Gear Insurance Claims

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Ross
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Hi everyone, I know there are already numerous threads on insurance in general, but respectfully I am only seeking the advice of forum members who HAVE had to make a claim for lost/damaged/stolen gear, or know someone who has.

Premium prices are a factor when deciding insurance company but obviously the most important thing for me is how fair and efficient any given insurance company will be if I need to claim.

I am an amateur (looking to start selling my work from next spring onwards), own around 4K of kit and as I live with my parents I do not have my own house contents insurance policy. I am currently insured with photoguard but as my renewal is up I want to make sure I'm with the fairest insurer.

Thanks in advance for any help.
 
Ross you should be able to include it in your mum and dads contents insurance. Get your mum or dad to phone their insurance company and ask what they will charge and what it covers.

I covered my gear under my house contents insurance under a 'New for Old' policy and when my D300's with a Nikon 70-200 2.8 VRI was knocked out of my hands, fell to the floor and came apart it was replaced with a brand new D300's and because they couldn't get hold of a VRI they sent me a VRII....result.

It only takes a phone call mate and it only cost me an extra £60 a year for up to £10,000 and a maximum claim of £3000 per item.
 
Thanks Martin, that sounds like good advice which could save me lots of money :-) Have other people had similarly good experiences with claiming on contents insurance policies?

I'll give my parents' insurers a call this week to see what they can cover and how much it would cost.
 
No probs Ross, I just hate seeing people getting ripped off. Hope you get it sorted. :thumbs:
 
I tried to claim for a dropped camera on my contents insurance, only to be told it was only covered whilst inside my house. I have claimed for gear on other contents insurance packages successfully though. So read the small print.
 
canonlad said:
I tried to claim for a dropped camera on my contents insurance, only to be told it was only covered whilst inside my house. I have claimed for gear on other contents insurance packages successfully though. So read the small print.
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It's the same with a lot of this kind of stuff unfortunately. It has been for years.
 
I made a claim with imaging insurance.
It was painless and fast. The cheque arrived within 5 days. I only had to produce a quote from Nikon for a repair.
I've stayed with them since.

Kev.
 
Glover and Howe. I had a claim whereby I broke both my 20d and 40d at same time. No issues with them they handled it straight away hastle free! Would def recommend.

They also didnt have any charges when I changed my kit mid policy.
 
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Contents insurance normally covers goods while they are in/at the property, so your photographic gear will be insured against loss by fire, burglary or damage (accidental). You need to look at Householders All Risks for extended cover outside the property, typically for sports gear, photographic equipment, binoculars, watches, jewellery, clothing and that sort of thing. You will probably have to declare individual items over a specified replacement value, but this varies from one insurer to another. Make sure you have proof of purchase/ownership, in case you have to claim for a theft/loss. This may not be mandatory, but makes things easier. Receipts are ideal, but details of serial numbers and photographs of the gear will usually be sufficient.
 
If you go with house insurance make sure the company also interpret "single item" in the same way as any other member of the human race. They might be inclined to say "camera gear" = "single item" and hence over the single item limit you think you're fine with.
 
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I use a company called E&L (equine and livestock) yep so not a special photographic insurer. However you list your kit along with each items value. You also get 10m public liability which you should have if you are working in public!

That is really important if you ever want to be paid for photography at any point.

I pay about £6 per month. This covers about 7k of kit.

I have claimed once, very quick process and had a cheque in less than a week.
 
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No, I've never used them. Do a search on the forum and you'll find loads of bad vibes about them :(
 
Hutchison Haines said:
I use a company called E&L (equine and livestock) yep so not a special photographic insurer. However you list your kit along with each items value. You also get 10m public liability which you should have if you are working in public!

That is really important if you ever want to be paid for photography at any point.

I pay about £6 per month. This covers about 7k of kit.

I have claimed once, very quick process and had a cheque in less than a week.
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I think you've misread what you have HH, E&L give £1m. Most give £2m as standard with some of the other giving options to increase to £5m or some give £5m as standard. But none give £10m as standard. I know some can find the extra if needed but I would magine that's gonna cost a bit.:thinking:
 
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