Insurance wants lens appraisal

Moderated by: guardian

Visit the FM Store · Image Upload · Buy & Sell
FM Forum Rules

FM Forums | PRO digital corner | Join Image Upload
end

anthony whitmo
Offline
Image Upload: On

p.1 #1 · Insurance wants lens appraisal

I recently decided to insure all of my equipment, as my home owners insurance only covers up to 1000 bucks in camera gear.

I called State Farm ( I already have policies there) to insure all of my gear. They want an appraisal for the 600 IS and 500 IS since they are so expensive. I sure as heck dont' want to mail them out to get an appraisal .

Any idea who can give an appraisal on camera equipment ? There is a Wolfe camera in town, guess I could ask them.......... Was hoping for some advice.............

Is it possible to take pics and mail them somewhere for an appraisal??

What a PITA

Anthony

Sep 20, 2008 at 01:41 PM

RDKirk
Offline
Image Upload: Off

p.1 #2 · Insurance wants lens appraisal

Send them screenshots of web ads. For off-the-shelf commodities, retail price is all that counts. The problem the agent is facing, most likely, is that those items don't show up on their replacement charts--insurance companies normally have their own sources to replace off-the-shelf commodities.

Sep 20, 2008 at 01:59 PM

c.d.embrey
Offline
Image Upload: Off

p.1 #3 · Insurance wants lens appraisal

You may want to consider someone like Tom C. Pickard who is a film/photography/video specialist http://www.tcpinsurance.com/ He's in SoCal. There are others like him around the country. My policy from TCP is by Fireman's Fund.

Doesn't hurt to get quotes from several agents.

Sep 20, 2008 at 05:49 PM

nle57
Offline
Buy and Sell: On

p.1 #4 · Insurance wants lens appraisal

I went through the same pita. If you can furnish receipts for those two lenses from state farm, then they shouldn't need an appraisal. I finally dug up all my receipts, and for the items that you don't have receipts for, it should total less than 5k, then you should be ok.
If you aren't using the gear professionally, state farm is the way to go. Its much cheaper than the rest. (Ie firemans, et al)

Sep 20, 2008 at 06:00 PM

anthony whitmo
Offline
Image Upload: On

p.1 #5 · Insurance wants lens appraisal

I purchased the 500 and 600 used so no receipt was received. I did pay cash bank to bank money transfer for both lenses. So that isn't going to help at all...................

Still not sure how the heck I"m going to do this....................

Guess I'll call State Farm Monday morning and see what else I can do unless someone else has a better idea..........

C.D. thanks for the link to Tom Pickard I will try that Monday. Maybe if I send photos he would consider giving me an appraisal ?

RDKirk - Not a bad idea I will ask them if this is an option

Appreciate all of the replies

Anthony

Sep 21, 2008 at 12:36 AM

Sunny Sra
Offline
Image Upload: On

p.1 #6 · Insurance wants lens appraisal

where is the agent's office?? take it to the local statefarm office and show it to the agent.

Sep 21, 2008 at 08:20 PM

umeboshi
Offline
Image Upload: Off

p.1 #7 · Insurance wants lens appraisal

When I got my gear insured through State Farm I didn't have receipts for a couple of my lenses and my 30D as I bought them used. I just printed the amazon.com page for these items and they accepted that as proof of value.

Sep 21, 2008 at 08:28 PM

jjlphoto
Offline
Image Upload: On

p.1 #8 · Insurance wants lens appraisal

Make sure you get a replacement cost policy. Not a depreciated value policy.

Sep 21, 2008 at 10:01 PM

anthony whitmo
Offline
Image Upload: On

p.1 #9 · Insurance wants lens appraisal

Sunny,

THe agents office is in Frenso
But we have since moved North of San Fran
The agent in Fresno states to take all the gear to a local office to be inspected and to bring appraisals for the 500 and 600 ............

I am guessing they may be thinking ...... FRAUD ALERT ............
No biggee I guess they are just being careful to protect themselves too

Thanks for the advice

Sep 22, 2008 at 10:38 AM

anthony whitmo
Offline
Image Upload: On

p.1 #10 · Insurance wants lens appraisal

umeboshi,

Hey thanks for the idea > I think I will do that and see what they say

Appreciate the advice

Sep 22, 2008 at 10:39 AM

anthony whitmo
Offline
Image Upload: On

p.1 #11 · Insurance wants lens appraisal

jjlphoto,

Good point > I did ask them to price it both ways for comparison > But have heard nothing back yet...........
Thanks

Sep 22, 2008 at 10:40 AM

Sunny Sra
Offline
Image Upload: On

p.1 #12 · Insurance wants lens appraisal

I just got back from my insurance agent, i told her that i don't have receipts for most of the stuff as i have bought it used on craigslist etc. and gave approx value of lens/camera bodies...she said its not a problem, just write down lens model, sn and comparable price list from other camera stores and that is all she needs. for FULL replacement coverage of everything...less than $300/yr

Sep 26, 2008 at 01:20 AM

ericevans
Offline
Image Upload: On

p.1 #13 · Insurance wants lens appraisal

Go to a photographer specific company like Hill and Usher . You will not have to deal with this crap . Insure them for replacement cost and if you have a loss you can get new glass or buy used again . Stop dicking around with state farm .

Sep 28, 2008 at 04:32 AM

jcbenner
Offline
Buy and Sell: On

p.1 #14 · Insurance wants lens appraisal

So what does it cost (roughly) to insure camera equipment with State Farm?

Sep 28, 2008 at 01:19 PM

jerryrock
Offline
Image Upload: On

p.1 #15 · Insurance wants lens appraisal

I agree with getting a professional photographer's policy from a company like Hill & Usher.
The blanket policy will cover replacement cost for your equipment and also cover personal liability as well as your studio/office space, assistant etc.

Sep 28, 2008 at 04:40 PM

umeboshi
Offline
Image Upload: Off

p.1 #16 · Insurance wants lens appraisal

well, my partner and i have renter's insurance through state farm and we added the gear insurance on as a rider. It added approximately $5 a month to our insurance premiums. Not bad really considering the peace of mind.

Sep 30, 2008 at 01:18 AM

davekone
Offline
Image Upload: On

p.1 #17 · Insurance wants lens appraisal

Going through State Farm via your home owners policy only covers non professional, non paid use. Personal use only, you must get a real business policy to cover your stuff otherwise.

Just a FYI, not sure if you use your gear as a hobby only.

Sep 30, 2008 at 12:33 PM

Sunny Sra
Offline
Image Upload: On

p.1 #18 · Insurance wants lens appraisal

for me to insure all my gear 2 bodies, buncha lenses etc it is roughly under $300/year for FULL replacement coverage. its with statefarm.

homeowners would only cover a small part so decided to get full camera insurance policy seperately.

Oct 01, 2008 at 01:38 AM


FM Forums \| PRO digital corner \| Join Image Upload end