Who has insurance for their camera gear?

[Digiphilic]

Just thought it would be interesting to know the percentage of members with or without camera gear insurance.

Is your camera equipment insured?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Never thought about it.

[ricktas]

Yes. It is no different to my car, house or contents, it has a value and and as such is insured.

[peterking]

Wouldn't let it out of the house if I didn't.
New gear got covered the day it arrived.
New iPhone turned up the other day and it and the tripod need to be added. Thanks for the reminder.
Re Rick. My camera gear is worth more than my car now!

[kingwheatie]

Yes and also public liability insurance for shooting motorsport.

[Chilli]

Yes, I insured mine too.

[amexav]

Mine is covered under my contents insurance, I have accidental breakage and loss coverage (Australia wide). I have been burnt by not being insured before, so now I go overboard with insurance.

[Wayne]

Yes, only because of the significant investment. If I had a couple of $thousand, I wouldn't likely bother, but when I sit down and add up what it all costs, it even surprised me how much I spent on this stuff.

Vehicles and my plane aside, it is my most expensive hobby by a mile.

[grw46]

Once bitten twice shy.:(:angry0::crzy:
Now have cover through home and contents.

[kiwi]

Yes, at aid


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[etherial]

I have added all my gear to my home and contents insurance under "specified portable valuables". Covers them for anything (well anything I can think off!) anywhere in the world.

[pgbphotographytas]

Mine is all insured as part of my home and contents insurance :th3:

[mercho]

I Don't but I should..

Have been thinking about it a lot lately, especially after Xenedis' thread!

[charton]

Yes! Just make sure you have it covered for as a 'portable' specific item in your contents insurance.

[Paul G]

Yes. Covered by my home and contents policy. But after the fiasco I've just been through with a car insurance claim I'm going back to read all the fine print and ask some more questions.

[Brodie]

Personally this is something i really need to look into. eek. Anyone that knows me might be shocked to know my stuff is not insured.

Is it worth starting a new thread or should we just all share who we actually have insurance with here.
And a rough idea of the cost and the amount insured.

[Chilli]

Brodie, i insured with RAC under my contents. I am insured for anywhere in Australia only.
loss, damage and (theft from home). From memory it cost approx $200 per year for me to insure $9,000.00 worth or gear.

[foodie]

So if people have their gear insured.
Where is the best place to go to get insurance?
Opinions?

[Peppe]

Yep as most above, insured with my home contents, accidental and away from home.
I can't afford to replace my gear if anything was to happen to it, be it my fault or not .

Pep

[kwokask]

Not yet, but will be adding to my home and contents policy during next renewal.

[snoopy]

I'm with vero via the boq and after reading what you wrote did a quick check and was greatly relieved.

[scpleta]

Sorry for being naive. How much does the premium costs for having the equipment insured. Say something worth $10,000?

[farmer_rob]

Not insured - my few bits and pieces aren't worth enough. (I have insured our horses in the past and have had two total loss claims - well worth the money, but the horses are worth far more than the camera gear :() We do have extensive insurance cover for our house and farm though.

[bigdazzler]

all my gear, along with my macbook, is listed on my contents insurance as transportable items. Im covered for anything, anywhere. I think Im paying an extra $100 or so a year for the privelege. In the event of a claim on one of the transportable items, the excess is $100 flat.

[Darvidanoar]

Yes and also public liability insurance for shooting motorsport.
Wow, that sounds like such a weird kind of insurance for a photographer to take out ... I could well understand the bikers taking out public liability. I suppose one of those big lenses would hurt if you swung around and hit someone on the side of the head :)

[kiwi]

Its quite common for especially pro photographers to take out public liability insurance. Imagine at a racetrack IF your lens cap falls off into the path or a car and it crashes into the crowd

Or at a pro rugby match a player trips over you and breaks a leg

Or at a wedding, your light stand at a church falls over. knocks a candle over and burns down the church

Ridiculous examples probably, butt you get the idea

In an increasingly litigious society it's worth thinking about

[Longshots]

not ridiculous at all - all someone has to do is to trip over you, or your bag, or something like that, and opps a daisy, a no win no fee solicitor will be taking your house away. To give you some sense of what companies such as Westfield make me and all subcontractors entering their shopping centres - $30 million (yep 30 Mill !) is the minimum I must have to enter their shopping centres with just my camera. Its the simple causes that can produce the most complex outcomes. Public Liability is an absolute must, if you are out there charging for photography.

Also if any of you are using your contents policy of your home insurance (and for some gear which never leaves my house, I have), and you charge for your photography (make note that I am not using the terminology of being in business), then make sure you have informed your insurer. You dont want to give them a get out clause from covering you properly - which you will have if you haven checked your fine print in their T&C.

And PS Kowksak - I seriously wouldnt wait to insure your gear - with that much listed in your signature, it wouldnt cost much to protect you from a very large replacement cost.

[rellik666]

Yup with my home insurer too....portable items cover....not worth not having it....covers accidental damage, total loss, theft etc.....cost about $150 for about $8000 worth of gear....shocking how quickly it adds up!

I am pretty sure that your home contents won't cover you if you sell your photos though...I think you need pro insurance.....

Roo

[chrisprendergast]

as a student dont think i can afford it at the moment alot of stuff for me to insure im sure it would cost to much

[kiwi]

baed on your investment, you're putting a lot at risk there Chris.

[Longshots]

Roo - yes your home insurance can cover some items (RACQ definitely does) - even if you're pro or sell. You do need to make sure they know your position though.

Chris are you kidding with the student excuse ? You have more up to date gear than many pros I know. Seriously with this much gear thats a very big risk.:



|Gear|Canon 5D MkII + Grip |Canon 580EXII x 3|Canon EF MP-E 65mm Macro |Canon EF 16-35mm F/2.8L |Canon EF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS |Canon EF 24-105mm F/4 L IS |Canon EF 100mm F/2.8 Macro |Canon EF 50mm F/1.8 MK II |Sekonic L-358 Lightmeter |Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod + 322RC2 Head |Manfrotto 628B Monopod | Wireless Remote Flash Trigger PT-04 CN & 5 Receivers| Plus Too Much More (Filters Ect)

More to the point, with that type of investment, can you afford not to insure ? To be honest, if you cant afford it, then sell one of the lenses and then get it ASAP. Over the years I've seen lives literally ruined by people having gear stolen, loss, fire etc, and all because they didnt cover the cost of the insurance. My very rough estimate of the replacement value of your gear would be approaching $20,000.

[kingwheatie]

I think the minimum PL insurance for motorsport is $10 million.
I have my gear insured through AON which have a "Cameramans insurance policy",
covers both gear and public liability together.

[kiwi]

Roo - yes your home insurance can cover some items (RACQ definitely does) - even if you're pro or sell. You do need to make sure they know your position though.

Chris are you kidding with the student excuse ? You have more up to date gear than many pros I know. Seriously with this much gear thats a very big risk.:


More to the point, with that type of investment, can you afford not to insure ? To be honest, if you cant afford it, then sell one of the lenses and then get it ASAP. Over the years I've seen lives literally ruined by people having gear stolen, loss, fire etc, and all because they didnt cover the cost of the insurance. My very rough estimate of the replacement value of your gear would be approaching $20,000.


Yeah, but I think id sell the lightmeter first:)

[bigdazzler]

as a student dont think i can afford it at the moment alot of stuff for me to insure im sure it would cost to much

seriously ?? If you can afford a few hundred bucks to protect it all, how did you afford it all in the first place ?? :confused013

[Digiphilic]

I did a quick online quote with Protecsure. Premium for $9500 worth of equipment is $406 p.a with $250 excess for each and every item claim.

Also called NRMA just now to see how much if I want to include the gears with contents policy. The extra premium is about $300 but excess per claim is $1000.

Protecsure sounds like a better deal here. Would you agree?

[mercho]

I did a quick online quote with Protecsure. Premium for $9500 worth of equipment is $406 p.a with $250 excess for each and every item claim.

Also called NRMA just now to see how much if I want to include the gears with contents policy. The extra premium is about $300 but excess per claim is $1000.

Protecsure sounds like a better deal here. Would you agree?

Excess sounds a bit rich for NRMA, you should be able to drop that down to around $300 and increase the payment a bit?

I have been looking into it as well, im going to go the line of Contents insurance with the "portable" option or what ever it is i think...

[bigdazzler]

Im with Allianz ... check them out. Costs me $1000 per year to insure my contents only (Im renting) for $95,000, including $12,500 for camera gear and macbook. Excess on a general claim is $250. Excess on a claim for one of the portable items (ie. camera stuff or macbook) is $100.

[Xevious]

My gear is insured with my home contents, I have specified all the individual photography items.

[etherial]

Mine is with RACV, and cost me about an extra $200 to insure gear to the value of about $9000.

Given you use it out and about in public areas and you often put your bag down and are often distracted, NOT having insurance is insane!

[mikew09]

Yep - Didn't until I bought my first descent glass and then when I did the sums of what I have in the bag I realised I could not afford to replace it. Covered under contents and external use for all including accidental damage.

Seemed silly to cart around 5 grands worth of gear and not have it covered.

[Darvidanoar]

Its quite common for especially pro photographers to take out public liability insurance. Imagine at a racetrack IF your lens cap falls off into the path or a car and it crashes into the crowd

Or at a pro rugby match a player trips over you and breaks a leg

Or at a wedding, your light stand at a church falls over. knocks a candle over and burns down the church

Ridiculous examples probably, butt you get the idea

In an increasingly litigious society it's worth thinking about

Thanks, Kiwi. Good explanation.

Next time I'm out out extreme sporting, I'll have to remember to look for a photographer to crash into if I get into trouble. That way I'll be covered LOL ;)

[Jeanette]

mine is also covered under normal contents.. rang and checked and covered up to $20,000.. if more then i have to be specific...
and sorry Chris even if you are a student can you afford not to if you have a lot of gear..
insurance is not as much as you think ... chase it up and under student insurance with uni's etc dont they help

[Erin]

Hell yes. Got it under my house insurance as portable valuables. So even if it's not at the house and it gets broken, I'm covered.

Oh, and Chris... I get the heebeegeebees looking at your list of gear and knowing it's not insured. You can get multipolicy discounts with a lot of insurance agencies. PLEASE look into it. So many people think it will never happen to them and inevitably, it probably will and when you least expect it.

[fairy bombs]

Very good thread to read,I have been pondering this for some time,and how to go about talking to insurance agent about it,it appears if I tell them I want 'specified portable valuables ' insurance on certain items,I can get something sorted,I would really like to do it properly,and have them have serial numbers discription of gear etc.

We spend over $200 a month on insurance,all our catering business,public liability, and house car etc are all together with the same mob,I do'nt mind spending a extra $30 a month for all this gear.I did talk to them once about it,something they said-coverage of 'accidental insurance',but sounds a bit vague,better get it sorted.

thanks for information

[amexav]

Just wanted to point out that if you use any of your gear for 'commercial' purposes, general cover under your home and contents might not be enough - I know I have a clause in my insurance policy that anything to do with a home business/commercial equipment isn't covered under our general home/contents policy.

[phild]

I have limited cover with my home insurance policy, as that's up for renewal I'm going to a better policy with more cover.

I found last year it's cheaper to shop around and find a policy that covers everything rather than have seperate house and gear insurance. A home policy I was offered last year covered any personal gear up to $14000, unspecified, anywhere in the country.

I stayed with my current insurer after being assured that I could buy that cover for around $40 as a seperate policy.

I should have known that a salesmans line is always a throwaway line the $40 turned out to be almost ten times that amount, they won't catch me out again this year.

[adilucca]

I've had bad experiences claiming from Insurance? I'm wondering how much hassle normal House and Contents insurance would give you if you claimed while the gear was out and about?

Also, are you saying you need Public Liability no matter who you are? If it's an issue of someone tripping over your gear at the footy etc, wouldn't you still be liable if they tripped over your esky or even your foot? Surely there has to be some sort of limit on what you are legally responsible for.

Cheers
Alan

[glenysj]

My house/contents insurance is with Suncorp. I upgraded to Platinum cover which covers my camera gear, including accidental damage.

[Xenedis]

Given what happened to me last week, I think I really need to investigate insurance for my gear.

[peterb666]

When I first got a SLR camera around 35 years ago, I took out 'all risks' insurance. This was while I was living with my parents. When I moved out, I have my camera gear insured as a portable item on a house contents policy. I had a break-in and all my gear was stolen as it was conviently packed in a camera bag.

I don't have all risks or 'portable' insurance now and haven't for the best part of 30 years. This may seem strange, but the only times I have ever had a threat to my gear was when it was in my house and it has been covered by insurance.

I have added up the cost of what it would have been over those years and I am ahead. I know there is a risk but I also know that electronic gear is rapidly replaced. It either breaks down or becomes obsolete too quickly. Not like the Nikon F body I had for 20 years and the Nikon FM and manual lenses I had for 30 years.

I will probably be foul if I lose something in the way Xenedis did, and I was only a 10 or 15 minutes from joining him from the spot where I was playing. I do take more risks now, but also have the luxury that I can effectively self-insure.

I would never do that for a car or if I earnt a living from my gear, but within the context of the life of equipment and the risks I have enountered so far, it has worked out for me.

Cheers

PeterB666

[kaiser]

Im with Allianz ... check them out. Costs me $1000 per year to insure my contents only (Im renting) for $95,000, including $12,500 for camera gear and macbook. Excess on a general claim is $250. Excess on a claim for one of the portable items (ie. camera stuff or macbook) is $100.

Hey Daz just be careful with this. Not sure what your policy is exactly but I am with Allianz for my home contents insurance as well and had all my photographic stuff and MacBook covered under specified personal effects.

I let them know that some of these items were being used for commercial use / the occasional paid job / whatever term you want to use....A week later I got a nice letter saying that at renewal time (June for me) these items would no longer be covered under the policy which is only meant for personal use items. I'm currently looking around for another quote, this time for business specific insurance - only quote I have got so far is from AAMI for $980p.a. for $15,000 specified effects cover and $5mil liability, $250 excess.

[Longshots]

Some specialised photographic insurance brokers/insurers (both offer discounts to AIPP members) :

Marsh Insurance - Public, products & professional liability insurance. Camera Equipment comprehensive Insurance. Contact 1300 438 970 or photographers.australia@marsh.com

The Professional Photographer’s Insurance Broker - Camera & equipment insurance, liability cover - 02 9525 6877.

[Xenedis]

Some specialised photographic insurance brokers/insurers (both offer discounts to AIPP members) :

These seem aimed at professionals.

I'm not sure whether or not they'd be appropriate (and charge accordingly) for hobbyists, or whether they'd cover hobbyists at all.

[Longshots]

The reason I posted them is that I know that they offer cover for photographers - pro or not.

[kingwheatie]

I've had bad experiences claiming from Insurance? I'm wondering how much hassle normal House and Contents insurance would give you if you claimed while the gear was out and about?

Also, are you saying you need Public Liability no matter who you are? If it's an issue of someone tripping over your gear at the footy etc, wouldn't you still be liable if they tripped over your esky or even your foot? Surely there has to be some sort of limit on what you are legally responsible for.

Cheers
Alan

I would say PL insurance is more for events and is often a requirement to be able to gain media access. To cover your and the event organizations @rse!!!:action5:

[Xenedis]

they offer cover for photographers - pro or not.

That's handy to know, but it wasn't clear from your earlier post.

IMO, it's worth clarifying.

[Longshots]

Public Liability Insurance protects you up to a stated limit if a third party sues you for personal injury, including death, or damage to property, as a result of an occurrence in connection with your business.

PL is not just for events, but should (if in business or undertaking a commercial enterprise) be held for everywhere and anything. And yes by doing the right thing, you are covering not only your own arse, but also everyone elses :)

[Longshots]

That's handy to know, but it wasn't clear from your earlier post.

IMO, it's worth clarifying.


Any reason I need to clarify ? I said that they offered photographic insurance. With respect you were guessing that they only offered to pros. You could also guess that they only speak french :)

I dont know everything about them so I cannot clarify everything about them or many of the other specialised insurers out there, of which these are just two contacts I suggested.

Btw I posted those two suggestions because some AP members had pointed out that some insurers would not offer cover photographic gear under home and contents if the equipment was being used in a commercial nature.

[Xenedis]

Any reason I need to clarify ?

Because it wasn't remotely clear whether those companies cater for hobbyists.


I said that they offered photographic insurance.

Given that some print labs only cater for pros, it's not a stretch to presume that some insurers may also do so.

It's also not a stretch to presume that insurance for photographers who make a living with their gear is going to generally be more costly than insurance for amateurs.



With respect you were guessing that they only offered to pros.

With respect, I didn't guess anything; I specifically stated that I was not sure.

Also with respect, the names of those insurers specifically mentioned either professionals or words that relate to professionals, and therefore imply that they cater for the professional market. There is nothing to indicate that they cater for hobbyists, which is why I raised the issue.



I dont know everything about them so I cannot clarify everything about them or many of the other specialised insurers out there, of which these are just two contacts I suggested.

No problem with that; I'm simply pointing out some ambiguities about which hobbyist photographers considering these insurers need to seek clarification.

[Longshots]

sorry you missed my humour.

Back to the topic of insurance - specialised insurers do cater for all. And I've never met a photographic lab yet that only caters to pros. I dont experience any issues about not catering for hobbyists in an areas of the photographic industry, with the exception of photographic associations. So, I'm sorry, I didnt see the need to clarify, as I've no knowledge of a differentiation in the photographic market :)

[mongo]

yes, for the more valuable bits in and out of the house through household contents insurance

[Bally]

Bout to find out how good mine is, the house was burged over the weekend.... Wish we put as much money into cops on the beat as speed cameras

[Redback51]

Of course...through the household insurance which also gives portability. Cheers :food04:

[Longshots]

Another tip - and maybe a bit late for Bally (crap news, hope it wasnt too much of a mess) - but as you have (one assumes by being on the forum) a camera, its worth photographing all of your house contents - even if you only do a shot of each side of each room to prove what was in there.

I've been burgled twice in my life, and each time I had to rely on pictures of things like two watches which had been stolen, to prove my claim.

So I now have a photographic record of all of my gear, as well as the usual serial numbers insurance listing; and I regularly update interior shots of every room in the house, including outside areas. The digital files are available onsite, as well as storing a copy in a safe place outside the house.

[Ethony]

Absolutely covered, through home and contents insurance. I am covered for theft, accidental damage etc anywhere in Australia and NZ. Which I am so thankful for considering my Sigma 10-20 f3.5 had a nasty fall and smashed on a Rock in Albany earlier this year. I would have cried for days if I had not had insurance.

My gear is to important not to be insured.

[Raven]

Yep all insured via my home and contents policy as specified portables :) There is no way I'd be able to replace my gear now unless I sold a kidney or a child.

[gordon_l34]

Hi All,
Yes mine is covered, although I had to list what is taken outside. It is even covered if I should drop it. Regards,
Gordon.

[Regnis]

yeah i'm covered through commonwealth bank, think it costs me $16 a month for about $3200 worth of gear. don't have house and contents as i'm only a student and renting

[amexav]

I have had to claim a couple of times through CGU with my policy (I broke our glass top outdoor table and my husband lost his wedding ring fishing) and they will require proof of ownership to process the claim. We used photos, but I have since started keeping receipts for household items and photos on a flash drive at my in-laws just in case.

I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised with the way our claims were handled and they were both processed within a few weeks of submitting the claim.

[Longshots]

This topic is also being discussed on another photography forum.

Similar issues where some people have their gear insured on their home and contents insurance policy, and then some who charge for their photography and then cant get their gear covered.

So I wrote to a couple of speciality insurance brokers (including my own professional photography insurance company).


This is their response below. I phoned them back and to ask them a question on the eligibility for the club policy, and they have agreed to offer discounted insurance to all AP Members, (which is what they offer to all camera club members - for their cameraclub policy).

Here is their response and all contact details:


Hi William,



We share the same thoughts. So much so we did something about it. Last month we released www.cameraclubinsurance.com.au



The policy is almost identical to that of the Professional’s Scheme.



Please encourage your friends to visit the site and they can obtain a quote from there. We would prefer them to be a member of a Photography club however, once we see how serious they are we will certainly try and help any Photography enthusiast.



As to your premium! Well I think you already know that you are getting the best deal available. All with a “world wide” cover.



We have our own stand at PMA Melbourne this year and we are sponsors of the “Commercial” sector awards. So if you are coming down please call into stand No. 187 for a chat.



Regards





Stewart

Stewart Maher
Dip. Fin Serv. (Brok).

Authorised Representative 261995

Managing Director

Professional Photographers

Insurance Brokers

A wholly owned subsidiary of

WSC Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd
PO Box 869 Caringbah NSW 1495
Phone: 02-95256877
Fax: 02-95262667

MOB: 0414 266216
email: stewart@wscbrokers.com.au
Web: www.photoinsurance.com.au

And please note that I have no interest in this company, other than insuring me for the past 5 years - and no I havent had to make a claim.

[peterb666]

And please note that I have no interest in this company, other than insuring me for the past 5 years - and no I havent had to make a claim.

I just put in a figure for a quote with http://www.cameraclubinsurance.com.au and was rather shocked by the premium that came back. It was more than twice as much as from www.protecsure.com.au.

I would suggest that people shop around and get multiple quotes.

[kiwi]

You have to check details to compare, for example do either or both policies include public liability ?
An excess ? Etc


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Longshots]

I just put in a figure for a quote with http://www.cameraclubinsurance.com.au and was rather shocked by the premium that came back. It was more than twice as much as from www.protecsure.com.au.

I would suggest that people shop around and get multiple quotes.


I didnt say they would be the cheapest. And of course shop around. I was simply offering a place where you could get specialised camera insurance.

On other forums people had stated that they had had great difficulty getting insurance if they were in the half way position of charging for their work, but not able to get pro cover.

And thats interesting that they were twice as much, because that is a significant difference. Wonder if you are being offered the same amount of cover with both - wise to check. For the record, they were significantly cheaper then AON who I use to be with under a pro photography pack - which covers me for my gear all over the world.

[kiwi]

...and a lot cheaper than AIC

[amexav]

as i'm only a student and renting

I would highly recommend getting a quote for contents only policies.

I have been renting for what feels like forever and had never bothered with insurance. Just over two years ago, I watched a house in my street burn down to the ground and thought to myself, 'I really should think about getting that contents insurance one day'.

Then we got broken into 3 days later. Our laptop, 2 month-old Sony Bravia LCD TV and digital P&S camera was stolen. The TV was being paid off interest free (first time I got credit for something other than a mobile phone!!)....so there went all our savings replacing everything, which was pretty brutal for us as we had just got married and had a 1yo. Also brutal is paying off a TV three months later that some criminal now has for free!

Needless to say, I am now insured up to the hilt, but you can still just get $10,000 worth of contents insurance if you are worried about costs.

[peterking]

Covered by Specified Valuables policy, Australia Wide with HBF in WA.
Had a notebook computer stolen a few years ago and learnt a very painful and expensive lesson. I was teaching at the time so had to replace the gear in a matter of days.
I also travel a bit and want all the gear covered at all times. I never leave the house without the camera, yes even if I'm just visiting a friend, so it's all covered.

[Captured Exposure]

I don't have it at the moment but have definately am going to get it after a few recent spashes of salt water on my lenses and camera.

[kiwi]

You are likely to find that insurance may not cover sea and salt damage, I know mine doesn't


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Xenedis]

You are likely to find that insurance may not cover sea and salt damage, I know mine doesn't

That's a big deal for me, as most of my work is seascapes.

[bricat]

amexav. Be careful if you only cover for a specific amount as you will only get a percentage of say$10000. for the loss of one or two items. ie if you have a $2000. camera (claim)but have $50000 worth of gear(household contents) to insure you won't get the full amount for your camera. Just be careful. cheers Brian

[Bally]

Two weeks post event, IE gear being stolen, I still haven't met the assessor, hope this doesn't reflect on the company as a whole. That task is actually outsourced interestingly enough

[stillie]

A timely article - I have just now insured my new equipment under portable cost additional $60pa.
Cheers
Alan

[Topcat]

Remember to read the fine print is the best advise I can give. There's a story on another site about a guy who left his D3 + 24mm lens on a park bench and when he returned 20 minutes later it was of course gone. He had insurance or so he thought! Almost all insurance policies state that there is only theft cover when force has been used to enter the place where the gear is stored i.e. home, work or vehicle. In fact sometimes the vehicle cover is only if the car is secure i.e. off the road in a garage etc. Some policies expressly deny theft cover even if you're mugged!!

[Bally]

Dear all,

As some of you may have seen, during in the discussion on here regarding "do you have insurance", I was burgled. Well I am happy to say that that has been resolved with my contents provider mentioned above, and that as yet the &%%##% that did it haven't been caught. Can I just say that it was a simple process and pain free, especially giving how violating the whole break-in itself is. Their people came, they looked, asked some simple questions, listened to my issues about some of the gear that was going to be hard to replace, and resolved it all in a manner that was satisfactory to all.

All in all, I am thankful that this is who I chose for coverage.

Cheers

[dche5390]

Now that I've settled on my gear, it's time for insurance.

[dieselpower]

Insured my camera and lenses the other day for theft, loss and accidental breakage anywhere in Australia and NZ. No specified insurance on accessories (cards, battery, bag, cheapo tripod etc), but was advised by the insurance company that because the individual value of each item is so low there's little point as they're covered under general policy and, I believe, still covered anywhere in the country.

[Indigo]

Yes, as part of home and contents as a portable valuable.
not sure but approx $100.00 per year, gives you peace of mind if anything
should happen.

Cheers
Indigo

[inmotion]

HI Just got a quote with two of the discussed insurers and my price was the reverse eg the CameraClub
was 1/2 of the other one.I noticed the premium is sensitive to the amount and state selected.
For me I will choose $19900 rather than just over $22000 at a saving of $100 per year.I am covered up to $10000 on householders but this is not enough and I think you may only be able to make one claim??
Any one had a claim with them as it can turn to poo if the are slow or dont pay??
cheers jim

[annainoz]

It's good to have threads like this. For the likes of Chris who has a heaps of uninsured gear, he might figure out how to afford contents insurance (if he reads the thread again). I loathe making payments for anything but when you have valuables, be it the $1000 lounge suite or your $200 mattress and bed, it's still worth insuring because come a time when there is a fire or burglary, you're stuffed if you don't insure. Sacrifice something so you can insure your gear :)

I don't have any gear but the seed has been planted so that when I get some gear, I will make sure it's added onto my contents insurance.

Mum said to me years and years ago 'if it's worth buying, it's worth insuring'. That was after a friends uninsured car was stolen.

Bally - that's a good outcome. I think we are with Allianz with the car insurance and CGU with house & contents.. and have been with both for like 10yrs now.

[junqbox]

All of the equipment I take out regularly (bad experience taught the toughest lesson). The LF stuff isn't but it's at least covered under H&C.

[H2OMotion]

That's a big deal for me, as most of my work is seascapes.
AON is certainly an insurance company to check out for covering any gear used in the water.
I have several lenses, 2 bodies and the housing itself covered. Haven't had to call on it as yet, but I do know of others that have and reported a good experience.

Be aware, if your using Contents Insurance or Car Insurance for covering your gear, read the fine print. It might surprise you what you "really" are covered for, and how much you'd get back if that "big" lens was stolen or damaged.

[RamblinR]

Mine is insured as part of my Home and Contents but had to list it all and give serial nos.

[bowjac]

Once I had all of my gear stolen. My old for new policy meant that I replaced all of my second hand gear for new....Awesome.

[jasevk]

Absolutely..... it's a brilliant peace of mind to know my stuff is insured for almost any kind of loss or damage. Wouldn't consider letting it lapse, not an option!

[rattle]

I bought my D90 kit a couple of weeks ago and got an extended warranty immediately and I can't believe I never considered insurance until I saw this thread.:o
Thanks for the discussion and I'll be ringing my insurer as well as taking video and pictures of my new items.

Top thread!:th3:

[ricktas]

I bought my D90 kit a couple of weeks ago and got an extended warranty immediately and I can't believe I never considered insurance until I saw this thread.:o
Thanks for the discussion and I'll be ringing my insurer as well as taking video and pictures of my new items.

Top thread!:th3:

Extended warranties are fairly useless, warranties protect you against manufacturing faults only.

[Mr Lensbaby]

Yes I have insurance for Australia and ALL O/S

.
Check you policy for what is and what isn't included if you take you camera
1 outside you house
2 outside you property
3 is it covered if stolen from you car when car is unattended
4 is it covered for just NZ or Europe??? some policies don't cover Asia or parts of Asia

Tip: 1 insure NEW for OLD not agreed value

2 List all camera gear with serial number + photos of each individual item. Take a photo of serial number and photo proof of purchase whether it was from a store ebay or second hand purchase.
Do this for EVERY item down to back up battery and memory cards, filters

Keep a copy of this list and send a copy to you insurance company and ask them to send you a email or letter stating that they received and accept the list

This may look like a lot of extra work and you may think I'm #### but after loosing all my camera equipment due to theft the Insurance company didn't have a leg to stand on after trying to refuse insurance on some items .

My list with photos , serial no ect ect was deemed as accepted contract between myself and insurer

Remember insurance company's are their to take you money not to give it back :)

[paullivo]

Yes. Added to home contents and specified each item and value.

[Longshots]

Just as an added suggestion.

One of those light bulb moments came to me a few years ago - and yes may be fairly obvious to anyone already doing this - yes I have a full listing of all my gear, but shoot it all :)

So I have a full photographic record of all my gear, which I also made into a webgallery and uploaded to my own site - so if all records of it are burnt down, or disputed, its available to actually see.

I also did the same to my own house - shooting all furniture and contents of each room (each room shot from 4 angles where possible). Highly recommend it :)

[etherial]

Yes I did that a while ago, I must do it again - thanks for the timely reminder.

[Psyentist]

I should get insurance but don't know that I can. Unless there's a policy that provides 5-6 months O/S coverage ...

[Wizofoz]

Yes, I have insurance, and am very glad I have.

Just before Christmas last year some low life broke into my vehicle stole my laptop and camera bag. My gear was all nominated (Only two weeks previously) under my house and contents policy, so the insurers coughed up for $10k worth of Pentax gear.

It even worked out to the good in some ways. The insurance supplier (Michael's) couldn't replace a couple of my more obscure (to them) lenses. So my 30yo 28mm f2.8 manual focus became a brand new 21mm DA* lens (oh, I guess that will be ok :D) , my 85mm 1.4 Samyung became a FA77mm F1.8 Limited (Gee, yeah ok, I guess I could live with that ;)) and my 18 -55 kit lens became a K-x with an 18-55 lens (apparently they couldn't find a lens alone):confused013.

It was a hassle and it took months to get everything replaced in entirety including filters, cases, bags, adapters, etc, etc, but in the end it worked out OK.

My advice is to keep a copy of all receipts, eBay transactions, etc and gear list with your insurance policy.

[kmaisch]

Yep, mine is insured as "specified items" as part of my Home/Contents insurance - so it's not actually that much to insure it for loss/damage.

[Boo53]

After reading of some problems experienced by someone on another (non photography) news group I thought, gees I better do something about that.

I now have cover through our home & contents policy

Unfortunately its cost me $17,000 for the first years cover

My wife is in the office today so asked her to arrange the cover. She put the girl from RACV on so I could detail the gear.

Judy was listening and realized I have bought a bit more gear than she realized (a Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 zoom and Sony Alpha550 body in the past month, etc; etc: ) She then visited the local Toyota, Holden & Mitsubishi dealers - within about a week we will have a cruze cdx apparently

John R

[Wizofoz]

After reading of some problems experienced by someone on another (non photography) news group I thought, gees I better do something about that.

I now have cover through our home & contents policy

Unfortunately its cost me $17,000 for the first years cover

My wife is in the office today so asked her to arrange the cover. She put the girl from RACV on so I could detail the gear.

Judy was listening and realized I have bought a bit more gear than she realized (a Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 zoom and Sony Alpha550 body in the past month, etc; etc: ) She then visited the local Toyota, Holden & Mitsubishi dealers - within about a week we will have a cruze cdx apparently

John R

Does the phrase 'payback is a B$$th' ring any bells John?? grin

[crystalflair]

Also if any of you are using your contents policy of your home insurance (and for some gear which never leaves my house, I have), and you charge for your photography (make note that I am not using the terminology of being in business), then make sure you have informed your insurer. You dont want to give them a get out clause from covering you properly - which you will have if you haven checked your fine print in their T&C.


I was going to query that, many seam to have added onto the home and contents, I have not done this as with a business ABN I didnt think it would work, I dont make a brass razoo out of photography at the moment but the intent is there.

[Wizofoz]

I was going to query that, many seam to have added onto the home and contents, I have not done this as with a business ABN I didnt think it would work, I dont make a brass razoo out of photography at the moment but the intent is there.

I'm not an insurance agent, so take anything I say with a large grain of salt, but it seems to me it would depend on who owns the camera gear. Do you own it personally (thus it can/would be covered by your H & C insurance) or by the ABN entity? (in which case you may need seperate business insurance)

[crystalflair]

As a sole trader it would be me Wizofoz, hmmm me thinkest a talk with an insurance broker may be the way to go hey ;)

[Pixley]

Thanks for this thread - I really have not thought about adding my camera gear (not that it is worth much at the moment) to my home and contents - will make some calls.

Interestingly, we were in Canberra when the bushfires hit and houses close to ours were burnt - that event spurred me into action taking photos of all our contents - should do it all again - thanks for the timely reminder all.

[41jas]

I know David...I will do it....One day! ;);)

[Bear Dale]

Yep all my gear is insured in and outside the home.

[theking]

Yes I have the gear cover under contents

[Boo53]

I should get insurance but don't know that I can. Unless there's a policy that provides 5-6 months O/S coverage ...

I'm sure you're getting travel insurance - talk to your broker, bound to be cover available

[darkmerlin]

Just added new Canon 7D and 70-200 f2.8 IS USM II (hasn't even been delivered yet) as itemized gear to my house and contents insurance policy.
$5000 value for $100/yr increase in premium. Basic excess is $100.
The cover is for personal use, accidental damage and theft inside and outside of the house and overseas (ie holiday not exceeding 30 days).

[brianward81]

I really need to get onto this. I don't want to be one of those "lucky" people who leave it till their equipment is destroyed before they have insurance. Just doing live music photography scares me when a big bikie guy pushes past me and my camera. They're not paid gigs and I can't risk my camera dying which would stop some extra money coming in.

[SimiA]

iv been wanting to get insurance for a while now.. has anybody had or heard of any experiences with http://www.photoinsurance.com.au/ ??
I dont want to use home and contents because i live with my g/f and her family so id rather personal coverage.
Thanks
Aaron

[ricktas]

photoinsurance have been around for quite a few years. As always, worth shopping around for a few quotes, and getting the policy docs so you can read the fine print, before signing up!

[Ratabago]

Currently covered with my house and contents insurance, and an additional accidental damage clause. But if I get much more stuff I'm going to have to take out separate insurance for the camera gear. :(

[sonofcoco]

I don't, but will be looking into it when I get home. Couldn't cope with losing everything and would never be able to buy it all again for quite a while.

[Othrelos]

I have all my equipment insured with a separate firm than my home and contents insurance, and my musical instruments are yet again insured with another company. I consider it to be essential especially since my pentax gear (the smallest system I currently have) is worth several thousand dollars.

[Cheryl A]

I too have my gear covered under my H&C Insurance with main items (body & lenses) specified with serial no's etc, but thank you to Mr Lensbaby and Longshots for their useful tips above of photographing all your gear. I was only thinking today of setting up a spreadsheet of everything down to memory cards, filters and even cleaning kits to see just exactly how much I have invested in my equipment. I'm in for a bit of a shock, I think :( I also now intend to read the fine print in my policy to ensure I'm covered for all contingencies. You can never be too careful, or cover your bases too much, when it comes to insurance. I also found the item regarding making money from your photos and the possible effect on your insurance, as opposed to having a photography business, very interesting. Something more to check out. Thanks everyone :th3:

[Tikira]

Ours is insured as an addition to our contents insurance. It is covered anywhere in Aus & NZ.

Wayne

[Irru]

I don't have my stuff covered yet - up until a week ago I'd been overseas for 18 months and things were covered under travel insurance. I'm going through a claim now, for a camera, wallet and phone stolen from my bag. I think it will be refused though as they will say the bag was 'unattended' (it was sitting on the grass behind me, I only unhooked it from my arm for about 10 seconds, but unfortunately the police report doesn't state that part). I may be lucky, we'll see.

Now I am back home, I'm looking around. I haven't chosen anything yet because it will be a few months before I move into my own place and have my own contents policy. Someone mentioned something through the Commonwealth bank - I'll look into that for the mean time. A specific camera gear policy isn't really an option unless they also cover laptop etc. It isn't just that multiple policies cost more - if everything in my backpack went I'd be making two claims, and have to pay two excesses.

I read through some older discussions on the topic on the Whirlpool forum though, and a number of people recommended GIO for contents/portables insurance, saying they had a good experience when making claims. Also, I've learned when dealing with AAMI in the past, if you get a better deal with someone else, call AAMI back and ask them why? It happened several years in a row with my car and the response was always "Oh sorry, I made a mistake looking at your situation, it's actually cheaper than I told you the first time."

[Bax]

I'm definitely going to look into insurance now as well. I've got home and contents, but unfortunately we voluntarily put the excess a bit higher.

As it happens, some opportunistic thieves saw an open door or unlocked window and took off with my camera bag. Fortunately the 40D and the 70-200, and the 580EXII were out of the bag. But it just sucks knowing that I need to replace some gear. Doubly sucks knowing the little mongrels were in the house, AND that they wouldn't have any use for the lenses.

[smallfooties]

I just got mine covered!
hehehe... cos it is worth more than my car now too!

[Bax]

So, for somebody that is looking at getting covered. What's the general consensus for the best route to go. I don't think RACQ would help me but I've emailed them anyway. How much are people paying and what is the excess.

Accidental breakage, theft etc.

[mechawombat]

mine is part of my contents like Tikira

[Bax]

I'll have to call RACQ to see if they'll cover it as portable equipment.

[crf529]

* removed : members with less than 50 posts cannot discuss commercial companies : see site rule 19*

Even when you know you don't own a lot of gear, not even prosumer or pro level gear, the insured/replacement value quickly adds up to a formidable number. if anyone's on the fence or doesn't yet have insurance, they need to sit down and add up the replacement cost of every item they own, it will most likely open your eyes as to how important it is!

[Dazz1]

My home insurance has an extra that covers photographic equipment (amongst many other things) both in and away from the home. Unspecified items up to $1000 are covered. Good.

However, if a camera bag full of gear gets stolen, what constitutes an "item" I wonder. Is a second telephoto lens a different item to the camera with original kit lens, or is everything in the bag one item?

I need to clarify this I think.

[calloyd]

I have a similar policy to yours (and have claimed successfully when I damaged my lens by dropping the camera) and was told by the insurance company that items that are bought separately would be claimable as separate items. So if you have a separate receipts each for camera body, lens, and other equipment then you can claim for each individually. I haven't had to test their theory yet though and hope I never have to!

[Dazz1]

I have a similar policy to yours (and have claimed successfully when I damaged my lens by dropping the camera) and was told by the insurance company that items that are bought separately would be claimable as separate items. So if you have a separate receipts each for camera body, lens, and other equipment then you can claim for each individually. I haven't had to test their theory yet though and hope I never have to!

Thanks for that. Yes, it's logical that it should work that way. It just occurred to me that an excess might apply to each item, so I should check that out too.