White Water Rafting - Insurance - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM

08/09/2005 02:35:04 AM · #1

Hello, I have an opportunity to go white water rafting, and would like to take the Pentax with me.

What I'm wondering is, does anyone know if insurance is available for this type of thing to a non-professional/commercial owner, and if so, where'd you'd purchase that kind of thing from? I'd need it to cover any and all damage incurred from impact, submersion, moisture, etc.

There are no water-tight housings for the *ist Ds, so what would you suggest for spray-protection? I was thinking a good heavier duty plastic with elastics.. any hints on this as well?

Am I better off just leaving the camera at home and saving myself heartache.. or would that mean being a wimpy not-so-much-photographer? hehe.

Oh.. the stress!

Makka

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

08/09/2005 02:43:16 AM · #2

You could maybe try your home/contents insurer and see if maybe they'll let you 'specify' the item! But I wouldn't tell them where you're going!

PhilipDyer

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS

08/09/2005 02:44:17 AM · #3

Hi Glen,

I think just a standard renter's or homeowner's insurance ought to cover something like this. If you have that, you should be fine. I don't know about specific policies just to cover trips, but they probably do exist.

I would be worried about putting your primary camera in a situation where you are almost guaranteed to damage it. In this case, I would probably just go buy a few disposable waterproof cameras or maybe rent a waterproof unit just for the trip (with whatever insurance they offer). Imagine how worried you'll be about keeping your poor Pentax dry the whole time - you might as well just remove that worry entirely.

Have a great trip!

ShutterPug

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS

08/09/2005 02:45:48 AM · #4

As far as insurance - check with your home owners if you have it. My agent says my camera is covered no matter where I take it. We pay for replacement covereage on everything.

As for water proofing - not sure if using a heavy duty bag would do it. I would be too afraid of the raft dumping me and my camera under water. I would be a wimp and leave in the car.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

08/09/2005 03:00:37 AM · #5

Originally posted by PhilipDyer:

Ooo.. disposable waterproof camera.. I didn't even think of that.. but then, I'd be shooting film.. blech. (hehe).. but then, I could just get them to put it on CD and have editing at my fingertips...

Spork99

OM System OM-1

08/09/2005 08:28:59 AM · #6

Originally posted by Artyste:

Originally posted by PhilipDyer:
Hi Glen,

I think just a standard renter's or homeowner's insurance ought to cover something like this. If you have that, you should be fine. I don't know about specific policies just to cover trips, but they probably do exist.

I would be worried about putting your primary camera in a situation where you are almost guaranteed to damage it. In this case, I would probably just go buy a few disposable waterproof cameras or maybe rent a waterproof unit just for the trip (with whatever insurance they offer). Imagine how worried you'll be about keeping your poor Pentax dry the whole time - you might as well just remove that worry entirely.

Have a great trip!

Ooo.. disposable waterproof camera.. I didn't even think of that.. but then, I'd be shooting film.. blech. (hehe).. but then, I could just get them to put it on CD and have editing at my fingertips...

You could try the unofficial rental program, just buy a waterproof digital and hey, whaddaya know Pentax even makes a couple, use it for the trip, then sell it.

Consider the difference as your rental fee.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

08/09/2005 01:46:28 PM · #7

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Originally posted by Artyste:

Originally posted by PhilipDyer:
Hi Glen,

I think just a standard renter's or homeowner's insurance ought to cover something like this. If you have that, you should be fine. I don't know about specific policies just to cover trips, but they probably do exist.

I would be worried about putting your primary camera in a situation where you are almost guaranteed to damage it. In this case, I would probably just go buy a few disposable waterproof cameras or maybe rent a waterproof unit just for the trip (with whatever insurance they offer). Imagine how worried you'll be about keeping your poor Pentax dry the whole time - you might as well just remove that worry entirely.

Have a great trip!

Ooo.. disposable waterproof camera.. I didn't even think of that.. but then, I'd be shooting film.. blech. (hehe).. but then, I could just get them to put it on CD and have editing at my fingertips...

You could try the unofficial rental program, just buy a waterproof digital and hey, whaddaya know Pentax even makes a couple, use it for the trip, then sell it.

Consider the difference as your rental fee.

I would, but I don't have the spare buckos to buy anything

Canon EOS-20D

08/09/2005 01:52:03 PM · #8

Originally posted by Artyste:

.. but then, I'd be shooting film.. blech.

Of course, if the alternative is to possibly drop, submerge or otherwise ruin your camera, you wouldn't be shooting anything at all. EVER AGAIN.

kearock

Nikon D90

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

08/09/2005 01:53:18 PM · #9

This wont work if you want to use it while in rapids, but for flatwater canoing I've put my camera in a dry bag and only taken it out when I want to take a photo, and at that point used the neck strap. As long as there's no danger of you going overboard and taking the camera with you, this works pretty well, but for whitewater rafting this would probably mean tying the bag into the boat while in rapids, so probably wouldn't be the most convenient. I think if I were doing this I would take one of my olded digital cameras that I'm less attached to in a dry bag to use when not in rapids and a disposable waterproof to use in the rapids and get a CD with the developing.