your better of getting specialised insurance" didnt realise they was such a thing and for 3 weeks unlikely maybe there's a blanket premium paid yearly covers all scenarios?

Never found myself in a situation where I thought gear maybe be stolen mostly rural and remote USA but its a real deal with storm chasers I know in Europe one guy got all his gear knocked off out of a van ducked into a bakery or cafe or something came back gear gone 6 or 7 minutes and reasonably touristy busy. Italy.
Knocked off a 5d and 1d only one big zoom left the rest like they knew what they were looking for.

 

[Photofarmer]

Oh PS I bought a $70 filter to put on 70/200 2.8 L straight away.
Of course whilst I was there "hey ya dont want to trade this today on a 70/200 Z seeing its brand new with front glass replaced" nah didnt give it a fleeting thought maybe I should have

Edit there logic ive bought all my gear there same store family operated since late seventies grandpa founder just retired daughter runs it now grandkids involved. Anyway they know I do equine 70/200 Z you can use 1.4 teleconverter you should consider it for equine little more reach required chuck on TC

You guys might think im a dill but guess I go to camera store once every two months maybe often for nothing there's 4 employees 5 on Saturday grandpa works but kinda nice when ya walk in "hey Peter how ya doing" 'ya want a coffee" and I live in the bush and on occasions they will ring with a deal in case ive not seen it on computer or email such as camera deal or lens deal often SD cards or a tripos getting run out or a bit of second stuff "hey Peter such and such has come in second hand giving you first crack"

 

[Bryan Conner]

Oh PS I bought a $70 filter to put on 70/200 2.8 L straight away.
Of course whilst I was there "hey ya dont want to trade this today on a 70/200 Z seeing its brand new with front glass replaced" nah didnt give it a fleeting thought maybe I should have

Edit there logic ive bought all my gear there same store family operated since late seventies grandpa founder just retired daughter runs it now grandkids involved. Anyway they know I do equine 70/200 Z you can use 1.4 teleconverter you should consider it for equine little more reach required chuck on TC

You guys might think im a dill but guess I go to camera store once every two months maybe often for nothing there's 4 employees 5 on Saturday grandpa works but kinda nice when ya walk in "hey Peter how ya doing" 'ya want a coffee" and I live in the bush and on occasions they will ring with a deal in case ive not seen it on computer or email such as camera deal or lens deal often SD cards or a tripos getting run out or a bit of second stuff "hey Peter such and such has come in second hand giving you first crack"

You are lucky. There isn't a dedicated camera store in my city any longer. We have a couple of electronics stores which have a small amount of gear, but the last time I asked a question, the employee only looked at the little info card next to the price on the shelf and then read it out loud only to finally say he didn't know and that it would be better for me to google it.

 

[MikeZ]

Peter's post made me think about insurance and what it covers and costs. My gear is currently insured through USAA (a rider on my home owner and auto plan) but I believe that coverage is for loss only (I do need to check). My wife and I do travel a bit and I never really thought about damage, mostly because I've never had an issue (and I hope that statement doesn't put a jinx on me). Does damage loss insurance makes sense, and where would you find it?

 

[TwoWheeler]

You guys might think im a dill but guess I go to camera store once every two months maybe often for nothing

I go to the local camera store once in a while for nothing, too…because they have nothing. They’re personable enough, but I think most of the merchandise dates back to the Nixon administration. They have a used EF 70-200 that I look at every time I go in - same lens, same display case…same price…perhaps another layer of dust.

The other camera store seems to stay in business in spite of itself. The lost my wife’s camera order and were completely unapologetic.

 

[Photofarmer]

we've got 4 stores in our main city.
random shots inside

 

[TwoWheeler]

we've got 4 stores in our main city.

I’d have to drive an hour and a half or so to find something like that.

We have one that’s a friendly but stale back corner of an appliance store and an apathetic one that seems to solely survive on passport photos.

I shop online guilt-free.

 

[Woodbadger]

Until recently I lived in Austin, TX. We were blessed to have Precision Camera. Since moving to Savannah GA we have found ourselves to be in a photo-retail desert. I have yet to locate a photography store within 3 hours!!!!

 

[THXGEEK]

Peter's post made me think about insurance and what it covers and costs. My gear is currently insured through USAA (a rider on my home owner and auto plan) but I believe that coverage is for loss only (I do need to check). My wife and I do travel a bit and I never really thought about damage, mostly because I've never had an issue (and I hope that statement doesn't put a jinx on me). Does damage loss insurance makes sense, and where would you find it?

I have received a quote from my State Farm agent for my gear via their 'personal articles' policy. Ballpark guesstimate was $15/annually per $1000 of coverage. So an R5II would be roughly $60/year. This includes theft, loss or damage (including self-inflicted stupidity).

I have reached out to Full Frame Insurance, and they seem to have the basics (including liability for professional photographers - which I do not need) BUT their deductible is $250 AND they don't cover theft/loss if your gear is in a car or trailer. This is a showstopper for me as I plan many car-based road trips when I retire. I sent them an email with some follow-up questions and received an immediate reply from their AI response system. It was remarkably responsive, and did not answer my specific questions. I don't know whether to be really impressed or really insulted.

As always, YMMV.