Equipment Insurance

Hi.

Can anyone help?

I am currently in the process of renewing my business and home insurance policies. In the past my photographic equipment has always been insured via our companies policy (as a hobby), however this will not be possible in the forthcoming year. Also my home policy with Churchill is now up for renewal.

Churchill has declined due to the fact that they do not insure home business's.

Can anyone suggest a good company for home contents + photographic equipment which may in the very near future, be used for business purposes?

If so do you have any contact details please?

Best regards.

John F

I have my business equipment insurance through NANPA. It is worth the annual membership fee as the price for the insurance is quite reasonable.

http://www.nanpa.org/

Greg Downing wrote:I have my business equipment insurance through NANPA. It is worth the annual membership fee as the price for the insurance is quite reasonable.

Hey Greg..

Is NANPA's insurance still through Chubb or Rand??

Just curious..

Cheers,

Mark in Austin

mwagner1 wrote:

Greg Downing wrote:I have my business equipment insurance through NANPA. It is worth the annual membership fee as the price for the insurance is quite reasonable.

Hey Greg..

Is NANPA's insurance still through Chubb or Rand??

Just curious..

Cheers,

Mark in Austin

Rand (sp?)

Greg,

Yes, NANPA's insurance is through Rand Insurance of New Canaan CT..I guess that they no longer work with Chubb Insurance....It seems like when they first started that member insurance program, both Chubb and Rand were avaliable.

I remember that BMW NA had a "special" deal with Chubb...all I ever heard was that the rates were incredibly expensive. I no longer see Chubb mentioned on BMW's site either.

So it looks like Rand is now the only insurance company for NANPA....

Cheers,

Mark in Austin

NANPA insurance is through Rand Insurance, http://www.randinsurance.com, but I am fairly certain it is underwritten by Chubb.

My own equipment insurance is with the same company where I have all my other policies - State Farm. I set up a separate policy for the equipment and pay the business rate to insure equipment used for business purposes.

Heather Forcier wrote: My own equipment insurance is with the same company where I have all my other policies - State Farm. I set up a separate policy for the equipment and pay the business rate to insure equipment used for business purposes.

Heather...

Does this just apply for people who use their camera gear for business purposes?? What about us mere mortals who have high dollar gear but do not use it for "business" purposes??

Just curious, as I have my gear listed on my homeowners. Is something like Rand (through NANPA) worth the extra $$$. Or does the homeowners's stop when you become a pro??

Thanks!!!

Mark in Austin

Check the threads in the UK Photographics forum. If you are selling any images most insurance companies will class you as semi-professional and will not insure your gear as part of your home contents. I renewed with Glover & Howe last year. Their cover is equipment specific plus public liability, which you should have as well.

info@gloverhowe.co.uk

Tel 01206 814502

mwagner1 wrote:Does this just apply for people who use their camera gear for business purposes?? What about us mere mortals who have high dollar gear but do not use it for "business" purposes??

State Farm, and I assume others, offer what is called a Personal Articles policy that is an "all risk" insurance if you do not make money using your gear. I am 100% positive mere mortals qualify. It is covered for replacement value no matter what happens to it or where - with NO deductible.

If you are selling your images, they can set up up with an Inland Marine policy, also all risk - no deductibles - and may require you to have a commercial policy for an 'in home studio' depending on which underwriter they go with.

Greg,

I was going to go with my State Farm homeowners policy also as you have. I checked into what they offered and it seemed perfect. However, when I posted a reply on the old fourm that State Farm will also insure for business purposes someone checked into it for business purposes and replied with:

"They will insure your equipment ON PREMISES, but NOT IF YOU ARE IN THE FIELD (i.e. in the woods). Under those circumstances you are considered free-lance, and they offer NO coverage as they say it is too high-risk. This information came directly from their home office this morning, so I'd advise any of you who have State Farm coverage to double-check with them."

I haven't had a chance to follow up on this with my agent. You might want to double check with yours.

Scott

Mark wrote:

mwagner1 wrote:Does this just apply for people who use their camera gear for business purposes?? What about us mere mortals who have high dollar gear but do not use it for "business" purposes??

State Farm, and I assume others, offer what is called a Personal Articles policy that is an "all risk" insurance if you do not make money using your gear. I am 100% positive mere mortals qualify. It is covered for replacement value no matter what happens to it or where - with NO deductible.

FWIW, I am a "mere mortal" and qualified for a Personal Articles policy through StateFarm. The rates are quite reasonable. Luckily, I have not had to test the policy, but at any rate, it is giving me some peace of mind.

My policy with State Farm is a separate policy. My agent was careful to make sure I was insured at a business level by asking if I had ever sold a single print. There was a lower price for the non-business coverage.

Upon getting my policy, I presented several odd but possible scenarios to make sure I would be covered. Like, what if I'm photographing from a boat and my camera with lens falls into the water? Or, if I'm photographing a moose in the woods on a tripod and I get rushed and when I move the tripod and entire system gets mowed over? I was assured with each scenario that I was covered.

I used my Personal Articles policy, before I upgraded to a commercial policy, a couple of times on a flooded Nikonos V. It was actually a pretty easy process. I called in the claim, sent it in for repair and then sent the repair bill to State Farm. They turned around and sent me a check.