Insuring myself/Gear as a freelance Cameraman

cousinavi7

cousinavi7

Well-known member
Hi guys,

Not sure if this was covered before, but I have questions about insuring my gear. I work freelance as a camera man. Production companies will hire me and my kit to shoot as cameraman/DP for various small budget commercial/web shoots.

My rig is about $5,000 (and growing... hahah). What would be an easy way to get my stuff covered? I'm also in film school and do shoots with that. I'd rather use my gear than the schools, but am worried that if something broke while on a school shoot (even though I'd be there) It wouldn't be covered.

Any thoughts? Definitely need the poor student cheapest route. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!!
 
cmon! Someone out there must insure their gear! I know you all don't go out shooting with uninsured gear!! Any tips or do's and don'ts !
 
When I started shooting weddings on my own, my ex-boss told me that having insurance was as important as having a camera to shoot. He told me, "You'd better have your butt covered and have liability insurance!"

The liability insurance I got as a result of that conversation covered $1 million general liability and I think up to $5000 (maybe more) for my equipment. I lived in Colorado but went back to Hawaii to shoot a wedding and the resort there asked me to sign a paper saying that I had liability insurance. So with this, you're covered wherever you go.

It sounds like it would cost a lot, but it really wasn't. It was something like $300 per year. I think that is probably what you're talking about.
 
I have used this company for years:

http://www.tcpinsurance.com/

You need to be careful not to have this liability or theft/damage tied to your homeowners policy. Many agents will write that policy, but then if you have a claim, they will say that it only covers personal gear not professional equipment.

I am a member of sportsshooter.com and many of the other members (who have claim experience with them) have said they do an excellent job.
 
DO NOT go with low budget insurance companies, you'll never collect on a claim.

My recomendation is to go with a broker who uses Fireman's fund. Try Dewitt Stern or Momentous Insurance Brokerage, Inc.

Typical policy is about $350 per year for $10,000 worth a gear with $500 deductable.
 
I was living in Colorado Springs but moved to the DC area now. I was using State Farm there on N. Union Blvd. They had different payment plans as well, so you could even get something like $20/mo. Definitely worth looking into. Good luck!!
 
I called up my State Farm, but they said they didn't do that sort of thing...is this a regional issue or did you actually pare it with your homeowners/renters insurance?
 
I'm also looking into insuring my gear. Especially when I travel.

Has anyone had any luck finding any more info?
 
thekeygun said:
I'm also looking into insuring my gear. Especially when I travel.

Has anyone had any luck finding any more info?
Click to expand...

When your gear is in transit or on location what you need is called "Inland Marine Coverage." Really, it seems weird but that's what it is. Its name goes back to the days where transport of commercial goods was by river barge and it covers items used in your professional vocation when they're away from your home base.
 
This is an older thread but wanted to update. I had been with Dewitt Stern for the past 2 years. On friday I received an email at 4:55 pm informing me my insurance would be switched over to "Athos Insurance", which is only based in southern california. I live in NY and the Bay area. Its been done already without my permission or any notice. Really unhappy with the way Dewitt Stern LA handled this. I'm going to try and get my policy transferred to Dewitt Stern NY, and make sure they wouldn't switch my insurance without my written consent.
 
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