USA Insurance company for FS700 package?

G

Gene Sung

Veteran
I just realized that after I get my FS700 (fingers crossed for tomorrow), I will have almost $30K worth of camera gear (including bodies, lenses, lighting, grip).

I was wondering what insurance companies (I live in the USA) you guys would recommend? I would need a professional policy, not a homeowners type deal since that's kind of sketchy.

Also, do you guys insure everything? I was thinking of just insuring the major stuff that is easily stolen inside a backpack/case like bodies, lenses and filters; and not insuring my grip gear since that stuff is harder to steal and less desirable, to save a few bucks.

I would go through State Farm which is a really great insurance company, but I had to file a claim 1 1/2 years ago when my 7D backpack got swiped while filming a doc. in Peru. So I cannot go through them anymore :( I learned a very hard lesson and am super, super careful and paranoid now.

So yes, if you guys could recommend a good insurance company besides State Farm, I would greatly appreciate any guidance.
 
I'm interested in this also, alogn with camera gear I have a good amount of music gear I'd like covered too O.O
 
Kraut69 said:
So you have one claim and then you can't do business with State Farm anymore?
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Unfortunately, you can't get coverage from them for 3 years. But in their defense, they were really easy to deal with covered my losses fully. Like I said, hard lesson to learn so now I keep all my camera stuff in a large, gun safe (no guns, only camera stuff) and I use a cable lock to my Lowepro Gear Bag when on un-secured locations.
 
gene_can_sing said:
Unfortunately, you can't get coverage from them for 3 years. But in their defense, they were really easy to deal with covered my losses fully. Like I said, hard lesson to learn so now I keep all my camera stuff in a large, gun safe (no guns, only camera stuff) and I use a cable lock to my Lowepro Gear Bag when on un-secured locations.
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Was it because you were shooting a doc maybe? A lot of times policies on your homeowners for camera gear only covers things like wedding videography - I have a policy with State Farm for my gear and as far as I'm aware they don't cover higher-end productions - fortunately the only claim I've had to make was when I dropped a lens and needed some repair work - but I think sometimes they will not cover things like docs and films.
 
I'm not exactly sure Nick, they never were clear on the reason and I didn't really ask. But it was a fairly substantial claim as I got a body and several L lenses stolen. That's probably why because it was a pricey claim :( I was also overseas, so not sure if that had something to do with it.
 
I think the total insured was at $10K, but not everything was stolen so they cashed me out at $6K or so, which was the value of the items stolen.

I think I was paying about $350 a year for $10K of insurance. I would highly recommend State Farm, except I can't insure with them anymore. They are a really good insurance company.
 
I interfaced through a local broker specializing in business insurance. They set me up with Hannover coverage, and for just a few extra bucks (literally) I have someone I know on a personal basis handling any questions, additions, or claims. I also priced out a big national company claiming to offer coverage to artistic professionals like us, but when it came down to it, they didnt know how (or wouldnt) insure rental gear, which is a must. Cost seems consistent at around $350 per $10,000 of equipment coverage along with 2,000,000 liability. You can also get professional liability for when that big project gets erased from your hard drive, but it was considerably more expensive, somewhere around $2,000 for $1,000,000 I think. Hope that helps.
 
I recently (literally 1 week ago) started a policy with Hill & Usher's Package Choice program, underwritten by the Hartford. I have $11k of equipment, $1 million in liability covering injury against the general public AND property (most insurance only covers people), $10k in personal property damage, $10k in medical expenses, data-backup recovery, unlimited underwriting and proof of insurance PDFs (if a catering hall wants to be under your policy for a wedding), and everything else you can think of for $1100 a year.
 
I use Dewitt + Stern for all my equipment. I travel quite a bit and my gear is covered with me wherever I go. They have been a great insurance company to work with.
 
Homeowners insurance excludes business coverage. If you are doing work professionally (ie. getting paid) don't count on your insurance to pay-up.
 
We have $75,000.00 equipment $2,000,000.00 liability, $350,000.00 Studio and shop (camera gear manufacturing) insurance. This runs $2,500.00/yr through our local broker the underwriter is MMG. The production trailer and truck insurance is not part of this. But it does include renters insurance.

When shooting in Mexico we add a rider, be careful if you travel abroad not all countries are covered and it is better to know before you go, instead of finding out when you have a problem. Read the entire policy very carefully.
 
gene_can_sing said:
Hey Olof, that sounds like a pretty good price. What company are you using for Insurance?
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I use our local agent and Peerless is the insurance Co, underwriter is MMG.

We also insure our cars and home with this agent here in NH, and we have been using the same agent for 20 years. She shops around for us, a few years ago I think Merchants was the best price but now it is Peerless. We always remind her to check pricing with every renewal.

We have had about 4-5 claims in the last 10 years but this does not seem to affect price. The last time was when I dropped a XF305 and broke the lens, a few months ago. I have had a couple MBP's replaced as well.
 
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