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Good reason not to use home insurance for camera gear


5 years 8 months ago #599342 by Sawyer
A buddy of mine's home had a low income housing development sprout up less than a quarter mile from his home.  Within 10 months 4 of the homes including his were broken into.  He filed a claim the first time to cover loss items, which included his camera gear.  

Well last month his house was broken into again, his camera gear was stolen and this time, his home insurance isn't paying.  To make matters worse, because now he has 2 dings against his policy, his home owners insurance was canceled!!  

This is why I don't have my gear covered under such a policy.  Save your home insurance for big items, like fire or flood.  Get a specific policy for your expensive electronics and camera gear.  

What a crappy situation for him. 
Canon 5D Mark II | Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM | Canon 35L | Sigma 85 1.4 | Helios 44M-6 58mm(M42) | Zeiss 50mm 1.4 (C/Y) | Canon 135L | (2) 430EX II
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5 years 8 months ago #599423 by Juan Anthony
OUCH, sounds like he needs to uproot his home to another area of town.  
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5 years 8 months ago #599457 by garyrhook
Unfortunate that development has led to this situation for him.

Another reason to not use a rider on your homeowners insurance is that the deductible is usually 1%. That's a big number for most folks. A separate policy might cost a bit more, but will have a more reasonable deductible.

Finally, if equipment is used for business, it's usually not going to covered by a homeowners policy. That's usually personal use stuff, with riders for more expensive things (jewelry). It can be another reason for a claim being denied.
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5 years 8 months ago #599462 by Scott Klubeck
Is your friend in California?  I have friends that live in Tustin.  They bought a nice home a number of years ago when they were selling the Tustin District as a new luxury community.   When the community failed to attract as many luxury home buyers to increase foot traffic to the District, they built a number of low income apartment buildings in proximity of their home.  They haven't had any break ins, however they know of people who have.  Plus the home value was stunned by this development.  

It's a shame. 

Your friend should pick up a insurance product that is specific to photographers gear.  
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5 years 8 months ago #599483 by Otto F
Damn that sucks
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5 years 8 months ago #599683 by Peter Nunez
Have you friend get a photography gear specific policy with PPA, Package Choice or even Next Insurance.   
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5 years 8 months ago #599759 by Roman Omell
www.hiscox.com/ is another one worth looking at
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5 years 8 months ago #600198 by Overread
Hiscox doesn't have a specific program for photographers? 
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5 years 8 months ago #600258 by Don Granger
Well that is a learning lesson.  Sorry to hear about your buddies lost gear.  
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5 years 8 months ago #600406 by effron
His insurance company sucks, mine doesn't. Its not a one size fits all. Also, if shooting professionally, homeowners usually won't cover gear.
Why so serious?
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5 years 8 months ago #600417 by Screamin Scott
Having worked in the Insurance field as an Underwriter, I doubt that his policy was canceled. More likely it was not renewed... State laws vary though so cancelation is possible.
Scott Ditzel Photography

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5 years 8 months ago #600438 by effron

Screamin Scott wrote: Having worked in the Insurance field as an Underwriter, I doubt that his policy was canceled. More likely it was not renewed... State laws vary though so cancelation is possible.


Yup, and I thought about it a little after my post and I'd advise the claimant to NOT just take no for a final answer. Insurance companies routinely deny a first claim. Take it to the state insurance commissioner!
Why so serious?
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5 years 8 months ago #600677 by Meskill
Home insurance should be just that, the blanket coverage for your home and items.  If you have any amount of camera gear, get a policy from a company that specializes in this sort of coverage for photographers.  That way, your gear is covered.  And in many cases, rates will be lower as these companies focus on this segment of the market.  If you are looking at PPA insurance, make sure you get something beyond the free plan they have.  That is extremely limited.   
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5 years 8 months ago #600764 by effron

Meskill wrote: Home insurance should be just that, the blanket coverage for your home and items.  If you have any amount of camera gear, get a policy from a company that specializes in this sort of coverage for photographers.  That way, your gear is covered.  And in many cases, rates will be lower as these companies focus on this segment of the market.  If you are looking at PPA insurance, make sure you get something beyond the free plan they have.  That is extremely limited.   


That is fine if one is a "professional". Many or most specialized camera gear insurers won't cover amateurs, enthusiasts, etc. They can easily be covered by homeowners, renters and the like. One should make certain of coverage PRIOR to getting robbed, or having a fire or flood. My gear is itemized, and I update yearly.
Why so serious?
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5 years 8 months ago - 5 years 8 months ago #600774 by Troponin
Another option is to get a large safe. Keep the camera in it whenever you’re not using it/home.

I bought the largest I could afford and keep all firearms, documents, camera and lenses etc in mine. 

 This can also help with fire, and if you buy a nicer one, from flooding, for so varying times 
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