Gear Insurance.

d3sl91 · October 27, 2015

Hey All,

Well, after a helpful thread earlier this week, I have decided on a new camera. Within the next few months, I will be carrying around $3k+ of camera gear.

What are folks' recommendation for proper (if it gets stolen, it gets replaced) insurance.

Also, would that cover my own negligence? If not, what insurance to get to cover me getting my gear crushed on a plane, or, dropping it in the sand.

ALwin · October 27, 2015

You'd have to check what types of insurance coverage policies exist where you live, either in the city or in the state. But even insurance will not provide protection for photos lost if you lose the memory card(s).

Maybe the insurance policy you have for your home, apartment, etc. can also cover your gear. You really have to check. Otherwise getting a separate insurance for your camera gear may prove expensive, unless you have a high income or if you're earning money with your camera. International coverage will be even more expensive.

Here are some links to insurance guides.

https://fstoppers.com/business/down-and-dirty-photographers-insurance-55324

http://www.popphoto.com/how-to/2013/05/how-to-insure-your-camera-gear

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Photography-Tips/insurance.aspx

Additionally, besides insurance, you also need to be pro-active in keeping your gear safe. Avoid putting them in checked luggage, better to have them as carry on. Don't leave them in your car overnight, if there is a chance that someone could break in and steal them. Try to avoid being a target.* Always backup your photos, keep track of your gear. Register them on sites such as LensTag** https://www.lenstag.com

If you are sharing your gear with friends or colleagues who have similar gear, mark your gear so that you can identify that it's yours at the end of the day when everyone is ready to pack up. Register your gear on the manufacturer's websites as soon as you buy them.

*I never use the included camera strap that has in big yellow or white lettering "Nikon Dxxx" or "Canon XXD, I always get a third party strap. The included straps are like big neon signs that say "Hey! I'm a good target for mugging." I put duct tape or electrical tape on my gear to make it look shabby, I use colored electrical tape so that when I'm at a photo shoot I can quickly identify the gear as mine when sharing lenses or spare batteries. Of course I don't share my gear with people I don't know.

**LensTag is a free service where you register the serial number of your gear along with a photo to show proof of ownership. So if your gear gets stolen and someone else posts a photo of (for example, the lens that was stolen) the gear's serial number or a photo which contains the serial number in the metadata, it can be tracked down.