Insurance coverage for camera and video gear

[BWP]

Hello fellow photographers and adventure seekers.

I'm planning several photo/video trips to central and south america, plus one trip to East Africa and I'm wondering if anyone has some advice on a reputable/reliable insurance company for coverage of my gear both while travelling and while at home in Canada. I've had a bad experience with my current coverage (TD Insurance) so I'm seeking advice on the best companies to use for this kind of coverage.

Your help is appreciated,

Bruce

 

[JAJohnson]

Both NANPA and PPA offer insurance options as part of their membership. I’m not sure if either covers Canadian photographers but it’s worth a few clicks to investigate. In the US there are other insurance options which I’m sure others will discuss in reply to your question. Again, be aware that being in Canada may be an issue.

 

[ButlerKid]

There is an extensive discussion of insurance HERE....

Photography Equipment Insurance Options (retitled discussion)

EDIT - March 17,2024 This post has been updated many times so I added the date for reference. Shopping for insurance has been a challenge. This post reflects my experience. Some of the main reasons for this type of insurance is that it will cover things that other insurance would not cover...

bcgforums.com

 

[fulltimewanderer]

Have all of our gear insured with Philadelphia Insurance written through Hill and Usher (866) 977-4725. Pretty much covers everything and anything. One claim since we’ve been with them, wife dropped her D4 with a 300 2.8 and a 1.4 tc. Very easy to deal with. Paid complete cost of repair minus deductible, which is 10% of the cost of the repair.

 

[BWP]

There is an extensive discussion of insurance HERE....

Photography Equipment Insurance Options (retitled discussion)

EDIT - March 17,2024 This post has been updated many times so I added the date for reference. Shopping for insurance has been a challenge. This post reflects my experience. Some of the main reasons for this type of insurance is that it will cover things that other insurance would not cover...

bcgforums.com

Hi Karen, I read through the entire thread but unfortunately I don't think this will apply for me here in Canada. I'm going to reach out to some photo stores here in my home town to see if they have any suggestions, but thanks very much for the interesting and informative thread link. It certainly provided some useful points to keep in mind while searching for an insurance provider.

 

[Len Shepherd]

I'm going to reach out to some photo stores here in my home town to see if they have any suggestions,

I suggest this is likely to be a mistake.

While I do not know how specialist insurance is arranged in Canada, with several trips overseas presumably in a 12 month period or thereabouts you need very specialist insurance.

If you can find an insurance broker specialising in the type of cover you would like they can guide you through the different covers with different insurers.

If you "do it yourself" you need to know what type of cover you need, then you need to know what type of cover each insurance policy includes, to check the policy wording yourself, then perhaps more important you need to discuss your needs with someone who understands the risk you are undertaking. Probably less than one in 10,000 photographers will be doing all you plan to - meaning the average person selling insurance has no real clue of what might be involved

Information needed includes are you an amateur or professional, to what extent is your equipment left unattended, how will you travel, what sort of "hotels" will you be staying in, will you self drive, what is the value of your equipment, what sort of deductible are you prepared to accept, what claims have you had and do you need public liability or medical insurance?

If I was about to make a professional video with lighting etc or wanted a drone capable of carrying a Z9 and 70-200 the average sales assistant in a camera store would in my experience not be able to give good quality guidance.

 

[mathjak107]

we simply use the PPA insurance that comes with membership

 

[Hooligans Imagery]

we simply use the PPA insurance that comes with membership

You might want to read the first post of the thread and speak to them yourself. The interplay with other insurance is surprising and complex.

 

[Hooligans Imagery]

OP I have emailed the broker for the NANPA policy on whether they cover people living in countries outside the US, especially Canada. I will post back when she replies. She is usually pretty good about responding the same day.

 

[mathjak107]

You might want to read the first post of the thread and speak to them yourself. The interplay with other insurance is surprising and complex.

thanks

 

[Hooligans Imagery]

OP it's right on the NANPA website - open the drop down for Equipment Insurance.
Based on my experience in the US, I am guessing this is a good option.

Insurance - NANPA

nanpa.org

Front Row Insurance Brokers offers Canadian photographers a camera equipment program that is underwritten by Chubb. NANPA members receive a special discounted rate in all provinces except QC, ON, SK, NB (where financial regulations prohibit discounts on insurance products). The insurance program offers the advantage of online shopping with low rates, a low $350 deductible on equipment, flexible options and a policy in minutes. All equipment is full replacement cost coverage for theft, damage, fire and loss of use.
In most cases, there is no need to speak to a broker and an insurance company underwriter is not involved so the cost to process an insurance policy is much less online and we have passed the savings on in the form of a less expensive policy.
Please note that coverage under this program is only available for Canadian residents.

 

[EricBowles]

Be careful about relying on the free PPA insurance included with membership. I found that between the deductible and the extra deductible for dropped gear it was cheaper for me to pay for the repair myself. There are a number of caveats and exclusions. Also I believe the value is based on depreciated value, so a 4-5 year old items does not carry much value.

 

[Camatose]

You might want to read the first post of the thread and speak to them yourself. The interplay with other insurance is surprising and complex.

It actually couldn't be simpler. If it is covered by your homeowner's insurance, then they want you to use the HO first to the extent possible.

If your homeowner's insurance does not cover anything outside the home, and it happens outside the home, then there is no interplay at all.

If it happens in the home and it isn't covered, like a drop or accidental breakage, then again, there is no interplay.

If it happens in the home and is covered, then I would expect it was due to fire/theft/collapse. In that case the PPA would come into play to cover over and above the limits of your HO policy.

Also I believe the value is based on depreciated value, so a 4-5 year old items does not carry much value.

Not true. The coverage I chose was for $15,000. There is no cataloging or depreciation. They will cover up to that amount with receipts. I chose the smaller amount because I wouldn't have more than $15k of gear out of the house at one time.

I did a lot of looking and comparing and ended up the PPA insurance. It's not perfect, none of them are.

 

[BWP]

OP it's right on the NANPA website - open the drop down for Equipment Insurance.
Based on my experience in the US, I am guessing this is a good option.

Insurance - NANPA

nanpa.org

Front Row Insurance Brokers offers Canadian photographers a camera equipment program that is underwritten by Chubb. NANPA members receive a special discounted rate in all provinces except QC, ON, SK, NB (where financial regulations prohibit discounts on insurance products). The insurance program offers the advantage of online shopping with low rates, a low $350 deductible on equipment, flexible options and a policy in minutes. All equipment is full replacement cost coverage for theft, damage, fire and loss of use.
In most cases, there is no need to speak to a broker and an insurance company underwriter is not involved so the cost to process an insurance policy is much less online and we have passed the savings on in the form of a less expensive policy.
Please note that coverage under this program is only available for Canadian residents.

Thanks Michael, I'm giving them a call this morning! Great info.

 

[Hooligans Imagery]

It actually couldn't be simpler. If it is covered by your homeowner's insurance, then they want you to use the HO first to the extent possible.

If your homeowner's insurance does not cover anything outside the home, and it happens outside the home, then there is no interplay at all.

If it happens in the home and it isn't covered, like a drop or accidental breakage, then again, there is no interplay.

If it happens in the home and is covered, then I would expect it was due to fire/theft/collapse. In that case the PPA would come into play to cover over and above the limits of your HO policy.



Not true. The coverage I chose was for $15,000. There is no cataloging or depreciation. They will cover up to that amount with receipts. I chose the smaller amount because I wouldn't have more than $15k of gear out of the house at one time.

I did a lot of looking and comparing and ended up the PPA insurance. It's not perfect, none of them are.

The reason I mention it's complicated is the following:
For many they don't the limits and exclusions of their homeowners very well.
One can end up with he said/she said between carriers.
There are uncertainties - your homeowners deductible is 5,000, and the loss is covered but not paid. What does PPA do? Not clearly stated on how the interplay works.
These are some of the reasons, for most people I do not recommend them. You are comfortable with them and that's great. For most, zero interplay with their homeowners is preferred as the insurance market tightens up. I would not want to be making claims in FLA, AZ or other places right now.

 

[BWP]

The reason I mention it's complicated is the following:
For many they don't the limits and exclusions of their homeowners very well.
One can end up with he said/she said between carriers.
There are uncertainties - your homeowners deductible is 5,000, and the loss is covered but not paid. What does PPA do? Not clearly stated on how the interplay works.
These are some of the reasons, for most people I do not recommend them. You are comfortable with them and that's great. For most, zero interplay with their homeowners is preferred as the insurance market tightens up. I would not want to be making claims in FLA, AZ or other places right now.

Additionally, using your HO insurance as coverage will expose (pun intended) you to ever increasing rates, and occasionally they will drop you as a client if you have multiple claims. I know this first hand after having large items stolen from my yard on several occasions.

 

[Camatose]

Additionally, using your HO insurance as coverage will expose (pun intended) you to ever increasing rates, and occasionally they will drop you as a client if you have multiple claims. I know this first hand after having large items stolen from my yard on several occasions.

This is true, but we need to remember that unless your homeowner's insurance covers your gear outside the home/property, then there won't be any claim against it on a shoot anyway. Having checked with mine to be sure, my gear is only covered in the event it is stolen/damaged on the insured property. And if I'm making a claim against my homeowner's policy for my gear, the safe assumption is I have a catastrophic claim and there way more to it than just camera gear, so it's irrelevant.

The one thing not being mentioned is auto insurance. If you carry comprehensive (in Michigan, check your own location for coverages) then the auto insurance would come into play in case of fire/theft.

 

[Hooligans Imagery]

This is true, but we need to remember that unless your homeowner's insurance covers your gear outside the home/property, then there won't be any claim against it on a shoot anyway. Having checked with mine to be sure, my gear is only covered in the event it is stolen/damaged on the insured property. And if I'm making a claim against my homeowner's policy for my gear, the safe assumption is I have a catastrophic claim and there way more to it than just camera gear, so it's irrelevant.

The one thing not being mentioned is auto insurance. If you carry comprehensive (in Michigan, check your own location for coverages) then the auto insurance would come into play in case of fire/theft.

A good exercise for people would be to write down whether or not they think their homeowners insurance covers their personal property only at home or also outside the home. And then go find out the real answer.

 

[EricBowles]

Not true. The coverage I chose was for $15,000. There is no cataloging or depreciation. They will cover up to that amount with receipts. I chose the smaller amount because I wouldn't have more than $15k of gear out of the house at one time.

I did a lot of looking and comparing and ended up the PPA insurance. It's not perfect, none of them are.

Have you actually tried to get a claim paid? I have . My comments relate to my experience trying to have a claim paid. My actual repair cost was $475 and they had over $550 in deductibles without considering the insured value of the lens.

The policy may have changed, but the additional deductible on drops was in the fine print - not in anything you see. The maximum claim amount for an item was also limited.

I don't see any problem with having the insurance - but free insurance on anything normally comes with a lot of exclusions and high deductibles. Chubb is a good company, and the paid insurance is fine.

 

[Len Shepherd]

My comments relate to my experience trying to have a claim paid. My actual repair cost was $475 and they had over $550 in deductibles without considering the insured value of the lens.

The policy may have changed, but the additional deductible on drops was in the fine print - not in anything you see. The maximum claim amount for an item was also limited.

I don't see any problem with having the insurance - but free insurance on anything normally comes with a lot of exclusions and high deductibles. Chubb is a good company, and the paid insurance is fine.

As I said earlier in the thread, if you are going to "do it yourself" it can help to have the skill to accurately analyse a written contract running to several pages in length.
Relatively few have the expertise to do this to a good standard.

 

[Hooligans Imagery]

As I said earlier in the thread, if you are going to "do it yourself" it can help to have the skill to accurately analyse a written contract running to several pages in length.
Relatively few have the expertise to do this to a good standard.

The problem in the US is now many carriers make it really hard to get the language of the policy until you actually buy it. Two of the policies I bought I cancelled immediately and it wasn't a fun process. Sometimes I prefer the 70's.

 

[Len Shepherd]

The problem in the US is now many carriers make it really hard to get the language of the policy until you actually buy it. Sometimes I prefer the 70's.

In the UK and I would expect North America insurers include their policy wordings on their websites.
Expect
1/ A preamble - primarily who is who.
2 /An operative clause - primarily what cover is provided
3/ Conditions to be complied with prior to a claim
4/ Conditions to complied with after a claim

There will, once a policy is issued, be a schedule of the items covered by each specific policy.

 

[Hooligans Imagery]

In the UK and I would expect North America insurers include their policy wordings on their websites.
Expect
1/ A preamble - primarily who is who.
2 /An operative clause - primarily what cover is provided
3/ Conditions to be complied with prior to a claim
4/ Conditions to complied with after a claim

There will, once a policy is issued, be a schedule of the items covered by each specific policy.

I generally did not find policies on websites. I had to ask and a few provided. Some required a purchase to see the actually contract language.

 

[Len Shepherd]

Some required a purchase to see the actually contract language.

In the nicest possible way - if you cannot find out what cover is on offer - why proceed further.

Would you buy a camera body without knowing its specification until after you had bought it?

 

[Hooligans Imagery]

In the nicest possible way - if you cannot find out what cover is on offer - why proceed further.

Would you buy a camera body without knowing its specification until after you had bought it?

The description (not the contract language) suggested one thing and the details the other. If that's the way then that's the way - USAA is a reputable company- yet the only way to get the policy was to buy it. Yeah not fun.