[Bobinstow]

I am lookinhg into taking out some insurance for my camera etc as I take it abroad on several occasions. Has anyone got any advice or comments?

[Dabhand16]

Check out what you can get on your household policy. Often the best value for ordinary usage.

[VikingPhotography]

Call Towergate Camerasure; after I lost £8K worth of gear, they got me back up and running in no time - an excellent company who I'd recommend to everyone. Just google them and you'll get contact info.

[Dave]

For the normal bod, I would also recommend looking at household insurance.

[Charlotte]

I've just taken out a household insurance policy with optional "away from home" equipment, i.e. for my camera gear. I went through Confused.com and chose to go with Marks & Spencer, who have given me a very good deal (my policy doc's arrived today) for a very reasonable premium. The main thing I like about this policy is that there are no limitations or maximum values, it is very open + flexible, with no need to list individual items. It's very uncomplicated. Oh and is on a "new for old" basis.

If you fancy this one, give me a shout, I have vouchers for a discount for anyone I introduce ... ok so I get a discount too

[Dave]

Mmmm, Dave realises none of his gear is insured when out & about Time to follow my own advice

[Bobinstow]

Dave - they tell me the home insurance is good or if you have a word with Charlotte there could be some discount involved !!!!!!!!
PS - thanks for all your advice

[Dave Canon]

My equipment is covered under my home insurance. A couple of points to watch. Camera equipment is covered under Personal items which is all risk in my policy. You obviously need to ensure you have sufficient to cover the new value of all of your equipment plus all your other personal items, jewellery, watches,portable music devices etc. Fortunately we have almost no jewellery so I can concentrate my cover on the important stuff. On my policy, personal items are covered for about 1 month away from home including overseas though some countries may be excluded. I have also noted that there is a limit of £1,000 for items stolen from an unoccupied car so I always take my kit with me even if I do not plan to take a photograph.

There is a £1500 limit on a single item. I enquired about this because one of my lenses cost almost that alone and if you add the camera body, it is well over the limit. My insurance company told me that if I bought the camera with a lens, then that would be a single item but lenses are considered separate items if they were purchased separately. You may need to keep receipts to prove this.

I preferred the situation about 25 years ago when I supplied a complete list of my equipment with serial numbers. When I had to claim after several items were stolen from an overseas hotel room, there was no doubt as to what was insured and I received full payment.

I think independent camera equipment insurance probably costs more unless you do it through a camera club but such insurance is probably essential for professionals.

Dave

[muscle750]

I have took various steps to prove what was owned etc, this includes serial numbers and actual photographs of the kit etc, I still have all the boxes and paperwork as well.
Just glad i dont live in Tewkesbury and have a £20k excess on the policy against flooding, moral of the story dont leave the camera on the ground floor if it starts raining!