Camera gear insurance

hoganpoly

Just read the thread on the monaghan photographer having his gear stolen:mad: and got me thinking as I have accumulated a lot of gear myself now all bought second hand mostly ,how do I insure same is it photos of gear with serial numbers ,and which insurer do most photogs use....thx

Heebie

Yours should be covered on your homeowner's or contents cover insurance if you have it. (If you don't.. you should.) They might want the serial numbers or some other documentation, or they might just ask you for a gross value figure and make your premium higher to compensate for the value.

harr

your house insurance will cover it all just ring them with the amount it is all worth and will then include it on your contents insurance.thats all i did anyway,but get them to send out new documents with the gear on it just to be sure.:)

mrboswell

A few of us have insurance with Photoshield (part of Windsover Howden).

Really nice to deal with, great value and it's all risks and has options for public liability and professional indemnity. They were the best value around by a country mile when I went with them.

If you have a lot of gear it might be better to have a specific policy.

Ask for a guy called Steve and he'll look after you - Feel free to mention my name

If you need contact details pm me as they are updating their site.

hoganpoly

mrboswell wrote: »

A few of us have insurance with Photoshield (part of Windsorhowden).

Really nice to deal with, great value and it's all risks and has options for Public liability (which you should really have already) and professional indemnity. They were the best value around by a country mile when I went with them.

Ask for a guy called Steve and he'll look after you - Feel free to mention my name

If you need contact details pm me as they are updating their site.

Thx Colm will pm you for details

kensutz

Steve has finished there as of a few weeks ago.

Paulw

Steve left them a good while ago, unfortunately.

While getting gear insurance, you should probably also look at PI and PL insurance. You'll need it for HK games, and I'm surprised Magners and FAI don't require it too.

Photoshield are one of the best out there, for price and coverage.

DougL

I phoned my home insurance provider the other day to add my new camera to my home insurance. It was no problem, but when I told her how much to insure it for, she asked me whether this was for hobby or professional use. I told her I was definitely an amateur, just one with more money than sense!

As an aside, most home insurance policies will cover you for home contents up to a certain total amount without any specifics. I think my policy is like €65k. However, for something like a camera, it's always best to get accidental damage and coverage outside the home, which is why you have to give them the details and pay an extra premium. Otherwise, if you break it, or it's stolen out of the boot of your car...tough luck!

Paulw

Sagastipean wrote: »

I phoned my home insurance provider the other day to add my new camera to my home insurance. It was no problem, but when I told her how much to insure it for, she asked me whether this was for hobby or professional use.

Yeah, if you make anything from your photography, then you can't add it to your home insurance policy. It would void the insurance.

Of course, if you're doing it professionally, you should definitely have PI and PL insurance too.

DougL

Paulw wrote: »

Yeah, if you make anything from your photography, then you can't add it to your home insurance policy. It would void the insurance.

Of course, if you're doing it professionally, you should definitely have PI and PL insurance too.

True. Although, in the event I ever sell a print or two, I won't be losing sleep over it.

soccerc

Paulw wrote: »

Photoshield are one of the best out there, for price and coverage.

That was my opinion until recently when a problem of their making arose that could have caused me great difficulty.

I'm moving broker and underwriter as I no longer trust Winsover Howden's administration

Ballyman

Try Aaduki in the UK also. They are cheaper than Photoshield and cover you internationally as well.

Podgoricka

my camera and equipment and laptop are named upon the rents home insurance, they only asked for the gross value and the value of each item. it did cost 30 quid extra, but worth it if ya ask me! haven't had to use it but its always there if s**t happens. o yeah the insurance company is AXA. There was no forms to be filled it was just a matter of naming or mention them when renewing the policy.

stcstc

there is

http://www.camerainsurance.ie/

they do ameteur insurance i see

i know one of the guys is a boards member

i havent used them so dont know too much but worth maybe taking a look?

mrboswell

Didn't know Steve was gone from photoshield. He was a nice guy to deal with.

Photoshield allow 30 days european cover but you just have to notify them. Worldwide costs a little more.

Never had any issues with them.

You don't need to be doing it professionally to need PL.....depending on circumstances. Accidents can happen and they may not always be your fault but you still might have to pay for them.

On that note I heard a great story from one of the agency guys that was in Croker a good few yeas ago.
Photographer leaves case at edge of pitch and wanders off to get the handshake/celebration pics. Meanwhile some kid jumps past stewards and trips on the case and bust himself in some manner. Photographer comes back to collect the case. Steward comes over and says "Your in big trouble - you left your case in the middle of the pitch and some kid fell over it and got badly hurt". Photographer replies "What are you talking about - its your f****** job to keep him off the pitch!" Photographer walks away as steward mumbles some rubbish.

Not so sure a photographer might get away with it today - leave you cases as out of the was as possible....

ttcomet

It looks like Windover Howden (inc PhotoShield) have either joined with RiskAlliance Group or been brought out by them.

smelltheglove

I also had hassles with photo shield administration problems. My insurance is up for renewal although I did not receive any information about renewal until the policy expired. Steve was a lovely fella to deal with and it is unfortunate that he has left them. I have a new quote from them, I am re-submitting my information to them to ensure it is accurate but I think I will send out for quotes from elsewhere also now.

Nforce

I got my camera gear,laptops and PC's covered under my home insurance policy just a couple of weeks ago with FBD. they didn't require any real specifics...total value of camera equipment sufficed.

Paulw

I know that once my insurance policy is up, like always, I'll be seeking a few quotes.

My insurance isn't due until end of Feb though. It's a shame that Steve is gone, but business is business. At the end of the day, I'll take a policy with the best company.

Home insurance policy is find for hobby photographers, but for anyone doing professional and commercial work, they do need proper full insurance, with gear insurance as well as PI and PL.

hoganpoly

Got a quote from aaduki of £105 for £4500 worth of gear including laptop does that seem reasonable enough

oldyouth

Nforce wrote: »

I got my camera gear,laptops and PC's covered under my home insurance policy just a couple of weeks ago with FBD. they didn't require any real specifics...total value of camera equipment sufficed.

Just be very careful if you are a professional photographer as all home insurance policies exclude business equipment. It's not the item itself but the use it is put to. It's the same for tradesman keeping construction equipment at home or computers used as part of a home office.

Any individual can keep the exact same equipment in their homes and the insurance is fine, if it is used for domestic purposes.

Ballyman

hoganpoly wrote: »

Got a quote from aaduki of £105 for £4500 worth of gear including laptop does that seem reasonable enough

Sounds good.

You should get PL as an add on as well if you are going to be sitting on the sidelines of sporting events or doing weddings and the like in case someone falls over your equipment etc and gets injured. It's not much extra.

Nforce

oldyouth wrote: »

Just be very careful if you are a professional photographer as all home insurance policies exclude business equipment. It's not the item itself but the use it is put to. It's the same for tradesman keeping construction equipment at home or computers used as part of a home office.

Any individual can keep the exact same equipment in their homes and the insurance is fine, if it is used for domestic purposes.

Yep...that was stipulated in my policy, and confirmed when talking to the broker. Didn't affect me as I'm an amateur and only "shoot for fun".
From memory, €5k worth of gear cost me ~€50 extra on my premium and as stated earlier I did not have to provide a breakdown in costs. The gear is also covered outside of the home and against accidental damage.

mrboswell

Aindreas is right about the PL - you never know when you will need it.

Photoshield are attending Photovision in Croker this Sept might be worth calling in. There may be other insurers there also.

Adrian - keep looking around until you are happy you are getting the best for what you need. In an ideal world I'd prefer to deal with someone over here but that may not always result in the best service or value.

I'll be renewing in September so I'll give you a shout and see if you've gone with anyone by then.

hoganpoly

Thanks for all the advice lads ,will head along to the photovision event in croker and see who is giving the best deal ...:)

kjt

hoganpoly wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice lads ,will head along to the photovision event in croker and see who is giving the best deal ...:)

Aaduki are going to be at photovision and are are offering a further 10% discount if you already have a quote.

Aaduki Multimedia Insurance announces an extra 10% discount for Photovision Dublin 2010

Aaduki Multimedia Insurance has announced a special 10% discount for customers who receive quotes and then insure from Photovision Roadshow, Dublin 2010. The Photographers product that is offered in Ireland is exclusively in Euros with all premiums being paid in Euros, cover in Euros and claims paid in Euros.

mrboswell

Was there for 5 mins today - had a quick look around - Didn't see Aaduki and photoshield but got a quote fro some other crowed - cant remember their name as left details in work.

Just checked email now and photoshield sent a renewal quote - 5% down on last year but thats probably due to no claims but its still cheaper.

The quote I got today at photovision from the other crowed was €125 more expensive than photoshiled...

Must try out Aaduki next.

mrboswell

Just an update, I haven't renewed as I've been so busy but I certainly will not be going with Windover Howden/PhotoShield again.

I got on to them to get a quote and they did give me a reasonable quote but said that it needed to be confirmed by the new underwriters.

After numerous contact with them (since September!) they still haven't come back to me with a confirmed quote...they keep saying very soon.

They have lost my business......unless Steve comes back!

kensutz

They tried to hound me down for a renewal but I ignored their phone calls etc after reading so many horror stories about them.

soccerc

kensutz wrote: »

They tried to hound me down for a renewal but I ignored their phone calls etc after reading so many horror stories about them.

You should see the policy documents I was sent. They contain the personal details of two other policy holders, one in Dublin 18 and one in Dublin 3.
They are the most inept compnay I've ever come across. No one takes responsibility and seem to have a turnover of staff.


Tried to tell me I was not insured at my new address despite taking the funds for the renewal. (They tried to blame the new underwriters).

I sent them the details they required both physically by snail mail and electroncally though they still claim they have not recieved them.

Did not acknowledge when I was travelling to Armenia that I was insured for the trip.

mrboswell

Aaduki are a massive rip-off and priced themelves out of it.

Going to go with camerainsurance.ie

daycent

mrboswell wrote: »

Aaduki are a massive rip-off and priced themelves out of it.

Going to go with camerainsurance.ie

Camerainsurance.ie insure through Aaduki though . From their website:

Our insurances are placed through the leading provider in the UK - Aaduki Multimedia Insurance.

mrboswell

daycent wrote: »

Camerainsurance.ie insure through Aaduki though . From their website:

I don't care who underwrites it so long as I get my insurance 100 euro cheaper!

jaybeeveedub

mrboswell wrote: »

I don't care who underwrites it so long as I get my insurance 100 euro cheaper!

you will if you gear gets snaffled and the insurers say "oh it was was a wednesday, and it was raining.... if you read section 3 subsection 19.IV we don't cover that...."

there is a massive difference in what each insurer covers... those who specialise in professional photographers insurance, will cover you for things like I turned my back while paying for coffee and some little scamp nicked my case... or it was in the boot of my car.. etc etc

try towergate camerasure... they seemed the best to me if memory serves...

Paulw

jaybeeveedub wrote: »

try towergate camerasure... they seemed the best to me if memory serves...

They tend to be the more expensive one between PhotoShield, Aaduki and Towergate.

For now, the best seems to be through camerainsurance.ie (for the level of cover combined with price).

Looks like they will be getting my business too once my policy is due for renewal.

jaybeeveedub

arachas is another, but if memory serves they have a minimum insured value of 25000

Balfey1972

daycent wrote: »

Camerainsurance.ie insure through Aaduki though . From their website:

Hi Guys, the camerainsurance.ie is my business. We use the same underwriters as Aaduki. We are a broker based in Swords.

Give me a call and mention Boards.ie and I'll allow the 10% show discount for you.

A few points to note when it comes to insurance.

• Shop around.
• Ask Questions because you need to make sure the policy you get meets your own needs.
• If you are earning any sort of income from your photography work you should insure it on a seperate policy.
• If you do not, cover it on your house insurance. Again shop around because the all risks rate can vary greatly. If you do put it on your house insurance specify it. Even if you don't have too it is well worth it in the event of a claim
• Take photos of your equipment and serial numbers.
• Suggest you use a broker where possible. In the event of a claim they are acting on your behalf. Not the companies. At the end of the day this is the reason you are taking out cover.
• You need to have liability cover as a minimum if you are doing professional work.

We tailor policies to suit each persons individual needs. Don't just go on price. Ask them what is different about their cover.

We have a number of the boards guys already insured.

And if you ever need to help or advice when it comes to a claim, even if it is not insured with me, please give me a call. I will try to help and steer you in the right direction where I can. You only get once chance at completing the claim form correctly.

Derek.