Have you insured your camera?? Shortly after I got my first DSLR, I called my insurance company to get it insured. (Thanks to the nagging encouragement from my dad :O) It only took about 10 minutes and it was so much easier than I thought. Due to the insurance we already had, it didn’t cost me ANYTHING to add my camera to my policy. This meant that if I dropped my camera, it was stolen, or if my husband ran it over with a car I could get a new one at no cost to me. What are you waiting for?? PLEASE insure your camera!!
Part of the reason I’m writing this is because I haven’t insured my newest camera. So let’s do it together! I’m going to call my insurance company this week…are you???
Is your camera insured??
Such a great reminder! I have all of my equipment insured EXCEPT my new Canon 7D! My old rebel was insured and I need to update the info! Thanks!
I did this recently. It did cost us a little extra, but not much, and it’s well worth it for the peace of mind.
Love the perspective in that shot! It looks like a giant xylophone, but maybe that’s a lollipop in her hand?
What companies you guys are using. I really need to insure my 100mm macro
We use USAA :O)
I use USAA too! Do you have a rider to your home owner’s insurance exclusively for your camera equipment or is it part of your home policy?
I have no idea :) I just spoke with someone in the insurance part, told them my story and they helped me :)
And if anyone is wondering how much it costs if it isn’t covered under the home, mine was about $65 for about $4000 worth of gear. Not too bad for peace of mind!
Thanks for sharing that Laurie!! Definitely worth knowing all your gear is safe!!
Love that picture so much! My USAA policy covers everything I own up to $1,000, I think–if the object is worth more than that I have to get a special policy. So I’m good…for this camera!
This has been on my mind as well. I need to call my insurance company ASAP and get my all my camera gear added to my policy. Thanks for the reminder!
this is such a good idea! I need to call my insurance company!
Wow, I never thought of that. My current equipment is pretty modest, but that is definitely something to keep in mind for the future.
Four months after I bought my first DSLR, I accidentally bumped the release lever on my tripod, and the camera fell and hit the concrete. It was totally mangled (they quoted $300 in repairs, I paid $450 — no way!) A couple months after, I bought my d90 and made SURE to insure it! I bought a Mack 4 yr. plan. I did not know that I could insure it through my insurance… good to know for the future though. I learned my lesson. Gotta insure your camera!
And now that I’m thinking about it – duh, of course my insurance would have covered it. Just didn’t think of that at the time ;).
I had never thought of that, honestly. I figured it would be something only professionals would do. Since I am not a professional and have no immediate plans of becoming one, I didn’t even realize I could do it. It makes sense. I feel really dumb right now. So I am calling my insurance company this week. I bought a 7D last month that I would really like to be covered. Thank you so much!
Here is a fabulous 2 part post on why you need insurance on your equipment. The author had her camera bag stolen during a shoot and she talks about exactly what she had to do to get it replaced. It is FULL of great information! http://growyourphotobusiness.com/camera-equipment-insurance/
Great reminder! I’ll make sure all of my gear is on there. Thanks for mentioning it!
OMG, thanks for the reminder. I’ve been meaning to do this since I bought it! Calling now!
I need to insure my 7D – thanks for the reminder
I insured my camera when I created my photography studio; I learned that if I was bringing people onto my property to take pictures, then my home owners insurance wouldn’t cover anything. I started looking into insurance and went ahead and signed up for a policy to cover my camera and gear. Glad that I did too.
Thank you for this tip! I did not even think about this but I’m sure my hubby would be happy since he doesn’t necessarily jump for joy when I buy new equipment. :)
I never even thought about this! I just got a new camera today and I got it insured. It’s only $6 a year… which is much better than buying a 3 year warranty for $80! Thank you!
Just insured my camera and lens last night! Quick and painless! Thanks for the reminder.
Hey everyone — I’m an insurance agent and just wanted to tell you — MOST policies will cover the camera body without a limit, as long as you’re not using the camera for business pursuits. It’s the additional equipment that needs to be listed in a rider to your homeowners policy: lenses, bags, tripods, etc. And keep in mind – if any of that stuff has to be replaced, its generally subject to your homeowners insurance deductible, unless you have it covered under a business policy. Remember – all companies are different, so be sure you check with your agent. But whatever you need to do: GET IT COVERED!!!
Hey Heidi!!
Thanks for your comment! Also, thanks for mentioning the business policy. I know this is something that may affect some of the readers. Thank you!!
SO ashamed to admit… I never thought of this.
And I’m usually SUCH a stickler!
MANY thanks for this timely article… we’ll be doing it together! :D
T~
Don’t worry! I hadn’t thought of it either until my dad mentioned it! So did you insure it??
Homeowners insurance company?
Hey!
I’m not sure I understand your question.
My tip would be that if you make money using your camera equipment, your homeowner’s policy will not cover your gear. You will need different coverage. Be sure to ask lots of questions.
i would like to know what insures company i can use to get insures for my camera, i call my auto insures and they do not do it. thanks.
I used my home owners/rental insurance :)
Thankyou! My new 5D Mark III has literally just ariived today and I need to insure it!
I’ll never forget when I was looking around at buying my first dslr someone had told me they didn’t bring their “nice” camera because they were afraid to break it. I knew right then to look into insurance because if I was investing a lot in a camera for personal use I wanted to be able to bring it everywhere. I’ve added my camera, lenses, and even my macbook to my home owners policy. I think it’s like $25 a year for me. Also, even if you think your policy covers it without a rider check that it’s covered without the deductible.
Just a reminder to ask lots of questions of your insurance rep. Like coverage in you are away (ESP out of the country) and if accidental damage is included. I learned StateFarm does NOT include accidental so I am now on a search for a third party policy.
Thanks for sharing this, passed it on to my brother. His teenage daughter just lost her camera they bought her for Christmas at the park.
Make you insure your gear for replacement value. This way you can go shopping if you lose your gear.
Thanks for the tip. I was thinking about this very thing while camping over the Memorial Day holiday. I didn’t want to take my camera out on the lake for fear of something happening to it! I’ll be making some calls this week!
Thank you for the reminder. I’ve been meaning to do this for some time. I called the company who set up our household insurance and it cost $66/year to cover nearly $5000 worth of equipment. Well worth it!
My camera is insured but my agent said that if I dropped the camera, it would not be covered. If some one knocked it over, then it would be covered. Does this sound right to you all?
It probably depends on the company and the coverage. I use USAA which covers everything. Maybe call around :)
I just called my insurance company and they said it was covered under my house insurance that I have with them. So glad I called, I had no idea! Love this site!
Awesome! Thanks!
Would you recommend insuring my DSLR under my home insurance rather than purchasing the $50 three year warranty? Or should I do both?
I have mine done under my home insurance because for my policy it covers more. You may want to check out which is a better plan for you :)