My experience is insurance companies and banks are great at accepting your money, but really stink when it comes to giving your money back.
Photography Equipment Insurance Options (retitled discussion)
- Thread starter Hooligans Imagery
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Discovered a new option but have not investigated it fully. First post updated.
Hill&Usher
www.packagechoice.com
Hill&Usher
Home | PackageChoice Insurance
Introducing Package Choice Photographer’s Insurance Package Choice is a comprehensive, multi-insurance carrier program administered by Hill & Usher Insurance & Surety. Since 1998, thousands of professional photographers and videographers throughout the United States have come to rely on the...
www.packagechoice.com
Camatose
Member
Any more on this? I discovered them yesterday and have started looking into it some, but can't find much on them in the way of past experience. I did read the policy you posted, thanks for that.
I shoot in professional environments but not as a professional photographer in the strict sense of the word, if that makes sense. I don't need business liability, just gear coverage. My HO policy won't cover damage from drops and spills or theft outside of the home.
Their policy for gear replacement seems fairly straightforward and I like the idea of not having to list every piece of gear. I believe your interpretation of point #2 in your post is correct. It means that if something is damaged you agree to minimize and protect from additional damage, it's meant to limit increased repair costs. Hower, I cannot find the 'newly acquired' provision you reference in point #1. It seems counterintuitive that one would have to report a new purchase when the policy maximum is based on a lump-sum. Can you point me to this? Perhaps it's in a section that doesn't apply to me and I just skimmed it.
Interested in hearing their response on these questions. Thanks!
It's just what they told me. And the date of purchase is what seems to drive it. What I would do is report a reduction in prior coverage and increase for new purchases. Honestly, the differences are so small in cost you might just do a reset each year upon renewal. Meaning just report new gear and if really big maybe adjust original coverage, but if not, upon renewal make sure your value is correct.
I would consider the Hill and Usher as well.
Camatose
Member
What I intend to do is to set my limit at the maximum amount of gear I would have out on a shoot at any given time. A catastrophic claim for my homeowner's would cover whatever is left behind in my absence. In the event everything is at home, then the homeowner's would cover up to whatever they approve, and the gear insurance will pick up the rest. I already have too much insurance cost including a $1M liability/umbrella policy, so anything I can do to cut premiums without risking coverage is welcomed.
I'll look into Hill and Usher, thanks.
I wish someone could post some anecdotal or empirical information on some of these companies. This is the third forum I've checked and so far nada.
I thought a few people mentioned claims but not with Hill or RVNA.
I think you should reconsider the approach of involving homeowners. If you do that you will then be rated and that cost will go up quite a bit. Focus just on this independent coverage.
Camatose
Member
Homeowner's won't cover damage from drops and spills when I'm in the field.
I checked into Hill (package), website says only professionals, you have to list a business type to apply.
According to RVNA, any alternate insurance pays first and they pick up the difference. Based on that it's irrelevant, the homeowner's policy will be involved regardless. And honestly, if the SHTF to that extend I'm going to have more problems to worry about than claiming $20K worth of gear.
I checked into Hill (package), website says only professionals, you have to list a business type to apply.
According to RVNA, any alternate insurance pays first and they pick up the difference. Based on that it's irrelevant, the homeowner's policy will be involved regardless. And honestly, if the SHTF to that extend I'm going to have more problems to worry about than claiming $20K worth of gear.
That's not what my policy says. Show me where you see that? IF that is true the policy is worthless.
Caution - there is likely an "electrical breakdown" exclusion that would exclude failure of a motherboard.
As several have said this type of insurance generally covers external damage and not internal failure - whether mechanical or electrical.
Camatose
Member
When you sign up for a quote it asks you what type of business you are, sole proprietorship, Limited Liability, etc. There is no choice for hobbyist or amateur. I was going to send them an email and ask, but they use only telephone, so I'll try them tomorrow. FWIW, a friend of mine who is a real pro (think Indy 500, Superbowl, etc.) advised me to contact them as well, so I'm going to follow through with him too. Also, it looks like their premium is at least twice the amount as RNVA, they start at $400 or $500 depending on the state.
Camatose
Member
I read the policy in its entirety and saw no such exclusion.
Well I did find a clause so I have emailed them asking for clarification. If that is true, this policy is worthless to me. I want to avoid my homeowners.
Camatose
Member
There's a choice when you sign up for 'hobbyist', in the very first box. But, it doesn't change any of the questions. They still want to know your business type, etc.
I keep looking at RVNA, it still looks like the best choice for me. Wish someone with some experience could chime in
I live in Europe (Spain). Does anyone know of a good insurer that also insures for non US residents? I will check PPA as an option but fear they may only cover US residents.
Post on the Z9 PRO Facebook group. I have seen insurance mentioned.
If you are right and it's secondary insurance; it's basically worthless if homeowners covers an item. I have asked for clarification.
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Camatose
Member
I don't think worthless. My homeowner's policy will cover incidental or what they consider 'normal' for a homeowner. Does that include an A7 IV, A1, etc. etc.? Doubtful. I would get them to pay whatever I can argue out of them and have this secondary company cover the rest.
I am never going to even get close to actual camera value without spending a lot of money on the premium. I have a collection of old film cameras, plus a handful of SLRs and some DSLRs, lenses, etc. In case of catastrophe, I would probably just consider those a loss if it comes down to choosing between them or my daily use stuff.
I have confirmed from RVNA this morning that the policy is secondary and would be a good policy where your homeowners completely excludes business use and you in fact have some business use. With even small sales one can do other steps to confirm a business. I will be confirming a policy like this will cover a deductible under your homeowners.
Camatose
Member
Absolutely not interested in confirming a business. I don't want a Tax ID number, DBA, and all the garbage that goes with it.
If you you are a member of Professional Photographers of America, equipment insurance is available via their PhotoCare and PhotoCare Plus offerings. The insurance is provided by Lockton Affinity and is available to hobbyists.
PhotoCare is provided with PPA membership and provides $15K ($350 deductible) for unscheduled equipment.
PhotoCare Plus provides insurance up to $100K ($250 deductible). It offers replacement value for loss of scheduled equipment, depreciated cash value for unscheduled equipment. Its cost begins at $175 annually.
Policy highlights available here:
This is covered as item 4 in my first post which I have been updating. Have you direct experience with claims from them?
I apologize @BarkingBeans Coffee, I didn’t recall your earlier post. I’ve not made any claims but a PPA member told me of his good claim experience with them. That’s why I got a policy.
I spoke to RNVA again this morning. Due to their unwillingness to answer questions about the interplay with my homeowners I will be cancelling.
Camatose
Member
That settles that then. I have approached my homeowner's carrier again for more details. I am also going to talk to Hill and Usher as well because of the recommendation I received but need to know more about non-pro coverage first.
FYI I am looking because I don't want a claim on my homeowners. You can try State Farm or if you qualify USAA but they aren't the least expensive.
Camatose
Member
I just got off the phone with Hill and Usher. They will provide insurance to an amateur, but still recommend some kind of liability. (ie: Junior is walking past your camera bag and trips over it, knocking out his front teeth on the sidewalk). They are stand alone and don't care if the gear is at home when it's stolen, it's still covered. They cover theft/breakage/fire/etc. If your camera bag is stolen from between your feet, as in the example given above, it is covered. If you hand your bag to some guy and ask him to hold it, and he takes off, it is not covered. It is covered in your vehicle even if the vehicle is not locked with a policy option. Sounds perfect until I get to the premium. $500/year for gear only, $650 for gear plus some liability.