Personal article insurance consideration.
p.1 #1Personal article insurance consideration.
I have had a personal articles policy to cover my camera gear for about 5 years now, but the cost keeps rising. znow they want $846 a year and it started in the 500s. I am considering dropping it, but the idea of peace against theft is nice.
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
Apr 10, 2026 at 01:05 PM
p.1 #2Personal article insurance consideration.
I'm sure you'll get lots of anecdotes about how insurance came through (or didn't) when something bad happened, but in the end, it's all a question of risk tolerance. If you're rich, losing a camera or lens is an inconvenience, if you're not, it can be a disaster.
My story involved a sneaker wave at Hug Point Beach on the Oregon Coast. I made the mistake of placing my bag on the sand. Soon I heard a shout from a friend that a wave was coming. Pretty soon my lovely Nikon 45mm f/2.8 PC-E lens was under water. I grabbed it, rinsed it in fresh water, and dried it but the electronics were toast; it was a paperweight, albeit an expensive one. Needless to say, the bag is ALWAYS on my back when I'm at the beach.
Fortunately I had insurance, and I was able to replace it.
Sadly, everything is getting more expensive these days.
My story involved a sneaker wave at Hug Point Beach on the Oregon Coast. I made the mistake of placing my bag on the sand. Soon I heard a shout from a friend that a wave was coming. Pretty soon my lovely Nikon 45mm f/2.8 PC-E lens was under water. I grabbed it, rinsed it in fresh water, and dried it but the electronics were toast; it was a paperweight, albeit an expensive one. Needless to say, the bag is ALWAYS on my back when I'm at the beach.
Fortunately I had insurance, and I was able to replace it.
Sadly, everything is getting more expensive these days.
Apr 10, 2026 at 07:38 PM
p.1 #3Personal article insurance consideration.
I will keep it on my homeowners' policy. I couldn't replace otherwise. Mine hasn't gone that high, however.
Apr 10, 2026 at 07:41 PM
p.1 #4Personal article insurance consideration.
I just added a $20K camera rider to my homeowners for very little $. Was surprised at how affordable it was.
They also cover my saxophones and specifically cover them when I use them out of the house.
Retirement has meant that I spend a lot more time playing in clubs with my band and other bands from time to time.
Some of the venues are amazing.
Some can be rather sketchy.
They also cover my saxophones and specifically cover them when I use them out of the house.
Retirement has meant that I spend a lot more time playing in clubs with my band and other bands from time to time.
Some of the venues are amazing.
Some can be rather sketchy.
Apr 11, 2026 at 10:39 AM
p.1 #5Personal article insurance consideration.
Always verify the extent of the coverage PARTICULARLY if under a Homeowners policy as I’d bet good $$$ a lot of hobbyists don’t have the coverage they think. Ask your agent if the coverage applies to areas beyond your house, out of the country, are there maximum limits you might not be aware of, is submitting serial # or other info necessary on higher value items required, etc, etc, etc. Ask a lot of questions or you might have an expensive surprise if something goes awry. A lot of fine print that might GET YOU!
Apr 11, 2026 at 12:05 PM
p.1 #6Personal article insurance consideration.
Insurance Companies -- fairweather friends in my experience -- they always have a loophole!
Apr 11, 2026 at 02:40 PM
p.1 #7Personal article insurance consideration.
You either have a lot of $$ coverage or need to swap companies. I have ~$8k USD worth of coverage with my homeowner's policy for less than $200 per year. One small claim so far, but overall, the insurance company is winning dollar wise...
Apr 12, 2026 at 02:25 AM
p.1 #8Personal article insurance consideration.
When I lived in Noeth Carolina, homeowners would only cover gear in North America, but not if I traveled out.
I have 40-50k worth of gear, and policy went from 550 a year to 850.
State Farm was the only company I could find with a personal article policy for cameras(non commercial).
I have 40-50k worth of gear, and policy went from 550 a year to 850.
State Farm was the only company I could find with a personal article policy for cameras(non commercial).
Apr 12, 2026 at 03:18 AM
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p.1 #9Personal article insurance consideration.
I prefer to use dedicated photo equipment insurers such as through PPA. In recent years, Homeowners insurers very often drop policies after any significant claims are made and I do not want to jeopardize my homeowner policy over a photography equipment add-on.
Apr 12, 2026 at 04:11 AM
p.1 #10Personal article insurance consideration.
How much do you pay, and for what value of gear?
InFocus2014 wrote:
I prefer to use dedicated photo equipment insurers such as through PPA. In recent years, Homeowners insurers very often drop policies after any significant claims are made and I do not want to jeopardize my homeowner policy over a photography equipment add-on.
InFocus2014 wrote:
I prefer to use dedicated photo equipment insurers such as through PPA. In recent years, Homeowners insurers very often drop policies after any significant claims are made and I do not want to jeopardize my homeowner policy over a photography equipment add-on.
Apr 12, 2026 at 05:05 AM
p.1 #11Personal article insurance consideration.
Maybe i'm wrong but I found out that they don't cover used gear you have to "prove" its yours and you didn't steal it your self. Insurance companies are just s-bags as you would expect so I'm raw dogging it anyway.
Apr 12, 2026 at 01:29 PM
p.1 #12Personal article insurance consideration.
The OP stated he had 40-50K of gear... that's a LOT (I'm assuming that's US dollars).
$850 doesn't seem terrible to cover that much gear, but I'm no insurance expert.
$850 doesn't seem terrible to cover that much gear, but I'm no insurance expert.
Apr 12, 2026 at 03:07 PM
p.1 #13Personal article insurance consideration.
I might be overestimating. It may be more like 30-40k.
doc4x5 wrote:
The OP stated he had 40-50K of gear... that's a LOT (I'm assuming that's US dollars).
$850 doesn't seem terrible to cover that much gear, but I'm no insurance expert.
doc4x5 wrote:
The OP stated he had 40-50K of gear... that's a LOT (I'm assuming that's US dollars).
$850 doesn't seem terrible to cover that much gear, but I'm no insurance expert.
Apr 12, 2026 at 04:23 PM
p.1 #14Personal article insurance consideration.
If you're going to insure it, you should itemize each item. I have USAA Insurance. My VPP (valuable personal property policy) has me itemize everything, price paid, serial number, and even scans the original receipt. When my Nikon 45mm f/2.8 PC-E took a bath in the ocean, it came in handy to make the claim on a very expensive lens. If you're off in your estimate of worth by as much as 20k, you might need do some re-thinking.
Apr 14, 2026 at 07:50 PM
p.1 #15Personal article insurance consideration.
I have a State Farm policy for most of my camera equipment.
I have around 35K covered, my last bill was $570. (in March)
I bring in my stuff when I add it to the policy, that way there's no question I have it.
Copies of the receipts are made, SN's taken down.
I need to go in this week to add my a75, and remove a couple that I traded off.
I never asked about restrictions, but I will ask when I go in if there are any.
I have around 35K covered, my last bill was $570. (in March)
I bring in my stuff when I add it to the policy, that way there's no question I have it.
Copies of the receipts are made, SN's taken down.
I need to go in this week to add my a75, and remove a couple that I traded off.
I never asked about restrictions, but I will ask when I go in if there are any.
Apr 14, 2026 at 09:31 PM
p.1 #16Personal article insurance consideration.
My policy is with state farm, like the otuer poster. It requires serial numbers and receipts. The only guessing here was the exact total, since for the purpose of posting, I didn't feel the exact amount was needed. No insurer will take rough guesses.
doc4x5 wrote:
If you're going to insure it, you should itemize each item. I have USAA Insurance. My VPP (valuable personal property policy) has me itemize everything, price paid, serial number, and even scans the original receipt. When my Nikon 45mm f/2.8 PC-E took a bath in the ocean, it came in handy to make the claim on a very expensive lens. If you're off in your estimate of worth by as much as 20k, you might need do some re-thinking.
doc4x5 wrote:
If you're going to insure it, you should itemize each item. I have USAA Insurance. My VPP (valuable personal property policy) has me itemize everything, price paid, serial number, and even scans the original receipt. When my Nikon 45mm f/2.8 PC-E took a bath in the ocean, it came in handy to make the claim on a very expensive lens. If you're off in your estimate of worth by as much as 20k, you might need do some re-thinking.
Apr 16, 2026 at 06:48 AM