Cameras allow us to capture the most important moments in our lives. Many people have at least one camera. Professional and personal cameras are costly as well as delicate. They can be damaged by a little negligence or poor handling. Although most cameras come with a manufacturer’s warranty, this usually expires after a year and covers only manufacturing defects.
A right coverage is a smart way to protect your camera. There are many insurance companies that offer different policies. It is important to know the risks and what protection you need for your camera. We will be discussing the factors you should consider before purchasing a camera insurance policy.
Camera usage there are two types of camera usage: personal and professional. Personal usage is when the camera is only used for personal reasons and not in an attempt to make money. Professional usage is not possible even if the professional camera you are using is high-end. Professional usage is when you are using a camera to make money.
Before you decide to purchase an insurance policy, make sure that you are clear about your usage. There are many types of insurance policies for cameras, depending on whether you are a professional photographer, amateur or semi-professional.
Geographical/territorial limits
Camera insurance policies can be offered by many insurance companies that have geographic restrictions. If your camera is damaged beyond the territorial limits of the insurance company’s policy, you will not be eligible to claim the amount.
Imagine that you were on a family trip. Your camera accidentally fell while you were taking photos. It may not seem important to mention that you have camera insurance. However, if you call the insurance company and report the incident, they may be unable to help you. You might hear them say that insurance only applies if an accident occurs within the country or city limits.
To make the insurance worthwhile, ensure that it is available worldwide or at the very least in your country.
What are the consequences of accidental damage?
Sometimes, insurance policies can be very complicated. Although the policy states that it covers all accidental damage to the camera, there is a limit to which accidents are covered. Different companies cover different types of accidents.
A general damage due to wear and tear, repairing and cleaning, or battery leakage may not be taken into consideration and renders the claim invalid. Before you purchase the policy, be sure to read the conditions for accidental damage.
Coverage
You should also consider theft coverage. Insurance companies can be quite tough about theft claims because of the higher likelihood of fraudulent claims. Some companies will exclude theft coverage completely, while others may offer it with certain conditions. Before you buy a policy, make sure to check the coverage for theft.
Other considerations
There are other things that you should consider, in addition to the ones already mentioned.
* Equipment coverage: Professional photographers who have additional lenses, cover filters, tripods or flash equipment can be covered under this policy. It is beneficial if the policy covers accessories as well as the camera body.
* Public liability insurance: This will help professional photographers who have studios, or who do outdoor photography sessions. Public liability allows them to avoid the costs of any legal action brought by the injured public or outside shooting location. This insurance covers the owner of the studio and the photographer, but not for the camera.
* Equipment replacement: The insurance companies offer a variety of schemes, including camera replacement and ‘old for good’. These schemes can be tempting to customers and should not be ignored. Only if all terms and conditions are clearly stated by the insurance company, can they be considered useful for policy holders. The company may replace the damaged camera depending on the policy and the specific conditions.
Before you buy camera insurance, consider these factors. To get a fair deal on your policy, contact a trusted broker. He is an expert in the field and can help you select the right policy.
