Is a protection plan worth it?

[mburke]

Hello everyone. This is my first ever post on this forum, but I've been going through a ton of the information on here over the past few weeks because I'm planning on buying a HMC150.

I'm going to order it form B&H, who offer a three or five year protection plan, and I was wondering if you all thought it was worth it to invest in one of these since the camera already comes with the three year warranty. I tried looking for information on what's covered under Panasonic's warranty, but I had trouble finding much.

So I was wondering what Panasonic's warranty already covered as far as malfunctions, accidental damage, etc., and if it's worth it to get a protection plan.

Thanks.

[Hidef1080]

That's kinda hard to say but I'm pretty sure that Panasonic only covers malfunctions on their end like lens wobble and such.


I always get it for my DSLR's but I never had to use it.
Well, one time I let someone use one of my cameras because I'd worked with him back in my studio days and he broke it.... So the coverage paid for itself in that case but outside that I've never had to use any of my other coverage plans.


If I did a number of “outside of controlled environment” type shoots or if other people operated or handled the camera I would get it or if not the B and H plan I would call my insurance company to see what's covered under my home owners policy.
If you have your own business you should have other insurance options as well that cover your camera/s and other equipment.


I don't know if that helps.......

[Thomas Lew]

panasonic has a wonderful warantee for it for stuff that aint ur fault pretty much

[Tim_E_D]

You can insure your camera and related equipment under you homeowners or renters insurance under what's called a PAF (Personal Articles Floater) or a VPP (Valuable Personal Property) policy for about the same cost or possibly less. Basically this is a rider under the main renters or homeowners policy which covers specific items for specific amounts of money. The policies are typically "All Risk" meaning whatever you do to your camera (or related equipment) would be covered. I just purchased a 150 from B&H and about $1500 of other equipment (wireless mics, shotgun mic, bag, etc.) and insured it all, I pay about $8.00 a month. This is the way to go, let me know if you have questions.

[P2metoo]

HMC150 has 3years warrenties from Panasonic if you register the camera. Now if you drop it then Panasonic does not cover but everyting else they do.

[DaFireMedic]

You can insure your camera and related equipment under you homeowners or renters insurance under what's called a PAF (Personal Articles Floater) or a VPP (Valuable Personal Property) policy for about the same cost or possibly less. Basically this is a rider under the main renters or homeowners policy which covers specific items for specific amounts of money. The policies are typically "All Risk" meaning whatever you do to your camera (or related equipment) would be covered. I just purchased a 150 from B&H and about $1500 of other equipment (wireless mics, shotgun mic, bag, etc.) and insured it all, I pay about $8.00 a month. This is the way to go, let me know if you have questions.


The only thing that concerns me about something like this is that insurance companies around here have a nasty habit of raising your rates if you make even a small claim, or even worse putting you on the high risk list after a claim so that you have trouble getting homeowners insurance if you move to another home. There have been numerous articles in the local newspapers about this (not that they are to be completely trusted), although I've seen nothing about PAF's or VPP's being involved. But this would raise a concern about putting this on my homeowners insurance.