[VikingPhotography]

The short story: my Slingshot 200 bag and contents - 2 x D2X, 17-55 lens, 12-24 lens, cable release, memory cards - took a nosedive down a 40 foot embankment above a waterway this morning; I heard a few crashes and a splash that probably means the entire lot is at the bottom of the Rotten Calder (a local tributary river that flows into the Clyde). I did try to find a safe route to the waterside to no avail, so I'm having to write the lot off.

I've contacted my insurer to begin the claims process and will advise you all how it goes. The insurer is Towergate Camerasure and, in total, I'm having to claim for just over £8K in losses.

I've already been advised that there's a £150 excess and, since I'm VAT registered, I need to pay the VAT portion of the settlement and claim it back on my next return. So far, this experience is going to set me back about £1300 in the short term.

[Dave]

Ouch .... at least the D3's will be coming soon

[fionaB]

owwwwwwwwww thats a painful experience!

[WOODY]

Really Back Luck Vp, I Hope You Win The Battle With Your Insurance Company.

[Charlotte]

Ouch indeed! How did it happen?

I'm trying to make the gear you mention add up to £8k (It does if I substitute D3's for the D2X's)

Most importantly, how long do you think 'til you're back up and running?

[VikingPhotography]

Charlotte;

The D2X's were insured for £3300 each, being the average price of a D2Xs at the time I took out the insurance. Factoring for the other bits takes the claim to just over £8K.

I hope to be back up and running very quickly since I called Calumet for a quote and found out that the Glasgow branch has pretty much everything in stock. My insurers can accept a pro-forma invoice from them and pay them directly, less the excess and the VAT... hence the £1300 initial costs to me.

I fly out to Las Vegas on the morning of the 21st, so essentially I need to have this resolved in just two weeks. Push come to shove, I can probably hire or borrow some kit for the assignment, but I'd rather that the insurer does their bit promptly.

As to how it happened - well, I was unclipping my dog from her lead and she rocketed off after something, knocking me off balance in the process. The bag was the casualty of the whole escapade.

[Charlotte]

Assume you're getting D3's as replacements

Best of luck VP, hope the insurance company comes through for you

[P-E]

Hope everything gets sorted quickly for you VP.

[JMitchell]

Very bad luck VP, but like mentioned, if it's an new for old basis, then perhaps 2 D3s will be on their way to you Here's hoping it all goes well

[talk2me9]

Hi
Painful experience...Can I ask how much your premium was to cover this kit? I work for a major Insurance company and have had dealings with Towergate...they are a greedy company in terms of commission they charge!
£8000 is a lot of kit, but for the average person here I would recommend taking out Unspecified Personal Belongings on their House insurance which usually covers upto about £1500 - £2000 (check policy wording to make sure this includes camera equipment!). If this doesn't cover it then take out Specified Personal Belongings for Camera Equipment which is an additional cover on House Insurance, usually upto about £10000 in total. The important point about these covers is that they cover stuff where the claim originates outside the home. If you read your policy wording on your contents insurance you may find there is a certain amount of accidental damage cover included if you damage camera in the home.
Anyway, thats enough about insurance...I've left work for the day!
Good luck with your claim.
Andy

[VikingPhotography]

Andy

I elected to pay £62/month over 10 months... not bad for a total sum insured of £18K, giving me full UK + 45 days worldwide.

[WOODY]

Vp Are You Going To Hire Equipment For Your Las Vegas Trip, Or Is That Now Canceled .

[Anthraquinone]

Nasty I bet you said "Oh gosh" when it happened

Hope it all goes well for you with your claim.

[Charlotte]

Originally Posted by WOODY

Vp Are You Going To Hire Equipment For Your Las Vegas Trip, Or Is That Now Canceled .

Woody ...

Originally Posted by VikingPhotography

... I fly out to Las Vegas on the morning of the 21st, so essentially I need to have this resolved in just two weeks. Push come to shove, I can probably hire or borrow some kit for the assignment, but I'd rather that the insurer does their bit promptly.