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I was wondering what kind (if any) of insurance people had on their gear and how they had it, i.e on their home and contents or something different..I am about to look into it and thought this question could be answered in here. Thanks in advance,

Geoff.
http://www.pbase.com/d70geoff

Also very interested in the answer... I am thinking about doing this....

Since I still live with my parents, and they refuse to get contents insurance sighting high cost of premiums due to our undesireably postcode, I've got no coverage...

Even while I'm travelling here in the US, I didn't take a travel insurance policy like I had last year, cos most had insufficient coverage (max payout was like $1000 for camera, video camcorder, etc). Compounded with the potential high medical costs if I was to suffer an accident in this country, I realise most people would call me insane. PS. I just got back from a walk of the Hudson River Park at night, with camera in tow... (some claim it's unwise to walk around NYC at night, I'd say that's good advice).

Home contents insurance should cover you - check your policy and maybe declare the items upfronts with your company if needed. Also, keep all receipts, preferably away from your place of residence.

Onyx wrote:PS. I just got back from a walk of the Hudson River Park at night, with camera in tow... (some claim it's unwise to walk around NYC at night, I'd say that's good advice).

I can well remember my first visit to NYC. I arrived for a conference, landing at JFK on Halloween night, and bussed all the way into Manhattan. I was staying at the Marriott at Times Square, right in the middle of, well, everything.

It was a Saturday night to boot, and I decided that, having settled into my hotel room, 10:30 pm seemed like a great time to acquaint myself with the area.

I felt very aware of exactly where I was, and that it had a reputation for being a very dangerous place. After maybe a 45 minute walk, I returned to the hotel and caught up with some friends over a drink or three in the level 45 (or thereabouts) piano bar.

Actually that was quite an unreal week: it was 1992, and the following Tuesday was Election Day, bringing Hillary to power.

Oh sorry, I meant to say Bill.

I'm with AAMI Building and Home Contents.
1/In my home contents policy: say 1/2 mil. dollars for contents
I have to specify what items in the policy that I want to cover:
e.g Painting $50K, Jewelleries: 50K, Wine: 20K, photography equipment:60K, collectible items: 30K etc....
If my house burn down today or someone breaks-in, and stolen my gears then they will pay me the amount that I specified in a schedule of my Home contents policies for all my photography gears, of course I have to provide them with serial number, model, value etc...at the time I took out the policy. This cover will cover all accidental damaged to all my contents while they are at my home.
Otherwise the insurer will pay you the maximum in their policy as unspecified items. I think around $1500.00
2/ i also have additional cover for my gears on the road and travelling overseas (maximum 30 days/ period), this additional cover provides as the same with the content policy but for outside your home with the sum insured (theft, accidental damaged, broken, etc...) For this cover by itself I paid $1100.00 additional to my home building and contents policy. It's costly but it worth it with my experienced in French and Italy previously.
3/ Travel insurance is just for your travel and it's limited with sum insured per item.

I have it on my home and contents insurance. I called and added it when I bought the camera - it cost me $2150. My insurance will cover any accidents/theft etc. up to $2000 for any one item so I didn't bother specifying it in the insurance. I figured that I could replace it for under 2k if I needed to. This is Australia/NZ wide, not just in the home. I figure if I get to go overseas anytime soon, I will worry about it then!

Hi again,
As I'm about to embark on my trip to the UK for 4 weeks the thought of insuring my D70 & extras has become a real concern.
Can anyone recommend an aussie or Uk website that will handle $3000 worth of equipment, and what sort of price I should be paying?
I've tried google, I'm just unsure on some of the company reputations/risks as I dont want to be ripped off.
Thanks in advance guys!

I have taken out a separate policy with Westpac to cover my photography gear. It's a new for old type insurance, and covers if I am silly enough to drop the camera whilst climbing up a cliff etc. It costs me $70/month and I have a covered cost of $10000 at this stage.

The only thing you will need to clarify is whether your insurance covers your photography gear if you make money or use it for a business. My insurance does not cover me if I sell prints or make money from photography. If I ever get good enough to go down the money track with photography I will be taking out a photographer business insurance with Westpac.

Paul wrote:Hi again,
As I'm about to embark on my trip to the UK for 4 weeks the thought of insuring my D70 & extras has become a real concern.
Can anyone recommend an aussie or Uk website that will handle $3000 worth of equipment, and what sort of price I should be paying?
I've tried google, I'm just unsure on some of the company reputations/risks as I dont want to be ripped off.
Thanks in advance guys!

Paul, if you only want cover while you're away, travel insurance might work out best for you. For around $200-300 a month, it covers you for everything including luggage loss, medicals, etc. and you can specify extra cover for camera gear (most covers offer a modest $1k or so for cameras & electronics, hardly enough for DSLR owners).

I have mine listed as an extra item under my Home and Contents with Suncorp. So it's covered away from the home as well, accidental breakage and all of that. The policy doesn't state anything about a limit and I've insured it with the 70-300G for $2500.

Cheers
Brett

Onyx wrote: Paul, if you only want cover while you're away, travel insurance might work out best for you. For around $200-300 a month, it covers you for everything including luggage loss, medicals, etc. and you can specify extra cover for camera gear (most covers offer a modest $1k or so for cameras & electronics, hardly enough for DSLR owners).

Yeah thats what pushed me into thinking I needed better cover as a $1000 is just not enough if a thief takes a liking to my D70, I found this link on the Nikonians website, http://www.photoguard.co.uk/quote_digital_camera_insurance.asp
Which gave me a quote of 60 pounds to cover about $3500 of registered equipment.
Looks like a winner to me.

Paul,
It's better talk to your local Insurance Provider for your Home and Contents as specified items.
I'm with AAMI anf they provided me $80K cover for just my photographic equipments that I have at home, in transit, overseas, accidentally etc...

Your home content policy should cover most of your gear. You don't lump it all together for value, but rather each seperate item under $2000 or whatever the policy states. So the body, flash, and each lens should be covered under the policy. You will need to provide proof of ownership. receipts, serial no's etc. This only covers the gear when its at home.

I have home contents insurance through 'CGU'. Any item valued over $1250 is required to be listed separately on the home contents insurance policy. With the goods covered separately on the policy allows for loss anywhere in Australia. I am not likely to travel overseas. I have my lenses over $1250 listed, and have those under and accessories ie filters, battery charger etc. covered by a miscellaneous listing to the value of $5000.

Cheers,

Yeah I would have put all this gear onto my home & contents insurance but were renting at the girlfriends parents house and it's way too much hassle to get it added onto thier insurance policy.
Thanks for all the replies, I'll add my equipment to my own contents when we get back and move out again.

Paul,

Paul wrote:Yeah I would have put all this gear onto my home & contents insurance but were renting at the girlfriends parents house and it's way too much hassle to get it added onto thier insurance policy.
Thanks for all the replies, I'll add my equipment to my own contents when we get back and move out again.

There is probably no reason why you can not take out Contents Insurance while living under another person's roof. Check with your Insurance company, and at the same time check their policy and specified items such as photographic equipment. I would not leave it for another day, as xmas is almost upon us, so theft rate is going to increase.

G'day,

Interesting and timely thread topic, I was just speaking with my Insurance mob (RACV) earlier this moaning...

To cover insurance in the car etc. (not travelling, eg: going to the Zoo or something) 6k cover = about 170$/year

Travel insurance for 3k for 8 days = $49, 6k = $170 for 8 (eight) days

Home contents just wanted me to specify details (models, serial numbers etc.)

Hope it's helpful...

Cheers,
Mudder