Equipment Insurance
If you are an amateur and have house contents insurance you can often but not always (depends on the company) get good cover for camera equipment including accidental damage and theft away from home for a lot less as a policy extension to your house contents insurance than when taking out a separate policy.
However if you want this type of house contents insurance, on-line, bank or building society policies are often not flexible enough.
However if you want this type of house contents insurance, on-line, bank or building society policies are often not flexible enough.
When I was a weekend warrior, I found that household insurers were frightened off by any professional use and it was actually cheaper to use a specialist. Mine gave a good discount for being an RPS Fellow.
I have mine covered under the house contents, but be sure to specify any items that go above the threshold stated by your insurer for individual cost (I think mine is items over £2000). However, I am an amateur and before doing any professional based work I'd want to confirm the cover stands.
Sooner or later, most folk who own a "nice camera" will be asked to take pictures for payment or will sell a copy of one of their images. Make sure insurance cover doesn't lag behind your usage.
Quote:When I was a weekend warrior, I found that household insurers were frightened off by any professional use and it was actually cheaper to use a specialist.
House contents insurance is primarily about domestic life, not running a business.
I agree with you Len, @ “Ken7793” if your use of your gear is purely for amateur purposes then an extension to your household insurance will suffice, the caveat checking the small print and exclusions always apply, if you are semi or full time pro then you have to look elsewhere, I use Aaduki.
"Purely amateur use" means never selling a picture and never taking a picture for gain. How many good photographers with nice kit qualify?
I'd suggest that the kit is at greatest danger when we do occasional work.
Insurers don't seem to ask searching questions when we take out the policy but they certainly will in the event of a claim.
I'd suggest that the kit is at greatest danger when we do occasional work.
Insurers don't seem to ask searching questions when we take out the policy but they certainly will in the event of a claim.
Quote:
Insurers don't seem to ask searching questions when we take out the policy but they certainly will in the event of a claim.
Insurers offer a home policy for domestic activities - and a few include working from home instead of an office.
They do generally ask about any business activities at home - and make it clear most business activities are not covered.
This makes it reasonable to ask about a "business activity" type claim when a lower priced no business premium has been paid.
We've had to change insurer many times over the years when an underwriter has been scared off by the prospect of home work with visiting customers. The first stage was to require proof of forcible entry for a theft claim.
We found NFU Mutual to be the most reasonable, perhaps because so many farmers run their business from home.
We found NFU Mutual to be the most reasonable, perhaps because so many farmers run their business from home.
Quote:We've had to change insurer many times over the years when an underwriter has been scared off by the prospect of home work with visiting customers. The first stage was to require proof of forcible entry for a theft claim.
We found NFU Mutual to be the most reasonable, perhaps because so many farmers run their business from home.
Broadening the subject out - first the OP would be well advised to contact a professional Photographers trade body - maybe MPA or BIPP - as they will be much more aware of appropriate current insurance schemes for professional photography.
Back to home insurance there are approximately 4 categories.
Ignore any advice suggesting all home policies are the same.
The first type is basic and relatively in expensive with relatively narrow cover - with no provision for underwriting lots of photo gear, working from home home etc - including when taken away from home.
Next there are a little more expensive insurers, usually with wider cover and prepared to consider more than a few hundred pounds of jewellery, camera gear, musical instruments etc.
NFU is a good example. I happen to use them too. They do not blink at significantly more camera equipment for amateur use than the OP has - and only individual items over £10,000 need to be specified.
Then there is "high net worth" - primarily for millionaires in big houses. Few of us have the relevant income.
At the very top is insurance for those on professional footballers or pop star income.
Back to the detail of the cover available - it is normal, as you mention with the NFU, to require evidence of a break in as distinct from a visitor nicking something before a theft is insured when running a business from home.
Another area for photographers is equipment in a locked parked car.
Overnight theft cover from the car is rarely available - and some insurers provide only a few hundred pounds of cover for theft from a car during the day.
Similarly if camera equipment is left unattended as distinct from in a locked part of a building when away from home, cover is often not provided.
Writter a retired F.C.I.I. and Chartered Insurer.
