p.1 #1 · Sony Protect Warranty - Is it worth purchasing?
I just purchased a Sony A1 which comes with a 1 year warranty and was curious to get an experienced view if purchasing an extended (3yr) "Sony Protect" warranty was worth the $$... I have 90 days in which to make a decision.
I will be using it primarily for travel, wildlife (BIF) and some sports. I'm retired and this was a bucket list purchase,
If it is worth the $$, what was the experience if you had to send the camera in for a repair?
p.1 #2 · Sony Protect Warranty - Is it worth purchasing?
I actually bought Sony protect warranty for my A1 and 16-35 lens (including accidental damage coverage) - because I always drag these two around with me. Everything else I was gonna take my chances.
And a few months later, while shooting, I dropped them on the floor.
The camera was fine, but filter mount got dented on the lens making it impossible to attach filters. So I filed a claim with Sony for accidental damage, there was a little confusion from CSR originally related to serial number (they claimed that it doesn't exist), but once it got sorted out, everything was smooth as butter. Shipped lens to Precision camera, and was getting tracking updates throughout repair, and I got it back repaired perfectly fine.
The real issue i had was there was no way to file the claim online - had to call. At which point CSR claimed that the serial number i provided for the lens wasn't actually for the lens (maybe language barrier) - even though it was fine. Thankfully CSR decided to fill out paperwork anyway and sent me a shipping label (at the end, repair center would see correct serial number on the lens anyway), and it was all good after. Issue could have been avoided had claim was possible to do online (where the serial number was already registered on Sony Protect website).
p.1 #3 · Sony Protect Warranty - Is it worth purchasing?
Not from my experience/needs. I never leave home without a camera, whether working or not. In over 40 years of professional location travel and documentary photography have I ever used a purchased warranty. I've had damage from shooting in the ocean and losing equipment (which was covered by my business insurance) but never needed any supplementary insurance. I believe, and it been born out for me, from my experience (again, for me) that I've never used any camera insurance for any purpose. Your needs may vary.
