pro photography insurance - any clues?

Calina

I know the whole question regarding insurance comes up from time to time...and my gear is currently insured under my contents insurance with theoretically "all risks" attached to the camera and associated lenses. Fine.

However, I shoot watersports photos (duh) and spend a lot of time around water. Yesterday, it cost me a mobile phone and a remote electronic key. Total damage: high, but below my insurance excess. I'm not going to cry over it. Camera is fine, didn't get a dunking (just the phone and the key).

Is there any pro-photography insurance around at all that would cover my camera for risks related to what I actually use the camera to take photographs? I'm thinking some sorts of sports photography policy for sports photographers etc etc...

rymus

PJT in Swords, but it is more expensive than other options...

Other options being 123.ie

Had insurance with them when I was a tenant, covered 10k's worth of gear (camera, lenses, accessories, laptop) for 200 quid a year with a 500 quid excess. All risks. 24/7 in Ireland and Europe, up to 60 days worldwide. Not a bad deal.

PJT were looking for 280 quid for 8 grands worth of cover, only in the republic of Ireland.

Morlar

There are lots of photography insurance companies that advertise in the back of uk based photo magazines - however I would be very careful about shelling out for high premium insurance and then if you have to make a claim finding that they say its not covered as the damage was foreseeable and avoidable. Pretty sure they would all sign you up and take your money - it would only be at the point of having to claim that problems could arise.

Might be an idea to get it in an email from the company that they will cover you for specifically the damage you need to be covered for - ie accidental water damage while shooting watersports.

soccerc

Calina wrote:

Is there any pro-photography insurance around at all that would cover my camera for risks related to what I actually use the camera to take photographs? I'm thinking some sorts of sports photography policy for sports photographers etc etc...

A friend of mine in insurace brokerage arranged mine through a thrid party underwriter.

It wasn't cheap, in excess of €600 per annum and that was even when he didn't apply his normal commission/ service charge.

It's an all risks policy with a loss excess of €250, damage excess of €100 and new for old provided equipment is under 3 years old.

Additionally the cover appiles to all computer equipment along with loss of income/earnings for up to 14 days or replacement of loss whichever is the lesser.

I'll ask him if he would be willing to source the same policy for others.

Edit: This was cover for professional use not additional to a household policy that he could arrange for about €200

Calina

Morlar wrote:

.... Pretty sure they would all sign you up and take your money - it would only be at the point of having to claim that problems could arise.

this in fact is my main concern which is why I was interested in specialist insurance.

Ryan, who was your actual insurer? Mine is through Axa as far as I remember and there is "all risks" but per Morlar's point I'm concerned "all risks excluding you going anywhere near the sea to take photographs seeing as you know you do it..."

Maybe I should call them.

Paulw

Mine is with Sun Alliance, all risks, no excess. I just added it on top of my home contents insurance.

For your particular case, I'd say that no one will pay out if yours gets water damaged, unless you have a water proof case for your camera. You go in to the water, but you have no protection.

Have a look at http://www.digideep.com/english/digital/photo/camera/Canon/EOS-400D/7/2644 for camera cases.

rymus

Havent a clue, Axa might be about right though. I'd have to check the documentation I got from them. I can't see why all risks wouldnt cover water damage tbh... "I was taking photos on the beach, suddenly camera dropped in the water". It's not like you intentionally put the camera in harms way, like wading out until you're up to your neck in water and shooting the camera over your head.

Paulw

Insurance companies love finding reasons not to pay up. Water damage is a common reason.

With the way Calina takes picts, it would certainly be worth spending a little extra on a water-proof casing, considering the shots taken and the location (knee-deep, at least, in water).

Calina

The problem is the wide-angle. Zoom, knee deep okay. Wide-angle, knee deep not okay. I remember Paudie mentioning that wp casings tended to be lens specific so I'm looking into it for the 10-20.

The phone bit the dust because I was waist deep in water and forgot that somewhat uniquely, I had it with me. :-( Usually it's not anywhere near me as I can generally only contend with minding the camera equipment.

Paulw's comment is probably fair. Without a casing, there is no insurance in this case. I know the last time I looked into a casing, one of them came with a guarantee that the camera would be replaced in case of leakage. It's almost certainly only ever going to be the 350D as the WA is not going to be friendly to the 1D if I ever get it...and my plan to work with a 350D in the water was to ensure that I limited the financial hit some way if the camera got damaged as a result. I may switch to working film from the water as quite a few pro watersports guys that I've come across in the past work film from the water because digital just isn't up to it. The killer will be a lack of range. I'm considering - against my will - upping the CF card size to minimise the amount of cf card changing. And it is possible that a battery grip will be bought for the same purpose.

The casing is probably desirable for another reason. I've been advised to start wearing a helmet if I'm shooting from the water in case a board drops on my head. I guess the camera could probably do with some protection too, but I suppose if a board falls in my head, a 350D is going to be the least of my worries.

thing is, Paul, the waterproof casings look as though they exceed the cost of the camera plus lens...

IPWS

Hi Calina,

There are a number of companies now aiming at the Irish Market. The new entrants include

• Towergate
• Europlan
• Crotty

The current insurance market in Ireland was discussed in detail on The Irish Photographers Website

Hope this helps.

Alan M

Roen

:eek:
You can choose your title on the Towergate site.
I'm Lance Bombadier O'Keeffe and I work as an Itinerant Labourer.

IPWS

Roen wrote:

:eek:
You can choose your title on the Towergate site.
I'm Lance Bombadier O'Keeffe and I work as an Itinerant Labourer.

Don't get that

Roen

IPWS wrote:

Don't get that

When you go through all the input fields you get to a stage where you select your title from a drop down menu. Normally you get choices like Mrs. Mr. Ms. etc.

This one has a few more......... https://www.towergate.co.uk/photographers-insurance/ProposerDetails.aspx