Posted by Jerry Gowins on August 17, 2006 at 8:30 PM
My insurance company (Farmer's) informed me that because I have a website with the INTENT of selling my photos that I am a pro and am not covered under my homeowners policy. They said I'd have to take out a business policy that is expensive.
Who do you folks insure you're camera gear with? I was always under the impression that I could get a rider for my gear, but I guess that is not the case anymore.
Thanks!
Jerry
Posted by Curtis Knight on August 17, 2006 at 8:36 PM
I found out a couple weeks ago that although the gear is covered for the same problems as anything else in the house, they won't write a rider for "all risk". So I'm looking for another insurer.
Posted by Mearle Gates on August 17, 2006 at 9:12 PM
A few years back when I was out with my 4X5 camera taking photos on a very steep hillside one of my lens decided to jump out of my unzipped day pack and roll down the hill bouncing from rock to rock before plunking into a briskly flowing creek. I never saw it again. I went to my State Farm agent, and based on my word alone, received coverage under my home policy to the tune of nearly $1000, the cost of replacing that lens. I was impressed, to say the least.
Posted by Tomas Kaspar on August 17, 2006 at 9:14 PM
I don't insure. Waste of the money at the end they will find a way out of it anyway, or they give you part of the current market value (which is so low after few years) and etc. For me it is not worth it.
Posted by Ned Fenimore on August 17, 2006 at 9:18 PM
Yep - had Farmers for many years and they won't cover.. I lost $2500 worth and had to eat it. I'd say your best bet is the insurance available with NANPA - absolutely no-fault coverage, but it is a little spendy..
Posted by Randy Hanna on August 17, 2006 at 9:49 PM
The true def of a professional photographer (from the IRS publication on profession income) is one who generates their "primary" income from photography. The state of WA also have simular wording on the books concerning taxation of equipment. Not many of us on this site fall into this category, but there are some. I would challenge your insurance company to show your their "definitions", and "determinations for liabilitiy limits" to you in writting. Sometimes things change when you get their opinions in writing from the home office. If you get something from them, write them back and cite the "primary income" reference.
In my case, I have USAA and have a full coverage rider on most of my critical equipment, just like some other things that are covered in other categories. I've had stuff stolen from a car before, flooded two underwater cameras, and one underwater 15mm lense. They have always covered the loss with little or no documentation. In one case they wanted the Nik V body, so I sent it to them - still wet. That was my first claim, and they have never ask since. My losses, compaired to coverage, have also been limited.
I have recently looked into the insurance options open to Nikon owners via Nikonians. It is also all risk, regardless of your status. In this case, there is an upper cap of $20,000 total coverage. Fine for me, may not be for others. I insure because I can't afford to replace everything on a whim. I also know that bad things happen to good people and that also is why I insure. I have not done any amortization over the years - I might not want to know how that turns out. I do a fair amount of long distant travel, again, another reason for coverage.
I must tell you that I always wondered how my insurance company would react to a call from me, while in Baghdad, saying that sand had damaged my camera.
Call or write if you need additional information.
Randy
Posted by Mark Windom on August 17, 2006 at 11:44 PM
I took out an Inland Marine Policy thru State Farm. Most homeowners policies will not cover your gear if you claim any income. Tomas, you might be interested in knowing that my policy is for full replacement value.
With both Nancy & I each schlepping a full kit of gear over hill n dale in search of that mighty immortal image we decided to talk to our State Farm agent and took out a sperate rider for all our gear. It is ALL covered for replacement cost whether we sell images or not. So far even though we've each had a couple close calls ( OK so only "I" have had few close calls...cough cough) we have not had to test this but it sure makes schlepping through hill n dale just that much less stressful.
If you are a member of NANPA they have an excellent coverage plan too.
Discussion
7 repliesWho do you folks insure you're camera gear with? I was always under the impression that I could get a rider for my gear, but I guess that is not the case anymore.
Thanks!
Jerry
In my case, I have USAA and have a full coverage rider on most of my critical equipment, just like some other things that are covered in other categories. I've had stuff stolen from a car before, flooded two underwater cameras, and one underwater 15mm lense. They have always covered the loss with little or no documentation. In one case they wanted the Nik V body, so I sent it to them - still wet. That was my first claim, and they have never ask since. My losses, compaired to coverage, have also been limited.
I have recently looked into the insurance options open to Nikon owners via Nikonians. It is also all risk, regardless of your status. In this case, there is an upper cap of $20,000 total coverage. Fine for me, may not be for others. I insure because I can't afford to replace everything on a whim. I also know that bad things happen to good people and that also is why I insure. I have not done any amortization over the years - I might not want to know how that turns out. I do a fair amount of long distant travel, again, another reason for coverage.
I must tell you that I always wondered how my insurance company would react to a call from me, while in Baghdad, saying that sand had damaged my camera.
Call or write if you need additional information.
Randy
If you are a member of NANPA they have an excellent coverage plan too.