Camera Insurance

[Erbeman]

I just started a policy on my equipment with Hill & Usher who are one of the most used Photography insurers. For those of you with alot of money tied up in equipment, you might look into this. My policy is $600 a year with a $500 deductable but it covers everything you could think of that a photographer might need. Check them out.

http://www.packagechoice.com/index.jsp#htwms

[slipkid]

I added my stuff on my homeowners policy for about $32.00, that's for about $3500.00 worth of equipment.

[squiddy]

who do you have for homeowners and does it cover your equipment if stolen or broken from a track/event?

[Erbeman]

I added my stuff on my homeowners policy for about $32.00, that's for about $3500.00 worth of equipment.

That's good I guess if you don't get much more equipment and you don't start profiting from picture sales. Otherwise that won't be good. Homeowners insurance will not cover your equipment if you profit from it. It is then considered a business. Also, Insurance companies are quick to drop a client after a claim has been made. So, what might look like a good deal at first could end up costing you your current homeowners policy then you have to find another and odds are it will cost you more. Also your homeowners policy sill does not cover the things a photographer needs if he shoots anything other than for fun. The policy I just got will cover me for a million for bodily injury if someone sues me if my equipment causes them bodily harm or property damage. It also covers medical expenses, etc... the list goes on and on what all this policy covers. It even covers me for $35,000 if someone sues me because they don't like the pictures that I charged them for. So, like I said as long as you are an amatuer and don't plan on profiting from photography and stay at a low photography investment like $3500, then you're good with what you have probably. However, that simply isn't good enough for a semi pro/pro photographer with $11,000 worth of equipment.

[slipkid]

Mine is for personal use, not business. My policy covers theft,loss or damage to the equipment.

[MT Stringer]

I got mine through my insurance company (State Farm). A little over $100 for 10K worth of equipment. I waiting for the update beause I submitted info and pics of new equipment that runs it up around 15K.

Note: It's separate from my homeowners policy.
Mike

[ian408]

Russ, this is great information. Thanks for posting it.

[johng]

I agree, great info Russ.

I just want to reiterate - normal insurance policies or homeowners will NOT cover equipment lost or damaged during for-profit use. If you're taking photos at your kids games and selling them for $1 - more than likely if you don't have a professional policy like Russ then your insurance company won't cover the loss - or you'll just have to commit insurance fraud to get it covered. Something you don't want to find out the hard-way.

[KMCC]

All of my equipment is covered for damage, loss, or theft under an "Inland Marine" policy issued by State Farm. The name of this type of policy is a hold-over from days gone by. In general, most insurance companies will write such policies to cover your photo equipment (or anything else, for that matter).

Inland Marine policies provide broadened coverage and loss settlement provisions for classes of property that are often excluded or limited by other policies, such as homeowner policies.

[slipkid]

All good info here.....................for the hack like me the Home owners coverage will do fine................for the pro's a more specific plan looks like the way to go.

[ian408]

I agree, great info Russ.

I just want to reiterate - normal insurance policies or homeowners will NOT cover equipment lost or damaged during for-profit use. If you're taking photos at your kids games and selling them for $1 - more than likely if you don't have a professional policy like Russ then your insurance company won't cover the loss - or you'll just have to commit insurance fraud to get it covered. Something you don't want to find out the hard-way.

Something else to remember is that as a professional, you'll probably want liability coverage as well. Best to discuss this and your other requirements with your agent.

[Erbeman]

Russ, this is great information. Thanks for posting it.

Sure thing.