Camera Insurance - Options

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ecniv

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Hi,

Sorry to bother you guys again... With an old query. but I've been searching on the web as it is the time of year to renew my insurance... However my kit is getting old(er) now....


Initially I went with Photoguard - had no problems with them, but their terms n conditions changed so I didn't renew (bit too vague on some details).
As I was going away I went for the next best option I found, Towergate.

However, this year they also changed their terms and conditions, such that each item on a claim was going to cost me 150 smackers (its on their website too).

Considering my equipment is amateur (read not too expensive) 150 for an item would almost be full price. Ergo I stopped being with them.


I have some trips around europe coming up and I am wondering if you'd use the travel insurance only for the equipment. Or just try someone else for quotes.


I've checked with
Photoguard (just need to find their current conditions).
Protect your bubble (initially seemed ok, but as you add items the insurance goes up fast)
Endsleigh insurance (but they only cover 3years or newer)

I was going to try Aon - but it looks more for business people.


Are there any others you are using that I can check...?

Thanks in advance!
 
aaduki.

Would recommend most strongly - I had an accident with a camera and lens on Jan 21st. They were most helpful with the claim and I did not need to do that much - they came back promptly and were open to ideas on replacements. Cheque arrived today, and the fact it took just over 3 weeks from start to finish was mainly down to me not getting form off as quickly as I should. I reckon had i been pushing it would have been half that time.

Insurance is a waste of money unless you need it! They only way you know if a insurer is good, is when you claim. Aaduki (and Direct Line for car/home) win hands down for me.
 
gramps said:
Try CLIIK, don't be put off by the apparent 'Pro-Only' appearance, they will do amateur and have a very competitive package.
Click to expand...

+1

Never had to make a claim but I believe they are very good going from other people's experiences.
 
Have you considered house insurance.

I decided to add mine and it only cost an extra £120 ish a year.
I had to specify my body and one lens as they were both over £1500 the rest I didn't.
Mine covers me at home, out and abroad. For up to £9000 I think it was. With a £50 excess.
 
cambsno said:
aaduki.

Would recommend most strongly - I had an accident with a camera and lens on Jan 21st. They were most helpful with the claim and I did not need to do that much - they came back promptly and were open to ideas on replacements. Cheque arrived today, and the fact it took just over 3 weeks from start to finish was mainly down to me not getting form off as quickly as I should. I reckon had i been pushing it would have been half that time.

Insurance is a waste of money unless you need it! They only way you know if a insurer is good, is when you claim. Aaduki (and Direct Line for car/home) win hands down for me.
Click to expand...

Very pleased to hear that, Simon; I changed to Aaduki in December, as they had a reasonable rate to cover about £7k worth of gear including my MBP. You never know if an insurer is worth the money spent until you claim, and by then it's too late! So glad to learn of your positive experience :thumbs:
 
ecniv said:
Hi,

Sorry to bother you guys again... With an old query. but I've been searching on the web as it is the time of year to renew my insurance... However my kit is getting old(er) now....


Initially I went with Photoguard - had no problems with them, but their terms n conditions changed so I didn't renew (bit too vague on some details).
As I was going away I went for the next best option I found, Towergate.

However, this year they also changed their terms and conditions, such that each item on a claim was going to cost me 150 smackers (its on their website too).
Considering my equipment is amateur (read not too expensive) 150 for an item would almost be full price. Ergo I stopped being with them.


I have some trips around europe coming up and I am wondering if you'd use the travel insurance only for the equipment. Or just try someone else for quotes.


I've checked with
Photoguard (just need to find their current conditions).
Protect your bubble (initially seemed ok, but as you add items the insurance goes up fast)
Endsleigh insurance (but they only cover 3years or newer)

I was going to try Aon - but it looks more for business people.


Are there any others you are using that I can check...?

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Think you've misread that bit. It generally means that the excess is £150 off the total claim not per item. If they were to apply it to each item and you claimed for say 10 items totalling £4000, they'd say your excess was £1500 as in 10x£150. Can't see that being the case otherwise they'd have no business! Most companies charge the excess as the part of the total claim you have to pay. Some have £150 as standard, others £200 and some have hidden bits that say that if the claim is something like stolen from an unattended vehicle it goes up. And some of those are silly amounts being anything from 7.5% of the total loss (Aaduki) to 12% (E&L). Just reading the Towergate bit, they say if it's stolen from an unattended vehicle its £300, likewise if its a claim for a laptop so they double it! Wonder how many people with Towergate got told that when they took out their policy.

Always worth checking what the excess is as you may save £25 going elsewhere but if the excess turns out to be £300 in the event as opposed to £150 that was what your dearer quote was, you've wiped out that saving.
 
ecniv said:
Thanks for the replies.

@epic - I phoned the rep. He said the same, 150 per item on excess, not per claim.

I'll check the others out shortly.

Many thanks!
Click to expand...

So is it £150 per item then or £150 off the total claim? I'd be highly miffed if I claimed for a stolen bag that had a body, 2 lenses, speedlight, remote and battery grip totalling £6000 and got told the excess I had to pay was £900 as there was 6 items! 7 actually! The bag! So £1050!! :shake:

Just doesn't make sense:shrug: I'm with Cliik and their is £150 off the total of the claim, i.e. claim for £6000, you pay £150 they have the rest, all £5850!

Sorry if sound a bit thick here, but thats shocking for a company like them and all there bragging about being underwritten by Aviva. Wonder if that's to help cover the costs of the hundred Paul Whitehouse adverts Aviva have showing!! :thinking:
 
@epic...

I think they think I'll be insuring items worth 3k upwards.... where 150ukp per item isn't much (in comparison).
(from website)
The first £150 of any claim for each and every loss
Click to expand...
To me that reads : 150ukp for each and every item in a claim.

If it had said :
The first £150 of any claim
Then I'd still be with them.
That's my take on it... and I may be wrong...



Not sure... tricky business the insurance ;)


Thanks, with all the positive for Cliik I'll go google them now... thanks all! Helpful suggestions!

:thumbs:
 
No, that means each loss. A loss is whatever is gone at the same time so if you had your bag stolen and the loss was £6000 you'd only be liable for the first £150. If you had a loss where say a body got stolen and you claimed £2000, and then 7 days later you dropped a lens and submitted a claim for repairs of £675, then you'd have to pay £150 on each claim as they'd be seperate losses. So you're liable for the first £150 of each & every loss. A loss is not one item, it's the amount you claimed for. I admit it would be easier to use the word 'claim' instead of loss as it makes easier reading but insurance companies always try to 'blur' things!
 
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