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11/30/2005 11:40:10 AM · #1 |
I just got off the phone with my homeowners insurance. They will not insure my cameras if they are for professional use (e.g., tax deducted earnings from my camera).
They are otherwise a great insurance company, but they do only home not professional, and they are already stretched covering my home office equipment for my consulting business. So she also just told me that when I travel, my laptop coverage is only $250!
Anyone have a good insurance company (US) and policy to suggest? I searched the web for camera insurance, and I get mostly UK companies.
Edit: If possible, I don't want to change my homeowner's policy. I am othewise really happy with my company.
Thanks--Neil
Message edited by author 2005-11-30 11:40:46.
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11/30/2005 11:52:15 AM · #2 |
StateFarm has been my home insurance for 5years, and car almost a year. They tell me my equipment is covered under my home owners policy, but then again, I dont use it for commercial work, as of yet.
Check around. |
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11/30/2005 11:58:50 AM · #3 |
Neil,
You might try looking for business insurance rather than camera insurance specifically. A business insurance policy would have a section to cover any equipment used in the business.
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11/30/2005 11:59:42 AM · #4 |
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11/30/2005 12:00:16 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by steveh552:
StateFarm has been my home insurance for 5years, and car almost a year. They tell me my equipment is covered under my home owners policy, but then again, I dont use it for commercial work, as of yet.
Check around. |
Ah, but does it cover if your stuff gets stolen while out shooting? Does it cover damage?
I've got a rider on my home ploicy through Allstate that covers my more expensive equipment. It eve covers accidental damage, even if I drop a lens, etc. Mind you, my stuff is also not for commercial use.
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11/30/2005 12:04:07 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by Beagleboy:
Originally posted by steveh552:
StateFarm has been my home insurance for 5years, and car almost a year. They tell me my equipment is covered under my home owners policy, but then again, I dont use it for commercial work, as of yet.
Check around. |
Ah, but does it cover if your stuff gets stolen while out shooting? Does it cover damage?
I've got a rider on my home ploicy through Allstate that covers my more expensive equipment. It eve covers accidental damage, even if I drop a lens, etc. Mind you, my stuff is also not for commercial use. |
Yes, they would cover it under a rider 100% if it's not for commercial use. But while I don't get paid to go out to take photos, when you sell your photos, you get into a gray area between professional and amateur.
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11/30/2005 12:10:39 PM · #7 |
If you work professinally (i.e. you charge) for your work, then you should have insurance - liability as well as insurance on the items of the business. You should also check with your car insurance folks to see if using a car for business is a covered item. One policy i had specifically exempted coverage for certain uses (pizza delivery, courier, taxi, etc)
For example, i am shooting pets for the holiday season. if someone were to knock over a light and it breaks, i am out the light. Even with a $500 deductible, i will be buying a light. It's not worth a claim for a few hundred dollars. IF the light should fall on someone, then i need liability insurance. My homeowners will cover sometthings, but NOT business related. If there is a loophole and the insurance company can avoid paying, they will!
Also consider this - i recently changed homeowners insurance companies to save $125 a year. The new agent is very nice and knowledgable, and willing to explain things. The industry now has an insurance score, like a credit score. Your credit score is part of it. I got a new credit card to take advantage of a 3.9% balance transfer rate - and my home owners insurance went up $30 a year beacause of it! (my insurance score changed). also, a claim, even if it is denied, will cost you money as well.
I hadn't even considered the home office issue...business insurance is one of next year's priorities.
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11/30/2005 12:17:20 PM · #8 |
*whisper*
Hill Usher
*/whisper*
;)
Hill Usher is fantastic to work with, they work with photography pros as a group so they know your needs, they are extremely knowledgable, great customer service and excellent coverage. I checked out riders and TFC and Hill Usher and definitely HU made the most sense.
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11/30/2005 12:28:39 PM · #9 |
I pay about $40 a year for a personal articles policy through State Farm that covers my camera equipment.
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11/30/2005 12:51:33 PM · #10 |
I pay $90/year to insure $9000.00 of photo equipment. And I'm covered for everything! If I drop it, smash it over some Canon guy's head, take underwater photos without a cassing.... "all risk". :-)
oops forgot to add that it's with Allstate.
Message edited by author 2005-11-30 12:52:00.
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11/30/2005 12:56:49 PM · #11 |
Yanik and others: Do you tell them you have a "photography business" or do they consider it personal? Because if my equipment is only personal, then I am covered on my homeowners (and for full coverage for $42 per year), but to use it as part of a business, I am not covered at all.
Matt: I sent in a quote request for the photographers insurance from Hill Usher (thanks!), but that's a bit weird for me because I do not currently do "work for hire", which is I think the majority they are covering.
I guess I need to expand my search for a better business policy for my home based consulting business that could cover my equipment for a "startup" leg of my business in stock photography and print sales. Or a policy for my camera equipment that doesn't care how I am using it, business or pleasure.
Message edited by author 2005-11-30 13:02:38.
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11/30/2005 01:11:30 PM · #12 |
As per Mavriks link:
HillUsher
Package Choice™ is a comprehensive, multi-insurance carrier program designed in partnership with Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) and administered by Hill & Usher Insurance & Surety. Since 1996, hundreds of professional photographers throughout the United States have come to rely on the program for complete business insurance protection.
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11/30/2005 01:14:32 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by nshapiro:
Yanik and others: Do you tell them you have a "photography business" or do they consider it personal? Because if my equipment is only personal, then I am covered on my homeowners (and for full coverage for $42 per year), but to use it as part of a business, I am not covered at all.
Matt: I sent in a quote request for the photographers insurance from Hill Usher (thanks!), but that's a bit weird for me because I do not currently do "work for hire", which is I think the majority they are covering.
I guess I need to expand my search for a better business policy for my home based consulting business that could cover my equipment for a "startup" leg of my business in stock photography and print sales. Or a policy for my camera equipment that doesn't care how I am using it, business or pleasure. |
It's considered professionnal equipment so was not covered under homeowners.
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11/30/2005 01:28:33 PM · #14 |
Several years ago I was involved with an organization which provided advanced emergency medical service in support of local volunteer amublance services. We had $40,000 worth of equipment in a station wagon. The type of insurance we carried for it was called inland marine insurance. This is specifically designed to cover items which are intransit of frequently moved and used in different locations. I don't think it is based on specific useage, rather the actual value of the items. Perhaps I just identified the type of insurancw we have been discussing, or perhaps this is something to look into.
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11/30/2005 01:44:01 PM · #15 |
//www.taylorinsurance.com/still_photo.html
Message edited by author 2005-11-30 13:45:05.
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