Insuring Camera Gear

[Geoff]

I was just speaking to my preferred insurer (not so sure if that's the case now) and was getting a quote for contents insurance. I asked to cover all my camera gear in and out of the home. THey said if I used my camera equipment and made money from the use of my camera gear they would not cover it...it's not part of their policy.

So my question is, who do you guys insure you camera gear with outside the home?

[Kellogs]

I have insurance with AON - Cameramans Insurance Scheme. Check the link http://www.aon.com.au/small_medium_business/photographers.asp

[Geoff]

Thanks for that kellogs - they have public liability insurance too, nice! Looks like they might be the go. Just got off the phone from them.

[stubbsy]

My gear is insured and listed separately on my GIO contents policy (cost extra to have out of home cover, but worth it). They didn't ask if I made money from it.

[blacknstormy]

I've got the same kind of deal as Stubbsy seperate listing etc - but with Suncorp. In our line of work was an evil necessity - insured even if I drop it in the middle of a lake while trying to take photos of fish (or the lock ness monster

But even if we didn't do what we do, I would have insured - too much of an investment to throw away - and who takes photos only at home???????

Well ... thinking on that last comment, probably a few, but they would be shots we'd never see

Rel

[stubbsy]

but they would be shots we'd never see

Not so sure of that after looking at some of the recent self portrait posts.

[Zeeke]

Ive got my gear insured with RACQ as seperate items.. covered anywhere in Australia.. had to get it insured because i spend to much time around water..

(And id never would of tried underwater photography the other day unless there was possiby a brand new d70s waiting for me at the end of the line)

Tim

[padey]

I have insurance with AON - Cameramans Insurance Scheme. Check the link http://www.aon.com.au/small_medium_business/photographers.asp

I'm with these guys.

[Michael]

This will be very very handy, Thanks everyone!

[robw25]

hi guys
i am with alliance and when i got my 28-70 the other day i wanted to put it on the list and they told me i couldn't as they would only cover up to $25,000 so as i dont use the 70-200vr much i dropped that from the list, before i did that i took this pic hopefully as "proof" of ownership in case of fire or theft and will print it and put with the serial numbers list and hope they file it ! i am worried that comes a time when i make a claim and they say " show us the receits for the lenses " and i dont have them !!

cheers rob

[BBJ]

Rob, i had this problem with SGIC when i added the D2X as it was on my house and contents, i ended up having to up the cover on the house etc.. to cover all my gear and they have a list of s/n's. I also had to get a receipt to prove prrof of ownership of the D2x before they would cover it as well.

Oh and about bloody time you did that. Or is the D2x on the list??????? yet???

[robw25]

Oh and about bloody time you did that. Or is the D2x on the list??????? yet???

yes i got off my arse and done it !
i didn't show them proof of ownership ? but it's on the list so i hope it's covered

cheers rob

[byrt_001]

hi

been new to the country i still have no insured my equipment, thanks this will help me a lot. i will give a call to aon.

thanks

christian

[jerrysk8]

how do you provide proof of purchase if you bought second hand? could you use a paypal receipt?

[NikonUser]

I have insurance with AON - Cameramans Insurance Scheme. Check the link http://www.aon.com.au/small_medium_business/photographers.asp

Just emailed AON..

Around $550/yr for $15000 coverage in Aus and NZ.

I've definately thought about doing this for a while now so I can rest easy knowing my gear is covered. Will definately investigate further. Thanks for the link

Paul

[stubbsy]

I have insurance with AON - Cameramans Insurance Scheme. Check the link http://www.aon.com.au/small_medium_business/photographers.asp

Just emailed AON..

Around $550/yr for $15000 coverage in Aus and NZ.

I've definately thought about doing this for a while now so I can rest easy knowing my gear is covered. Will definately investigate further. Thanks for the link

Paul

I have $15,000 coverage for my gear with my GIO house contents (see above). It was less than $550 extra as far as I can recall (maybe in the $300-$400 range)

[padey]

You must keep in mind that where the equipment lives also impacts on yearly premium price.

[fozzie]

robw25 - very nice collection of lenses. Now you are only missing the AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

With my equipment over $1250 of value, it is listed separately on my Home Contents Insurance through CGU. The premium is approximately 3% of value of the goods and covered anywhere in Australia and Overseas for up to 90 calendar days. All I do is send an email to the broker with Policy #, description, serial no. and value of the good/s: no receipts required. The broker rings me the following day for CC details, and then sends out the amended Policy in the mail. How easy is that

hi guys
i am with alliance and when i got my 28-70 the other day i wanted to put it on the list and they told me i couldn't as they would only cover up to $25,000 so as i dont use the 70-200vr much i dropped that from the list, before i did that i took this pic hopefully as "proof" of ownership in case of fire or theft and will print it and put with the serial numbers list and hope they file it ! i am worried that comes a time when i make a claim and they say " show us the receits for the lenses " and i dont have them !!

cheers rob

[robw25]

robw25 - very nice collection of lenses. Now you are only missing the AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

it was on your advice i got the 28-70 ! remember ?

i can see why they call it the beast, it's built like a tank and weighs as much !!

cheers rob

[Alex]

What happens if you bought your equipment on ebay 2nd hand and there is no receipt?

Alex

[moz]

What happens if you bought your equipment on ebay 2nd hand and there is no receipt?

I've had everything from"just write down the serial number" to "I need to see the gear".

[birddog114]

What happens if you bought your equipment on ebay 2nd hand and there is no receipt?

Alex

Most insurers don't require receipt! Proof of ownership by providing photo and serial number as Rob did.

What happens if your house on fire and lost all?

I insure my gears for 50K, just photography gears and they never ask me a piece of paper of ownership, everytime I have a new item, I added on with a new photo and its serial number. That's!!!!

[robw25]

one more thing the girl at the insurance said was to keep a copy of the photo and serial numbers at a family members house in case of fire and you lose it !

cheers rob

[Alex]

What happens if you bought your equipment on ebay 2nd hand and there is no receipt?

Alex

Most insurers don't require receipt! Proof of ownership by providing photo and serial number as Rob did.

What happens if your house on fire and lost all?

I insure my gears for 50K, just photography gears and they never ask me a piece of paper of ownership, everytime I have a new item, I added on with a new photo and its serial number. That's!!!!

Thanks, Birddog. I will take photo of my equipment and list serial numbers.

ALex

[psionic]

one more thing the girl at the insurance said was to keep a copy of the photo and serial numbers at a family members house in case of fire and you lose it !

The other thing that will happen when and if you claim is a chartered loss adjuster will be brought in due to the value of the goods. Keep the manuals and the original boxes that the equipment came in in a safe place. Even those Nikon warrenty slips are useful in this case.

My wife and I had our house broken into and the *$@()*%$# stole $12,000 worth of computer gear, I couldn't produce all of the receipts but had all of the original boxes and packages, this sufficed as proof of ownership. Make sure you stand up for yourself and do not accept the tripe the loss adjuster will spin.

But everyone should produce a photo like Robw25 ! That is a very good idea and a neat solution to the problem. Oh and nice collection of lenses BTW !

/M.

[phillipb]

I've got a photo like that, actually it has even more equipment in it. I took it at the last mini meet at birddog's. Does it count?

[Geoff]

What an interesting thread this has turned out to be! Thanks everyone. I will be signing up with AON next pay and I'm happy to know now that I will also have public liability insurance, so for e.g if I am shooting a wedding and someone trips over my bag or something, I will be covered . Peace of mind means loads Have a good week end everyone!

[Slider]

I took the whole kit into the local RACQ and they read teh serial numbers off every piece which I thought was a good idea. Cost me around $100 extra on my Home and Contents policy.

Afterwards I had to have a double scotch and a lie down as it became apparent how much I had spent on camera gear

[fozzie]

robw25 - after borrowing my 17-55DX to do a wedding, I suggested that you have a look at the 28-70 in Sydney at Biddog's place in April. Did not expect you to order before leaving. Anyway Lorraine is good the the 17-35 or whatever lens or lenses you need, providing you make her breakfast on weekends

robw25 - very nice collection of lenses. Now you are only missing the AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

it was on your advice i got the 28-70 ! remember ?

i can see why they call it the beast, it's built like a tank and weighs as much !!

cheers rob

[moz]

Sheesh, insurance companies really hate people like me that are sharing a house with non-family members. I think I'm going to have to spend a long time on the phone to get quotes, the online stuff is all aimed at family groups and people who live alone.

My quick estimate: $10k in camera gear, $10k in bicycles, $10k in computers. Then they all want $10k or $20k in other junk, which i don't own but... and it's looking like $2k/pa or so from the one company that has an online quote that worked for me.

Which reminds me why I self-insure.

[jerrysk8]

hey moz, im in a similar situation. i live in a share house in an inner city suburb with over 10g's worth of camera gear. got quoted a crazy amount for insurance. so what i'm gonna do is insure it at my parents house who live over an hour away from the city in a very secure house in a low risk suburb. therefore insurance is much cheaper.

[rmp]

I'm with Aon too. Never had to claim, but so far so good.

I don't think anyone with a serious investment in camera gear (ie, users of this forum) is going to be adequately covered with generic household contents insurance.