The Insurance Topic

ian lucero

ian lucero

Well-known member
I'm not sure if this is the right thread to place this in or maybe it should go in Cafe? Anyway I found a good article that talks about getting insurance for 'photo' equipment. Even though not quite the same gear, same smell. So for those wondering about Insuring their video gear, this might be a good place to start.

http://www.photo.net/learn/insurance

If there are other sites, articles, or names of insurance companies that people have used and are satisfied or hate for some reason, maybe I can compile a list of insurance info, if you send it my way via this topic or email. Also indicate if what country the company resides.

EDIT
Here's a list of companies that we've found so far:

http://www.maginnis-ins.com/our_products.asp  (US)
They seem to cover everything and have a couple pretty good equipment coveage plans. Check Out: All-Risk Equipment Plan, All-Risk Photography Insurance Plan, and Equipment Insurance Plan

http://www.photoguard.co.uk/ (UK)
Found this one off of the Lonely Planet website. I haven't heard any stories or reviews on this place so if anyone has, let me know and I'll post it under this URL here.
 
Re: The Insurance Topic


i was REALLY worried about getting insurance on my dvx-100 and related equipment so i called my regular insurance guy...

i have a rider on my homeowners insurance spefically listing everything from my dvx-100a to my porta brace bags and every little thing.

the bulk of the listing is a folder full of b&h and evsonline receipts.

i am insured for everything, theft and even straight out stupidity like dropping the camera.

the catch was it is "non commercial use" which isn't a problem for me but if it were a problem (i asked) he said he can write a renters type policy which would cover commercial use. he said the only difference is a small difference in the premium. the coverage would be identical.

the policy i have is written through travelers.

i'm not an insurance expert, just sharing my experience.

matthew
 
Re: The Insurance Topic

[quote author=matthewd5 link=board=nws;num=1096915773;start=0#1 date=10/04/04 at 17:31:37]

the policy i have is written through travelers.

i'm not an insurance expert, just sharing my experience.

matthew[/quote]

That's exactly what I'm trying to find more info on, as far as insurance goes. Your experience and company. So the name of the company was "Travelers"?? or do you mean it is travelers insurance? If you have a specific name of a company and even a link to the site that would help in compiling something. I don't know how important this kind of topic if for anybody.

Would it be worth my time to do this? I'm willing to if there are going to be people into it. I guess I won't know until more people check this thread out.

Thanks fo the info matthewd5
 
Re: The Insurance Topic

ian, you should be able to get the camera listed on your homeowners insurance. if you do not own a home, get renter's insurance from agent you get your car insurance from. there's usually a nice discount when you get both coverages.
 
Re: The Insurance Topic

[quote author=Frizzle Fry link=board=nws;num=1096915773;start=0#3 date=10/05/04 at 08:25:18]ian, you should be able to get the camera listed on your homeowners insurance. if you do not own a home, get renter's insurance from agent you get your car insurance from. there's usually a nice discount when you get both coverages.[/quote]

I will definitely check with my renters insurance but I don't think the coverage is as thorough or as good as a place that insures for travel. I will check though. I may be wrong. I should have mentioned this in the original post, that I'm going on a trip for a month and would like to find insurance that covers outside your home. I'm aware that some renters policies do cover outside the apartment but I've found some that don't cover up to say a $4000 video camera for some reason.

Will check.
 
Re: The Insurance Topic

Hope you're covered-that would save you some trouble. Let us know how it turns out.
 
Re: The Insurance Topic

I have the DVX covered on my home insurance.
It covers everywhere in the world, and I am not paying much.
 
Re: The Insurance Topic

yeah, call your insurance guy and make sure it is covered if you a) drop it at home and b) if it gets stolen. if it is non-commercial only then just don´t mention the "commercial use"! so if it gets stolen you were "just" shooting along and if you drop it on set just say it happened at home. maybe not all legal, but my insurance guy always comes up with these ideas himself. after all he knows i will not pay any insurance anymore if i never get anything back.

a REAL insurance for equipment during professional use is very expensive, because insurances rate "camerawork" as high risk jobs. i have an accident insurance which pays a certain amount of money for every day  i lose when ill or after breaking a leg or such. BUT as a cameraman this insurance does not cover the first week of illness or injury, because it is a highrisk job and you need to be prepared to be injured for up to 7 days!! is this ridiculous or what? but then again we do lots of skimovies and stuff, so actually it is risky at times and we charge extra whenver we are filming with skis or ride skidoos etc......

for those who are out a lot there is one interesting insurance though: you pay a yearly rate as a baserate (but not cheap) and then you fax them a notice everytime to go and shoot. for those days you pay something like $ 5 and then on those days you are fully covered even in professional use. we had that once when we did 2nd unit for columbia-tristar and they had this setup. everyday we went out we faxed them a notice and everything was covered. Columbia-Tristar payed the baserate. the insurance is called AGRIPPINA and is from switzerland i think.....
 
Re: The Insurance Topic

So gave my insurance company a call (Farmers Insurance) and turns out my policy cover all my property, anywhere in the world I go, up to $30,000 and I only pay $15.00 a month. Awesome!

I was thinking it wasn't gonna cover that much. The one thing the insurance agent asked me right away was, "Are you using it for business?" Of course I'm gonna say no. Actually I thought to myself about it for a second, and actually I'm not going for business.

I would still like to put together a list of insurance companies though.

thanks for all the responses feel free to add to this as I'd still like to find out more info, much like that last posters', about isurance that covers just for a part of the time - or short-term type insurance company.
 
Re: The Insurance Topic

if it is non-commercial only then just don´t mention the "commercial use"! so if it gets stolen you were "just" shooting along and if you drop it on set just say it happened at home.
Click to expand...
Not only is this insurance fraud, but it's also just plain stupid IMO. You can guarantee that any insurance company who's going to be paying out on thousands of dollars in coverage is going to do an investigation to see if the claim is legit. You're a fool to think an investigator isn't going to suspect that your $30k in video, lighting and sound equipment is for professional use and will try to get out of paying your claim. alpi69, keep in mind your "insurance guy" just wants to sell the coverage. He's not gonna be around when you make a claim.

Why lie, risk paying out monthly premiums that will never cover your equipment ... not to mention litigation, fines and jail time?

Also, it's my understanding that even if you do have personal coverage on professional equipment, it will not be covered if damaged when used for personal reasons because it's techinically professional gear.

I'd very much like to hear recommendations on professional insurance carriers/plans that offer coverage for gear as well as liability on set.
 
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