Camera insurance (for international traveling)

[ttusteveo]

It looks like I've got some international business travel coming up, and I'd like to bring my camera and personal laptop computer. Some of my destinations are a little riskier than others and I'm considering upgrading my gear... so for the first time I'm thinking seriously about insurance.

What do you guys recommend? I live in the US - a quick google search yielded a bunch of UK companies specializing in this kind of insurance, but not too many in the US.

Keeping options open, I'd be looking to insure $5k tops.

 

[bflood]

I suggest starting out with your own insurance - if you have homeowners or renters insurance, check with your agent first.

If your insurance can be supplemented with a rider specific to your camera gear, be careful to specify this is for travel outside the US and identify every country you might go to. Then ask about coverage as it applies to theft, loss, damage in each country. If the coverage is available, also ask what kind of evidence or proof you'd have to provide if you have to make a claim.

I have no experience with specialty insurance companies, but if you go that route, I suggest providing all the same information about your travel and asking all the same questions about countries, coverage, and claims.

 

[NickZ2016]

For most travel the biggest risks are going to be accidental. Drops or just forgetting your bag someplace. Make sure what ever you get covers stuff like that.

You don't mention where but theft is rarely a bigger issue than the clueless tourist that slips and falls.

 

[mfinley]

I'd be looking to insure $5k tops.

I wouldn't bother for such as small amount. The insurance company is going to love to write that policy, a big moneymaker for them. Consider the risk-reward for 5k in coverage at most. What is your international travel costing you?

Check your homeowner's insurance if you have it, there is a slim chance you might have some coverage already, that kind of thing varies tremendously between companies.

--
Thanks,
Mike
https://www.instagram.com/mikefinleyco/

 

[NikonNature]

I got a rider through my regular insurance company that my home owners policy is through. It was pretty reasonable ($50/yr), however you had to itemize the exact gear you are covering, even providing receipts to prove the purchase price.

What's worse is that over time your gear naturally changes. However, new gear is not covered unless you actively keep the list filed with the insurance company up to date. Not a huge problem if you are disciplined enough to do it.

 

[KENTGA]

I live in the US and my homeowners and auto insurance is with State Farm. I've got my camera's on an insurance "rider" and it's insured for "everything"--- theft, robbery, lost, droping in the lake, etc. $ 5k shouldn't cost over $250/year if you combine it with your homeowners.

Kent

 

[embie]

I travel the world without an extra camera or other gear insurance for 4K $, meaning...

My home insurance covers in that direction but, only if...(two words invented by insurance companies ?)

Theft :

-only with evidence of burglary.

-only with personally injury and/or witnesses.

-Both must be accompanied with an official police report.

Any damaged :

-Not insured

So, knowing this, I would never pay extra for a gear insurance but rather realise...

- Opportunity makes the thief -

Also, I only buy gear that I can effort replacing when it's stolen.

eMBie

--
"Travel is fatal...for prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness" (Mark Twain) - "The world...is our home" (eMBie)
You can edit and repost my pictures until you drop but they will still be mine Please respect my copyright

 

[Labmom60]

It looks like I've got some international business travel coming up, and I'd like to bring my camera and personal laptop computer. Some of my destinations are a little riskier than others and I'm considering upgrading my gear... so for the first time I'm thinking seriously about insurance.

What do you guys recommend? I live in the US - a quick google search yielded a bunch of UK companies specializing in this kind of insurance, but not too many in the US.

Keeping options open, I'd be looking to insure $5k tops.

State Farm offers a Personal Articles Policy. This is what I have

 

[dsturgess]

From experience, I would advise against a rider on your homeowners' insurance policy. One claim and you may have difficulty finding anyone that will insure your home. This happened to me and when I moved, I had trouble finding an insurance company based on the one claim. With a PPA membership, you automatically get a certain amount of insurance included. For more extensive coverage, NANPA offers discounted rates through Chubb Insurance which covers total replacement when home or traveling abroad.

 

[Plankowner110]

State Farm covered my loss of a Nikon SLR and lenses stolen from the locked trunk of my rental car in Italy about 15 years ago. I had a police report from the local Italian police. I was surprised that my deluxe homeowner's policy covered such a theft in a foreign county. Today I have a personal articles policy to cover specific, itemized photo gear, firearms, and musical instruments, and the annual premium is very reasonable.

 

[zurubi]

I have that insurance through State Farm as a standalone insurance. It's covered for anything and a friend in town used them when all hiss gear went under water in Iceland. No questions asked. Give them a call and if you don't get what you need then PM me.