What amount of gear coverage was that for?
First post updated for all this new information.
Photography Equipment Insurance Options (retitled discussion)
- Thread starter Hooligans Imagery
- Start date
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First post updated for all this new information.
Camatose
Member
$18k.
For now since I have a trip coming up I am going with USAA. Personal coverage only, so no sales of your work. Everything is scheduled and has to be over $100 and they won't cover memory cards. No deductible.
$373 for 15,499 of coverage for scheduled items. My most expensive items.
$373 for 15,499 of coverage for scheduled items. My most expensive items.
Camatose
Member
I think I may join the PPA. They offer $1M in liability in their upscaled plan. Cost is $428, but you can pay it in two installments of $214 each. Unfortunately, the environments in which I spend most of my photographic time are ripe for just the kind of accidents described by the Usher agent I spoke with.
I may pay half the premium to get me through my busy season and hopefully find another carrier. If not, I'll probably let it drop at the end of summer.
Kind of like what I did as a kid to get my car plates. Pay enough to get a proof of insurance, get the plates, don't make any insurance payments!
I may pay half the premium to get me through my busy season and hopefully find another carrier. If not, I'll probably let it drop at the end of summer.
Kind of like what I did as a kid to get my car plates. Pay enough to get a proof of insurance, get the plates, don't make any insurance payments!
My home insurance covers this scenario in my public liability section.
Always the way. I was looking for insurance from one of the specialist companies but in the end stuck with my home cover which does not give all of what the specialists offer but is affordable.
Marcus
Active member
Hi graham, would you mind going into a little detail on what you have covered, and what scenario's are covered for you. Also in UK, and trying to navigate the best steps to take, just need to make sure I can cover one particular expensive item for home and any possible outside of home catastrophe! Thanks
I'll have to go into my policy documents Marcus. Chilldminding today, out tomorrow and childminding again Friday so might not be able to do it until the weekend.
Camatose
Member
I carry a $1M liability umbrella policy. The idea is to not have to file a claim against it for some minor event. The same carrier covers my home and car. I would rather use a specialty company and toss them out after a claim (if necessary) than have all of my permanent coverage(s) get rated.
Everyone needs to remember that this forum is worldwide, insurance companies and rules aren't.
EVERYONE THAT HAS A POLICY - BETTER GO READ IT.
GOT MY USAA DOCUMENTS TODAY - WON'T WORK. SO FRUSTRATED. ALL OF THESE POLICIES APPEAR TO BE EXCESS POLICIES THAT EXTEND THE LIMITS. SO IN THE CASE OF DAMAGE FROM A DROP YOU ARE PROBABLY COVERED, BUT NOT IN THE CASE OF THEFT WITHOUT MAKING A CLAIM ON YOUR HOMEOWNERS. I AM BETTING THAT USAA WON'T TELL ME HOW THEY HANDLE THAT CLAUSE JUST LIKE THE OTHER INSURER.
GOT MY USAA DOCUMENTS TODAY - WON'T WORK. SO FRUSTRATED. ALL OF THESE POLICIES APPEAR TO BE EXCESS POLICIES THAT EXTEND THE LIMITS. SO IN THE CASE OF DAMAGE FROM A DROP YOU ARE PROBABLY COVERED, BUT NOT IN THE CASE OF THEFT WITHOUT MAKING A CLAIM ON YOUR HOMEOWNERS. I AM BETTING THAT USAA WON'T TELL ME HOW THEY HANDLE THAT CLAUSE JUST LIKE THE OTHER INSURER.
In the UK this is covered by a policy excess that deters low value claims. Some policies allow zero>whatever you like with zero having the most expensive policy, others have a compulsory excess that you can add a voluntary excess to in order to reduce the cost of the policy.
Don't know what you mean by this.
Marcus
Active member
Camatose
Member
What I mean is that what works for you and your home insurance in the UK won't necessarily work for someone in the US, as you've just exhibited in your post. I believe your 'excess' is similar to what we call 'deductible', but maybe not?
Camatose
Member
It is indeed a very rough row to hoe. I think the PPA policy is a stand-alone, and may be my best bet. Still need to do some more research.
Yep. Bang on. I know full well that what works for the UK won't necessarily work in the USA or any other countries, but for you to suggest that I should be mindful strikes me as being, well lets not go into that.
Are you mindful of what you post here in case there is someone out there in any one of the 195 countries in the world that it might not apply to, and if so how?
How does one know PPA is primary?
Hill & Usher is quoting $565 with a $500 deductible for primary insurance - only for gear - $18,000
I recently got a policy through NANPA, underwritten by Chubb. $250 deductible. Annual premium is 2.45% of the value you want to insure, with some minimums that were not relevant for me. You schedule the gear. There is also coverage for a limited amount of non-scheduled gear and rental gear, which I think you can vary.
Should cover me for theft, breakage and loss (e.g., dropped overboard from my kayak) worldwide.
Should cover me for theft, breakage and loss (e.g., dropped overboard from my kayak) worldwide.
I am finding all of the policies have an "Other Insurance" clause that makes them secondary except Hill and Usher.
Excess means the limits are higher, but if you are covered under your homeowners for cameras, then that's where you will end up. Can you please check this policy so I can update the first post.
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PPA Policy Holders Take NOTE:
Basic PhotoCare is Excess -
PhotoCare Plus is Primary for the 15,000 and excess after that:
LOSS PAYMENT
Basic PhotoCare is Excess -
PhotoCare Plus is Primary for the 15,000 and excess after that:
LOSS PAYMENT
Camatose
Member
All due respect, your interjection regarding how you do it was directed toward me specifically, not a general post. Therein lies the difference.
Camatose
Member
Interesting example. When I was on the phone with Hill and Usher we went through a series of questions that would infer higher risk depending on the answer. One of the questions he asked was if I ever take my gear out in a kayak! I though it a bit specific, why not a boat, canoe, etc.? You kayakers must be a wild bunch!
I was just saying that is how the UK deals with that issue.
Lets call it a misunderstanding.
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NANPA is now written by Chubb. Looks like they prorate if you have other coverage that applies.
choochoo1414
New member
BarkingBeans: thank you for starting and maintaining this thread with all your research & insights. It's very, very helpful.
FYI, I went with RVNA ($10K coverage, $500 deductible, $167/yr premium) recognizing it's secondary insurance as my Allstate homeowners only covers theft and standard home stuff (fire, smoke, flooding, large falling objects, etc.). Allstate doesn't cover loss (falls over cliff), mysterious disappearance, or accidental damage (e.g. drops onto sidewalk).
I did get the Inland Marine version of RVNA, but as long as I lock my car (and it alarmed), then I should be good. I'm not a professional photog, btw.
B. Unattended Vehicle
We will not pay for loss, damage or expense caused directly or indirectly by theft or attempted theft of covered property while in an unattended vehicle or trailer: However, this exclusion does not apply if at the time of loss all of the following conditions were met:
1. The covered property was contained within a fully enclosed, locked and secured:
a. Body or compartment of a vehicle; or
b. Enclosed trailer; and
2. Any vehicle or trailer that was broken into or stolen had an audible alarm which was fully operational and armed.
FYI, I went with RVNA ($10K coverage, $500 deductible, $167/yr premium) recognizing it's secondary insurance as my Allstate homeowners only covers theft and standard home stuff (fire, smoke, flooding, large falling objects, etc.). Allstate doesn't cover loss (falls over cliff), mysterious disappearance, or accidental damage (e.g. drops onto sidewalk).
I did get the Inland Marine version of RVNA, but as long as I lock my car (and it alarmed), then I should be good. I'm not a professional photog, btw.
B. Unattended Vehicle
We will not pay for loss, damage or expense caused directly or indirectly by theft or attempted theft of covered property while in an unattended vehicle or trailer: However, this exclusion does not apply if at the time of loss all of the following conditions were met:
1. The covered property was contained within a fully enclosed, locked and secured:
a. Body or compartment of a vehicle; or
b. Enclosed trailer; and
2. Any vehicle or trailer that was broken into or stolen had an audible alarm which was fully operational and armed.
Sounds like a good plan for you. I spoke to RNVA a number of times. They would not answer many of my questions. One of my questions had to do with your example. Say there is accidental damage, if your homeowners covers the personal property, but not the event, how does the RVNA policy apply. All they would say is we can't pre decide claims and would not say. That was a big turn off for me.
If your homeowners is hard to replace like it is in some states you might want to consider switching. I have updated the original post after talking to the NANPA agent.