Snapping-up camera insurance
The modern camera can range from the relatively cheap and disposable snaps varieties right up to phenomenally complicated and sophisticated devices. If your camera is anything other than a low-cost disposable one, it may be worth thinking about camera insurance.
Camera costs
The problem is that some may argue that modern cameras fall into one of three price brackets:
- the very cheap - including disposables etc:
- the expensive:
- very expensive cameras.
If you are a professional, an amateur photographer who is very serious, or perhaps you use the camera for business, such as making advertisements, it is very likely that you have a camera that falls into either the expensive or very expensive price categories.
Problems arise
This might be fine -up until you find that your camera has been:
- destroyed in an accident:
- stolen:
- broken down outside of the manufacturer's warranty:
- lost.
When one of these things happens, you will likely start wishing you had been using an inexpensive disposable camera, especially when you begin to consider the costs of repairing or replacing your expensive camera. That is, unless you happen to have camera insurance which will help you.
A camera cover policy
The exact details in any insurance police are contained in the policy’s documentation, such as its terms and conditions. However, you may also be able to locate a policy that offers coverage against not only the risks mentioned above, but many more. Typically coverage against loss is a protection that is only offered as an extra which is an optional expense.
Some policies might also offer the service of sourcing a replacement camera for you within 48 hours of having your claim approved. This type of coverage is usually applicable globally in order to provide help even when traveling abroad.
Some insurance providers may also offer optional cover for additional lenses etc.
Overall, camera insurance can be a very powerful protection which offers both financial as well as logistical coverage for any photographer, whether professional or amateur.
It is important to remember, that just as with other types of insurance products, the terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations that apply need to be read carefully to be sure that you completely understand them. For instance, it is possible that your camera may not have coverage against theft if you have accidentally left it unattended or forgotten in some public location.
Do you need it?
This is a very personal decision only you can make.
However, a camera by its very definition is something that is very easily lost and they can also be particularly tempting targets for many thieves.
If you are in a position where you can handle the financial aspects if something happened to your camera equipment, then you might decide you do not need coverage.
However, if you doubt that you could handle the financial responsibility of repairing or replacing your camera if need be, then you might want to consider having camera insurance and look at the details and get the necessary facts.
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