Looking for travel / camera insurance please HELP

I am going to South America for 4 month/ Argentina/BOlivia/Peru/Chile.

I have about $5,000 worth of photo gear.

*

Would anyone recomend a relieble insurance company that has good

deals for travel/equipment.

*

Any tips from your pernonal experiences with travel/camera insurance.

*

 

THANK YOU

,Sasha

There is no consumer travel insurance policy that will provide $5,000 of equipment coverage. You will need a commercial photographers business policy for that. I think the most coverage I ever found before switching to Leica RF gear was between $2,000-$2,500. Now that I've got over $15,000 of Leica's in my bag, the second option became mandatory. After considering your options, I can provide the name and number of my broker if you like.

 

And one last thing, for those you will suggest that you get a rider on your homeowners policy; a) it will not cover your gear outside the house, 2) a claim will cause you to lose your house coverage and make it near impossible to get another policy.

My mistake - the last time I bought a consumer travel policy I went through CSA, http://www.csatravelprotection.com/csa/do/csa/dispatcher?forward=twelcome&phc=bqsr0y7v1pg1p, and the "Gold" plan provides only $1,000 baggage coverage per person. You're going to have to either pare down your gear, or get a beefier commercial policy. However, I still recommend getting a good travel policy for the medical benefits.

<i>And one last thing, for those you will suggest that you get a rider on your homeowners policy; a) it will not cover your gear outside the house</i><p>

 

This is total and complete nonsense. More directly, it's bullshit.<p>

 

From my homeowner's policy (with Safeco), which carries a camera equipment rider:<p>

 

4. Territorial Limits. We cover the property described while it is anywhere in the world except the Fine Arts.

"anywhere in the world except the Fine Arts"

 

Anyone know what Fine Arts means in this context?

I've no problem with "know-it-alls" if they know what they're talking about. Not to inspire a response from Mr. Dunlop, but there are plenty of "consumer" (i.e., non-commercial) policies that will insure over $5,000 worth of equipment. I used to have one through Prudential, and now have it through State Farm. While these are separate policies, I could have them as riders on my Homeowners' insurance and they would cover loss anywhere in the world. And if you really believe that filing a single claim on your insurance will get your policy cancelled, then you are either dealing with a very disreputable insurer or you're making assumptions that are likely inaccurate. And yes, I've had claims.

"Fine Arts", in the context of the policy, is paintings, prints, etc.

I can't add it to my home insurance, because i don't have a home...

i don't think i own anything but my equipment:)

 

thanks

:)

I need a short term coverage.

Any specific companies ???

....

any one had a problem with insured equipment lost or stolen??

????

Word of warning, make sure you have details of all your equipment with you, photos if possible and a list of serial numbers. I had a fuji GA645 and a canon 100 lens removed from a bag on an overnight trip from Nasca to Cusco, during the 26 hour bus ride, one of the many people sleeping on the floor of the bus worked there way through a padlock on a tenba backpack and helped themselves, all this while the bag was in front of my feet (or on my back when we got off for breaks).

 

Had HUGE hassles in Cusco trying to convince the local police that the items did exist and I wasnt scamming my insurance, in the end they conceeded to write a report, after my insurance company faxed through details. The report, in spanish only said I claimed the items had been stolen, which my insurance argued over before finally paying out (this was a photo specific policy with itemised cover).

 

But its a fantastic trip, make sure you get across the Salah de Uyuni, magical!

I use photoguard.co.uk

 

Gavin

I am sure most insurance companies have different rules for how you can cover your equipment, but the one thing they want to know is if the equipment is used as a hobby or if you get paid. There is more risk of theft for a professional photographer at a wedding than a hobbiest taking pictures at the wedding even if they both have the same equipment. Also the hobbiest will most likely not be taking pictures every weekend. With most companies it depends on if the equipment is used for profit of just as a hobby. If you are just a hobbiest coverage can usually be "ridered" onto a homeowners or renters policy fairly inexpensively, and the coverage is not restricted to just the USA, but be an informed consumer and ask, also READ the policy. Most policies have been made much easier to read over the last 10-20 years. You give the company a list of the items and the values and you get a "schedule" of the covered equipment. If you EVER and I mean EVER get paid for or sell your work you need a commercial policy, sometimes referred to an "Inland Marine Policy".

Photoguard.co.uk only applies to UK residents...

 

Any for other locales? Asia?

 

Thanks for any responses in advance!

 

:p