New_Zealand
Veteran
Not sure where to post this so figure I would start here. Anyone insure their camera gear?
Thanks,
Thanks,
Gear insurances?
- Thread starter New_Zealand
- Start date
Run&Gun
Veteran
Short answer: F*** YES!
Unless the only thing you own is a 5D, you're insane if you don't. This was just broached in another topic in the Canon C forum. All it takes is ONE theft or accident/loss and you are done. Not to mention liability/errors & omission coverage, as well. I had a theft about 11 years ago, not even involving a camera and it was probably between $40K-$60K. Just lighting, grip and some audio.
jamedia.uk
Well-known member
Absolutely!!!!!
However the most important part is:
Some one trips over your tripod, lights etc and get hurt or your kit fails/ gets stolen during a shoot and you get sued for not capturing some expensive or one off footage.....
never mind the loss of kit: public liability and professional indemnity insurance is a MUST!
GHKAM
Well-known member
fyi...regarding accidents, I understand a basic part of camera-specific insurance to be that they only honor a claim if the accident occurred while in use/powered on while shooting.
If you file a claim and state that, for example, you were carrying your camera in a backpack and the camera fell out and tumbled to the ground - that likely will not be covered.
Some apartment/homeowner's insurance can cover the things you own for theft or accident, without having to buy camera-specific insurance at a camera shop. In the US, for example, State Farm is one such insurer. If you already have insurance for apartment/home check your policy terms.
jamedia.uk
Well-known member
How does that help with public liability? The cost of the camera kit is peanuts in comparison to that.
GHKAM
Well-known member
Ok... you may have a point.
I'm just conveying that some rental/homeowner's insurance cover things you own, including electronics. If you're already paying insurance like that, it may be covered. If you make a claim that it happened outside of the home (in public), that would have to be reviewed from the policy terms/I can't say.
Apartment insurance can be less than $20/month. But may/may not cover accidents for secondary things/depending on policy.
But I believe what I'm saying about "powered on and in use" would apply for a valid claim, either way.
Another thing is that many of the camera insurance companies are very scammy. The legal terms are typically worded in such a way that they could probably get out of paying you/when referring to the terms. I think Square Trade In US might be the most trustworthy.
But YMMV...Check out this review for Smart Guard on Amazon...
1.0 out of 5 stars
Misleading Coverage
ByD. R.on November 6, 2013
Service plan term: 4 Year|Service plan covered value: $300-350|Verified Purchase
Amazon listed this as "accidental & spill" damage protection, however the contract explicitly states that water damage of any kind (along with a very, very long list of other things that void the protection) voids the protection plan. In fact, the coverage is worded in such a way that pretty much everything voids the protection program...
The rest of the text (scroll down to first review): https://www.amazon.com/SmartGuard-4...8-1&keywords=camera+insurance#customerReviews
Might be best to find a major insurer willing to insure a camera, other than these type of electronics insurers.
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jamedia.uk
Well-known member
Well it depends on the sort of insurance you have. Mine is for professional photographers and videographers. Not a home owners "electronics" so it is in use, carried, stored etc.
It includes 5 million GBP PL cover for trackside at car race tracks. Ie where the marshals are for things like F1 races.
Normally it is only 2 million PL cover.
It includes 5 million GBP PL cover for trackside at car race tracks. Ie where the marshals are for things like F1 races.
Normally it is only 2 million PL cover.
GHKAM
Well-known member
Didn't mean to go off on such a tangent. Your type of insurance sounds ideal.
jamedia.uk
Well-known member
Obviously mine is UK based https://www.towergateinsurance.co.uk/photography-insurance
Alternative that is also quite popular in the UK
http://www.aaduki.com
I am sure that either or both will be able to recommend suitable cover or people providing it in your location.
KarlSutton
Well-known member
Do you need liability & omissions coverage if you are not a content creator? What if you're just shooting & delivering raw footage?
Run&Gun
Veteran
I think we are talking about two different things. I'm not talking about accidental damage/warranty coverage. I'm talking about REAL insurance. Business Insurance. A camera having to be "ON" or "In Use" to be covered has zero to do with real insurance. That's like saying my car had to be running for my vehicle insurance to cover any type of accident or damage.
Now if the OP is talking about a small camera for personal use, that's a different matter.
Run&Gun
Veteran
Yes.