[Andy Bright]

Does anyone use specialised photographic equipment insurance? Any experiences or tips on who provides good cover?
I try not to leave my gear in the car, but sometimes you can't avoid it.... although alarmed, it's no real protection.
Any advise would be welcome.
Andy

[IanF]

I tried several different companies myself and they were all very expensive. In the end I rang my household contents insurers and they covered everything at a fraction of the price of the others - though not accidental damage, though I suspect it could be for an extra fee. The policy covers me everywhere in the UK for theft whether from person/vehicle/residence. Abroad I have a separate travel insurance policy.

[Pol]

I have also insured my cameras, binoculars and telescope through my Home Contents Insurance policy. Yes, it certainly increased the premium but they are all adequately covered for "All risks" and accidental damage. It cost FAR less than insuring them through a specialist company.

Mind you, I haven't had to make a claim - yet!!

Pol

[CJW]

I'm also covered on my Household Insurance for a claim of up to £7,000 away from the home. (Camera gear, optics, guitars etc etc). I had to itemise the ones that were worth over £1,500.

[AndyC]

Unless you use equipment for professionally, then household contents is the cheapest way. if you have any items of high value (the amount varies wilth company) you will have to list them individually. Check with your insurance company.


AndyC

[Andy Bright]

Thanks everyone, useful info... though I suspected most would suggest the home insurance route. It's clear this is the best option, so I'll have a word with the man from the pru :-)

[AndyC]

Just a thought, make sure that any claims are on a new-for-old basis, and not on market value. If a piece of equipment is replaced, it should be the item or the nearest equivalent if the item is no longer available new. Also you need to be able to specify which item is best suited for your needs, not what the insurance company gets the best deal on!

AndyC

[Geoff Brown]

Mine is also on the household policy but I have to specify items of value over £1,000 each. Thank goodness like most of you I have not yet had to test how well the insurance company responds to a claim.

[helenh]

Just to provide an alternate view - I have separate camera/optics cover from Glover and Howe. It covers me on a new for old basis for all my kit both here and anywhere abroad. The only exclusion is that damage due to acts of terrorism isn't covered (this is post 9/11 and the same is true of my home contents insurance). The total cost for covering £10,110 worth of cameras/bins/scope etc was £230 and they offer a non-claims discount. Their service has been excellent - although as yet I haven't had to claim anything (keeping fingers crossed that this remains the case!!).

[tarves57]

Originally Posted by helenh

Just to provide an alternate view - I have separate camera/optics cover from Glover and Howe.

I have taken out separate insurance too, using the same company as Helen above. This is to the value of £2600 and cost me £72 for one year, amateur use only. This is new for old and covers my Xs hard drive, 2 lens, 10D body, 1 point and shoot and miscellaneous not exceeding £100. These are all listed and serial numbers noted.
I'll be adding 2 new lenses soon, so it might go up a tad.
Wordlwide cover is 60 days at any one time.

One of the clauses states Insurers will not pay for loss or damage: - from any unattended motor vehicle during the hours of 21.00 to 06.00 unless the vehicle is fully locked and properly fastened and contained within a secruely locked garage or compound.
-from any unattended motor vehicle unless the vehicle is a car or van of a fully enclosed type (excluding convertible or soft top vehicles) with all doors, windows and any other opening shut and securely locked and properly fastened with all security devices therein in full and proper operation.

Susan

[Andy Bright]

Ah, that's interesting. Thanks Helen and Susan. The 2100-0600 clause seems fair enough. I'd have slightly less equipment value than Helen, possibly £7-8000 for all my equipment.... so I'd guess at £170+ per year. I'm wondering if your postal address is taken into account when they give you a quote?
Thanks,
Andy

[helenh]

Originally Posted by Andy Bright

... I'm wondering if your postal address is taken into account when they give you a quote?
Thanks,
Andy

Sorry - don't know if they assess by postal address but I would guess they do (most insurance companies seem to).

[tarves57]

Originally Posted by helenh

Sorry - don't know if they assess by postal address but I would guess they do (most insurance companies seem to).

I can't say that I live in a good neighbourhood, so if the above were true, I would probably be paying a good deal more! There's not a night goes by without one of the "holy trio" visiting. (ambulance, police or fire engine.... )

Susan

[tarves57]

.....or then again, if they think you stay in a very expensive part of town, they may add on an extra few bob.....

Either way.......


Here's a link:
http://www.gloverhowe.co.uk/


Susan

[Reader]

Andy

I had a free copy of the Photography monthly magazine yesterday and contained within the pages was a flyer for camera equipment insurance. It has two distinct columns of prices. One is for amateur and the other is for the professional (which I guess is your catergory)

There phone number is: 08707 450318 and their website address appears to be:

www.eandl.org.uk/PhotographyMonthly

Their e-mail address is: info@eandl.co.uk

I have no connection with this company and haven't used their services so can't actually comment on them but looking at their prices they don't look too bad. Mind you as I have never been able to afford insuring my own equipment I can't compare prices with other types of policies.

See what you think.

[Andy Bright]

Originally Posted by Reader

Andy
One is for amateur and the other is for the professional (which I guess is your catergory)
.

Ha, in my dreams , or my nightmares, depending how I'm feeling. Thanks for the info, I'll check them out for a quote.
Regards,
Andy

[Steve G]

Originally Posted by tarves57

I can't say that I live in a good neighbourhood, so if the above were true, I would probably be paying a good deal more! There's not a night goes by without one of the "holy trio" visiting. (ambulance, police or fire engine.... )

Susan

Morningside has obviously taken a turn for the worse since my last bridge party at the MacLaren-Smythe's mansion.

[stuartlawrie]

Originally Posted by Reader

Andy

I had a free copy of the Photography monthly magazine yesterday and contained within the pages was a flyer for camera equipment insurance. It has two distinct columns of prices. One is for amateur and the other is for the professional (which I guess is your catergory)

There phone number is: 08707 450318 and their website address appears to be:

www.eandl.org.uk/PhotographyMonthly

Their e-mail address is: info@eandl.co.uk

I have no connection with this company and haven't used their services so can't actually comment on them but looking at their prices they don't look too bad. Mind you as I have never been able to afford insuring my own equipment I can't compare prices with other types of policies.

See what you think.

Personally I wouldn't recommend eandl, see this thread http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=43957
definitely not recommended

[hampers]

I rang my household insurance company where I've all my gear covered after reading the threads on this issue. Whilst I'm covered for loss, theft or damage if its in an unattended car the maximum claim is £1000, so beware if you think its fully covered. They will not increase this limit so the company offering cover is attractive. £1000 is not a lot with newer scopes alone, without bins and cameras.


Phil

[Marcus Lawson]

I recently went travelling for ten months and consequently needed extra insurance for all the gear (incl laptop). As has been mentioned before household insurance only covers you for a certain number of days out of the Country. I used a company called Photoguard who seemed very good, although thankfully I didn't have to make a claim so can't comment on how well they handle them.
Their website is http://www.photoguard.co.uk/
I have no affiliation with the company, other than being a customer.

One other point is that general holiday insurance normally will only pay a maximum of £250 for a single item, and doesn't pay an awful lot more than this for your belongings in total.

[robinm]

Hi Marcus,

A warm welcome to BirdForum from all the Moderators and Admin. Good to have another Kent member - particlarly one whose name I know through my connection with the KOS

[Reader]

Originally Posted by Andy Bright

Ha, in my dreams , or my nightmares, depending how I'm feeling. Thanks for the info, I'll check them out for a quote.
Regards,
Andy

Hi Andy

What insurance company did you end up using. I haven't had my optics or cameras insured for ages and as I am going to Turkey next month I am thinking that it would be best if I insure them before I go.

My gear consists of the Swaro ATS80 HD with the 20 x 60 zoom. Manfrotti Tripod + Manfrotti 501 video head. Swaro 8x30SLC bins. Two CP4500's plus Eagle Eye 5x teleconverter plus adapters and various other bits and pieces.

I don't own my own house as I just rent. I don't have contents insurance so I have no cover there.

I would hate to lose them without cover so if this was your gear who would you choose to use.

John

[Bish]

I have just insured all my gear with Glover & Howe, The total value is £8500 & cost £265 a year

I have attached there amateur policy summary & proposal form with current premiums

One of the reasons I have chose this company is they are 9 miles from me & in the event of any claim I can speak face to face with someone rather than trying to get any sense from a call centre

Regards Bish.

[mrcheeky]

Originally Posted by Andy Bright

Does anyone use specialised photographic equipment insurance? Any experiences or tips on who provides good cover?
I try not to leave my gear in the car, but sometimes you can't avoid it.... although alarmed, it's no real protection.
Any advise would be welcome.
Andy

Add yoiur photographic insurance on to th all risks section of your household insurance. I can take out £5000.00 pounds worth at no extra cost providing no one item exceeds £1500.00............... It needs to be both on your household and all risks section very important................. In fact my laptop birding equipment binoculars scope etc is covered as well and its new for old with only a vey small access of £50.00 per claim.

My whole contents insurance for the flat with the above is only £107.00.
The all risks part is only £19.00 for all the above.

Regards


Peter Mr Cheeky Southport

Let me know if you need further advice and I will PM you my number.

[Reader]

Originally Posted by mrcheeky

Add yoiur photographic insurance on to th all risks section of your household insurance. I can take out £5000.00 pounds worth at no extra cost providing no one item exceeds £1500.00............... It needs to be both on your household and all risks section very important................. In fact my laptop birding equipment binoculars scope etc is covered as well and its new for old with only a vey small access of £50.00 per claim.

My whole contents insurance for the flat with the above is only £107.00.
The all risks part is only £19.00 for all the above.

Regards


Peter Mr Cheeky Southport

Let me know if you need further advice and I will PM you my number.

Hi Peter

I don't have household insurance as I rent my property. However I have been considering getting contents insurance. Would I get a similar deal tagged onto a contents insurance policy?

John