Best Insurer for an Amateur

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nattsteer

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Natt
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Hi there, a did a quick search and the results were from a few years back so I hope you don’t mind me posting on the topic again.

My photography, lighting accessories etc has grown quite a lot in the last year and so I’m looking to get some insurance. I don’t make any money, purely a hobbyist. I mostly do “studio” stuff, macro, still life, product photography, very occasionally I take some kit on the road with me. After a quick Google I can see the two main providers seem to be from Ripe Insurance and Thistle Insurance trading as Amateur Photography Magazine Insurance Services.

Anyone have any experience with either? Good or bad? Easy to make a claim etc. Any others worth considering?

Cheers
 
Don't know either of your quoted suppliers but I now use my home insurance policy to cover my equipment more economically.
Certain items are highlighted due to value but the general cover for all of it is good and allows use 'on the road' (with 'care' limitations).
 
I live with my parents (rented) and I did ask about the contents insurance and they said the entire value was around £5k and I know who would win if it came down to replacing their fridge and telly or my lenses I’ll ask them to have another look, there might be a way to add items to the policy and pay a little extra. Thanks guys.
 
£5k contents?
Sounds a bit light, (average is around £25k) they might want to re-assess that I would have thought.
 
gramps said:
£5k contents?
Sounds a bit light, (average is around £25k) they might want to re-assess that I would have thought.
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Definitely, think ours is 50k plus - in a worst case (fire) you need carpets, curtains, sofas, tables, clothes, electronics etc...
 
nattsteer said:
I live with my parents (rented) and I did ask about the contents insurance and they said the entire value was around £5k and I know who would win if it came down to replacing their fridge and telly or my lenses I’ll ask them to have another look, there might be a way to add items to the policy and pay a little extra. Thanks guys.
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So offer to upgrade the contents insurance and pay it. It'll still be cheaper than buying your own insurance and your parents will appreciate the evidence you're taking responsibility.
 
I agree with the posts above - £5k is very little for house contents; I have a lot of kit and I was with a company that charged a high premium - when it came to renewal I found a really good deal with M&S platinum, so perhaps, one of their policies might work. When I had a conversation with Aduki and after reading the terms on their website, they confirmed that if equipment was stolen that wasn't actually attached to you that would be a problem.... it is worth shopping around but be sure to check how much kit you can have in your car out of sight; with most I found that one pro level body and lens would be very close to or over the limit.
 
I use my home contents insurance and cover about £5k just for my photography kit. I list the kit and value so there should be no argument if I make a claim. It is insured under the All Risks option which includes New for Old. I would not guarantee that this is the cheapest option. If you are a member of a PAGB Camera club you may be able to insure with their insurer.

Dave
 
Mine is on the household contents insurance at a not very high increase in cost.
 
My gear is in my contents insurance. I looked at used values rather than new so valued it at £25k - bumped up my annual premium by abort £30 for "All Risks" including travel.
 
johnf3f said:
My gear is in my contents insurance. I looked at used values rather than new so valued it at £25k - bumped up my annual premium by abort £30 for "All Risks" including travel.
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I'm assuming you are on a new for old cover. In which case you may find you are under insured and may not get what you are expecting in the event of a claim. Although £25k is an awful lot of kit so I'm guessing a lot will be specified individually ?
 
taxboy said:
I'm assuming you are on a new for old cover. In which case you may find you are under insured and may not get what you are expecting in the event of a claim. Although £25k is an awful lot of kit so I'm guessing a lot will be specified individually ?
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Funnily enough they were not interested in details of a lot of my kit. I only had to give details of 3 items as their base limit was £3K+. Also I am insured for "replacement cost" which would be somewhat more than I paid for them so I have no issue with that. Hope that clarifies.
 
I can highly recommend Eversure for camera cover. They way they dealt with a claim of mine for camera I accidently damaged was nothing but first class. Not only paid for collection and return but kept me informed of what was happening at every stage by phone of the repair.
 
Just to intrude a spanner into the works, I might reiterate the adage: "insurance is no substitute for a charmed life".

Yes, if it's your livelihood, you probably need to protect your investment (along with public liability, loss of earnings, etc), but if you're an amateur, than it's only 'stuff'.

What's basic to life? Food, shelter, freedom from threat, and good relationships. Can you insure the last one? Or the one before it

How much personal 'stuff' is essential to a productive life?

This'll wind most people up - but I'm just offering a perspective.
 
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Thanks for the info I really need to get this sorted as my house insurance only covers in home theft. I want some thing that covers me while I am out for damage mainly . I never take all my gear so I just need the gear I use while out insured for damage or a car break in.
 
You do have to be aware of the under insured clause.
If you take out cover for £25k, and a loss adjuster says you should have been covered for £50k, then you're 50% under insured.
If you make a claim for £10k, then will only pay out £5k as you were 50% under insured.

Some companies automatically give you a high level of contents cover, in which case this shouldn't be an issue as long as it covers the full value of a total loss.
 
I have added my photography equipment to the All Risks section of my contents policy for which I list all the items to be covered in detail including serial number. As far as I am concerned, I can only claim for items listed under this section but, I do not think the insurance company can reduce the claim, even if I have other kit. There seems little point in insuring old items you may never use so are at little risk. The only time I claimed (many years ago), the company paid out about 50% more than I had paid new because the camera was obsolete and with "New for old" insurance, the nearest equivalent was more costly.

Dave
 
i need insurance too, did have them as named items, meaning they where covered away from the home/ Something most home insurance offers.

But due to the value of the claim i made they are going through all kinds of invistigations, i wouldn't recommend relaying on home insurance for the speed, been 2months and counting. Seeing some prices coming up on specialist insurance for all my gear its like issuing my car.
 
Well just a warning never relay on contents insurance for camera equipment if you have a very expensive to replace new for old. the hoops to jump through to have it replaced seems a nightmare. even with prove of purchase. my insurance company fighting with and saying the amount of stuff i have as excessive, and telling me i need professional Insurance despite its nothing but an expensive over the years build up hobby.

So just a warning guys. the whole process i have been through is actually making me think about giving up selling everything.
 
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Russdaz1 said:
Well just a warning never relay on contents insurance for camera equipment if you have a very expensive to replace new for old. the hoops to jump through to have it replaced seems a nightmare. even with prove of purchase. my insurance company fighting with and saying the amount of stuff i have as excessive, and telling me i need professional Insurance despite its nothing but an expensive over the years build up hobby.

So just a warning guys. the whole process i have been through is actually making me think about giving up selling everything.
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Sorry to hear about your difficulties. Out of interest how big was your claim
 
While I am content with my Home contents insurance all risks policy, a good alternative is a specialist insurer. Darwin Clayton offer insurance for club members for clubs that are a members of the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain. This is an all risks policy for which you list each item to be insured and its replacement value. The charge is 2.37% of the value p.a. for a total between £2500 and £5,000. I am sure Darwin Clayton will offer something similar to non-club members but there are other specialist insurers for photography.

Dave
 
1d
taxboy said:
Sorry to hear about your difficulties. Out of interest how big was your claim
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1d mk2 adjusted to a 1dx mk2 £5k
MacBook Pro replacement £1700

Parts not available for either item.
 
Russdaz1 said:
1d

1d mk2 adjusted to a 1dx mk2 £5k
MacBook Pro replacement £1700

Parts not available for either item.
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That's not good for them to quibble over a relatively small sum. I was expecting the claim to be about 3 times that with some big glass included.

I would certainly question that having an expensive camera makes you a pro without any evidence from them to back up that assertion.

Good luck and I hope your claim payment arrives shortly
 
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