Posted by Tim Davies on November 12, 2007 at 12:11 PM
Hello all,
I feel it is important to share a recent insurance nightmare, in the hope others know what to watch out for. I encourage you to read on.
I took out full photographic insurance with PhotoGuard (Pavillion Insurance). 10 months later, £1500 worth of gear was stolen from my hostel room whilst in I was in Tanzania. All available safty measures were in place, and I was actually in the building. The lock was either picked, or a spare key was used - either way the door was certainly not kicked in!
I got a police report and did everything the insurance company asked of me. Once I got home and picked up the case they asked me to provide proof of damage to the door or lock. I told the truth - "there was none".
Wham! Claim rejected. I appealed. Appeal rejected. It transpired that they would only cover me if entry to the room was ' violent or forced'; this was written into the policy. Of course the policy did not say "we wont cover you if...". And apparently lock picking is not defined forced.
Fortunately my house insurance has covered me instead, and I am in the process of getting everything back. It just makes the blatant injustice it even more apparent.
It may be worth re-reading your insurance policy.
Regards,
Tim
Posted by Tim Munsey on November 12, 2007 at 12:34 PM
Hi Tim,
Thanks for the heads up. Terrific collection of pics on your website, did you have a face like your frontpage baboon on the phone to your ins company?
I like your style.
Tim
Posted by Dave Sewell on November 12, 2007 at 2:07 PM
Interesting tale Tim, thanks for sharing that. I am always terrified of theft when I take my kit abroad - you just never know who's got their eye on you.
As an aside your website has some super African images and that Baboon is a stunner!
All best,
Dave
Posted by Peter Barritt on November 12, 2007 at 2:17 PM
yet another something useful I gleaned from UKNP. I have recently stumped up for insurance with http://www.gloverhowe.co.uk and they seem very helpful. My household insurance that had previously insured me wouldn't cover me when I mentioned I was earning a few bob from photographic sales (possibly a slight understatement ) even the specialist photographic companies have strict rules where they won't cover kit e.g. left overnight in boot of car etc. Worth reading the small print whatever cover you have. Anyone selling photos may well not get any money from household policies.
Generally you need to keep kit with you at all times including at night. most african thieves don't wander round national parks in the dark because of the wildlife. The less time you spend in African cities the better. Nairobbery in Kenya is notorious.
I was shocked by the exercise of valuing all my gear, mostly bought secondhand.
Hope this helps. Peter
Discussion
3 repliesI feel it is important to share a recent insurance nightmare, in the hope others know what to watch out for. I encourage you to read on.
I took out full photographic insurance with PhotoGuard (Pavillion Insurance). 10 months later, £1500 worth of gear was stolen from my hostel room whilst in I was in Tanzania. All available safty measures were in place, and I was actually in the building. The lock was either picked, or a spare key was used - either way the door was certainly not kicked in!
I got a police report and did everything the insurance company asked of me. Once I got home and picked up the case they asked me to provide proof of damage to the door or lock. I told the truth - "there was none".
Wham! Claim rejected. I appealed. Appeal rejected. It transpired that they would only cover me if entry to the room was ' violent or forced'; this was written into the policy. Of course the policy did not say "we wont cover you if...". And apparently lock picking is not defined forced.
Fortunately my house insurance has covered me instead, and I am in the process of getting everything back. It just makes the blatant injustice it even more apparent.
It may be worth re-reading your insurance policy.
Regards,
Tim
Thanks for the heads up. Terrific collection of pics on your website, did you have a face like your frontpage baboon on the phone to your ins company?
I like your style.
Tim
As an aside your website has some super African images and that Baboon is a stunner!
All best,
Dave
Generally you need to keep kit with you at all times including at night. most african thieves don't wander round national parks in the dark because of the wildlife. The less time you spend in African cities the better. Nairobbery in Kenya is notorious.
I was shocked by the exercise of valuing all my gear, mostly bought secondhand.
Hope this helps. Peter