Consider Camera Insurance

Camera Insurance can be quite complex and it is vital that you buy the correct policy that meets your needs.

Cameras can be extremely costly items so adequate cover is essential.

Factors to consider when choosing your camera insurance:

• Do you want cover for amateur Camera Insurance? This will include insurance for anyone who is not making money from the images produced from their photography.


• Do you need professional Camera Insurance? This cover is for those people who make any kind of income from their camera and camera equipment.


• Do you want room only insurance? The camera is insured for use in a specific room only.


• All risk insurance; the camera is covered for use in all areas and abroad.


• In vehicle cover; not all Camera Insurance policies will include theft from vehicles and those that do may insist that the camera is kept in a lockable compartment within the car, so it will not be insured if left on a seat. Optional extensions to this can be for unattended vehicle cover.


• For really expensive equipment it is worth considering the unlimited worldwide cover offered with some policies.


• You need to consider the type of camera to be insured. To keep the process simple, categorise them as cameras or camcorders.

Your Insurance Policy

When looking for the ideal Camera Insurance policy the following points should be taken into consideration:

• Value

  The value of the camera and any other camera equipment you wish to insure.



• Accidental Damage

  You need to look carefully to see what is included under accidental damage; it may not include liquid damage or damage caused by grit and sand.



• Theft of camera and equipment

  Unfortunately there have been many fraudulent claims made regarding cameras that have been stolen, with some claims being made for very valuable equipment when in fact the stolen item was worth much less.
  
  Therefore it is strongly advised that you keep all receipts to prove where and when you bought the camera and for how much money. Try and take some photographs of the camera and all the camera equipment included in the policy.
  
  You will also need a crime number for any theft claim so please contact the police as soon as the camera and/or equipment have been stolen.



• Breakdown Cover

  Breakdown cover is often provided for at least one year when cameras are bought new. If you wish to continue this cover on your Camera Insurance policy make this is made clear from the start.
  
  You can buy extended warranty for cameras when they are first bought, so this could be investigated as a possible cost effective alternative.



• Public Liability Cover

  For a professional Camera Insurance policy you will need to have public liability cover. You may also want to include cover for any equipment that needs to be hired should your own equipment break down or be stolen.



• New for Old

  Some policies offer “New for Old” cover so if your camera is stolen or completely destroyed in an accident you could receive a new camera of similar quality to your old one. Check this type of cover carefully as some policies have an age restriction so cameras of a certain age are no longer included (in many cases cameras over 2 years old will no be longer eligible).



• Including other equipment on the policy

  You may wish to include other items such as additional lenses, film, tripods, filters, battery packs and chargers, lighting and flash equipment. Be very specific about the make and value of each of these.



• Discounts

  Some Camera Insurance companies will now offer discount if the policy is purchased on line.



• Claim Limits

  Many policies have a maximum limit that you can make on any claim. Check that this is sufficient to meet your needs before you buy.

General Exclusions to Camera Insurance

The following events are not generally included in Camera Insurance policies:

• Damage due to wear and tear.
• The cost of having your camera cleaned.
• Damage from insects, sand, dust and leaking batteries.
• Scratched lenses.

When you are buying any Camera Insurance policy provide as much information to the insurance company or broker as you can, and this will help you gain the right cover for you.