Camera insurance

In deciding whether to insure something, I compare cost, risk, and my ability to pay if I incur a loss.

So I don't normally insure my cameras because the cost is high in relation to the normal risk, and if any one or two items are lost it won't totally break the bank to replace them. In the last twenty years I have only had a couple of breakages (both recently - getting clumsy), and the cost of that has been less than one year's premium.

However, thanks to Mr Blair's fondness for going to war in partnership with Mr Bush, we are now unable to carry cameras with us on aircraft, and have to put them in the hold. As a result, I reckon that the risk/cost-to-insure balance has now tipped in favour of insuring.

I know that insurance is offered on this site, but does anybody have any other suggestions. I don't wish to mix camera and household insurance, and I will want all-risks cover.

G

George, I think specialist insurance still costs too much to be worthwhile. like you what I've lost over thirty years is less than a years premium. If you are using the kit for amateur use you are probably covered on a household all risks policy anyway, you usually have to tell them about individual items worth more than £1k or thereabouts.

Ken

Don't forget that most insurance policies exclude loss or damage from acts of terrorism, so there could be a weasel-like way for the companies to wriggle out of paying up anyway.

Put cameras in the hold? I don't think so...So I may well not be flying anywhere.

well, when you've spent most of your life having to put everything in the hold... I'm talking about 30 flight cases plus personal luggage... I dont think its really such a big deal... just pack it well. If you use softish cases like Lowepro or Billingham pack them in a proper hard flight case, they really are quite cheap. Easily secured by split rings or gaffa tape.

I'm more concerned about theft, or the luggage ending up in Honolulu when I'm in Patagonia, than I am about damage.

And I would miss my 77!

G

Hi I'm new here! I recently faced this problem for a trip to Boston. Luckily from Holland the hand baggage restrictions are not as strict as from the UK, so my Tamrac Explorer 5 rucksack went on board with me full of gear.
I ended up taking out a specialist insurance - 220 euros a year for 4000 euros cover, and it covers checked items for loss theft damge etc. I did it through the Dutch TV PBS type organisation even though I am nothing to do with them
The alternative was an extra insurance attached to my household insurance to cover valuables, but the other one was was cheaper with better conditions.

Add up how much equipment you have and decide if it's worth it. I was shocked to total mine up and find it came to so much!

If you do check your gear use a hard case (such as a Pelican) but if you are flying to the US you can only use TSA approved locks, or they may break into your case.

I agree with Ken, check your houshold policy and/or have a chat with your insurers,

I got £4000 cover for personal possessions away from home (including accidental damage) for not much more than a specific camera insurance would have cost for £2000 worth of kit, plus I didn't have to specify items so it covers me for anything, the only thing we had to itemise was the wifes engagement ring which has obviously increased in value over the years taking it over the £1k threshold for specified items. True I paid £1200 for my istD but that was with lens, CF card and AF360FGZ but they are still individual items.

IMO specific camera insurance is for pro's who need immiediate replacement or hire cover.

Do check that your gear is covered if you check it as baggage on a flight - many household insurances and travel insurance don't cover that - or things being stolen from a hotel room unless there is proof of a break in. They say you should put your gear in a safe - but have they seen the size of the average hotel room safe??????

George,

I'm flying to Spain next week and your statement about not being able to carry cameras onboard got me more than a tad worried, so I checked.

The following is an extract of Ryanair's baggage restrictions as of todays date, 9/9/2006 :-

Cabin/hand baggage MUST NOT contain:

Any cosmetics
Any toiletries
Any liquids
Any drinks
Cigarette lighters
No gels, pastes, lotions, (e.g. toothpaste, hair gel, drinks, deodorant, shaving foam, aerosols, etc.)
Nothing must be carried in pockets.

Cabin baggage CAN contain the following:

Electronic equipment, including laptops, mobile phones and portable music and DVD players.
Prescribed medicines in liquid form e.g. diabetic medicines
Baby milk and liquid baby food (the contents of each bottle MUST be tasted by the parent)
All electronic equipment will need to be removed from the item of hand baggage and screened separately.
Pushchairs and walking aids will be permitted but must be x-ray screened and searched.

Whilst cameras are not specifically mentioned, I'm assuming that they would be included under the 'electronic equipment' heading.

Has anybody who has flown recently had any problems carrying cameras onboard?

I also would never commit my camera gear to be checked in.

Department of Transport ruling on cabin baggage can be found here and it also does not exclude cameras, only liquids and containers capable of carrying liquids.

stupid airline restrictions.
safety is an illusion.
All one has to do to circumvent, is copy drug mules, by swallowing the explosives.
maybe we'll all find ourselves renting gear at our destinations?

Peter,

Thanks for that clarification. It does seem that the draconian restrictions imposed after the alleged aircraft bomb conspiracy have now been eased considerably.

Thanks too to others for their comments. As things now stand, it looks as though insurance is not required.

G

I think its important to note that it is not airlines themselves that have imposed these latest restrictions, but the Department of Transport. That's not to say that individual airlines don't impose additional restrictions like Ryanair's 'Nothing to be carried in pockets' restriction. There is no mention of this on the DoT site so I'm assuming its a Ryanair add-on.
Prior to the recent terrorist plot (failed) I used to always take an old car coat on each flight, even in summer, because it's litttered with pockets. If I filled them wisely, I managed to get an extra 5 - 8Kg onboard, legitimately. Camera in one pocket, iPod, GPS, lenses, batteries etc. in others. The restrictions then only applied to baggage weight, not personal clothing and its contents. With Ryanair at least, that has changed. Thankfully my next trip to Spain will be my last for a while as I have no immediate plans to return to UK unless a business or family emergency crops up.

You can carry cameras on board. They don't even examine them like they do laptops. But the bag size restriction flying from (and to) the UK (the size of a small laptop bag) means that any big lenses are a problem. I wouldn't be able to carry my Bigma on a flight to or from the UK for instance. Luckily I usually drive if I visit the old country.
I hadn't heard of the Ryanair restriction. That seems a bit draconian to me. Afterall if you empty your pockets to go through security I can't see that it matters too much what you have in them after that.

Oh on another pount electronic keyfobs - so for cars with a remote locking system have to be checked! Just hope they don't lose your bags! A friend of mine was left without bag, car or house keys after a recent trip to Birmingham.

Gwyn,

Where have you seen the restriction on carrying electronic keyfobs ? I can't find any reference to it.

Most cars, manufactured in the last 10 years or more, have remote locking. If these items are banned from cabin/personal baggage, what happens when you arrive at security check with them?

Maybe it is just flying to the US that they are banned. I know we couldn't take ours, but were warned beforehand about it. I believe you have the option of having them posted back to your house - at your expense of course!