Travelers insurance

[single]

I am going be in a position to travel about six months a year pretty soon, and am planning on pursuing photography in that time. I'm starting to price out a travel kit, and realizing that I could really only afford to use this gear if I can afford to insure it.

I'm hoping to spend time in countries where theft may be a real concern (in a mugging sense, not stolen at a coffee shop while you were in the bathroom) and was wondering if anyone here might have some beta. It would likely be 10-15000 worth of kit all said and done. If I cannot insure it for a reasonable amount, I can consider other gear options that are less expensive.

I don't have homeowners insurance that I can tie it to, which wouldn't cover me anyway as I occasionally make a few bucks off of photos. Anyone have experience with this?

[leftfield]

My stuff is attached as a rider to my condo insurance so i'm not much help. But I am curious about where you'll be going and what kind of gear you're planning on hauling around- 10-15k worth of gear sounds impractical. Then again, my traveling is as dirtbag as it gets.

[systemoverblow'd]

Get renters insurance. It is stupid cheap and tie it into that. If you're an adult without renters insurance you're an idiot (or just young and don't get it). Seriously, renters insurance saved my ass out of $7000 or so for a few hundo a year.

[single]

Leftfield, Leica m with two summicrons and a mamiya 7 can get you there real fast. And that's a small kit, would fit in a domke f2 with flash and film included. It's just the digital body that really throws the equation. I just checked out your site, if you are doing any sort of commercial photography (which it appears you are) most home insurance companies wont cover you. Does yours not have a problem with that? And as far as location I am going to be in a lot of different places, but more than likely based out of west africa.

And system, I wont be renting and I think that commercial bit applies to renters insurance as well. And i'd be surprised if that covered you outside of the country of which your rental is located.

[Eldo]

You are smart to realize that you will need different insurance than someone for whom photography is only a hobby. Some people making $$ off their pix try and fool their insurance company, then are denied a claim when a simple Google search reveals their name on a photo credit.

Most pro photographer associations have arranged with an insurance provider to offer discounted, photography-specific policies for their members. It will still cost quite a bit more than non-pro coverage through your home owners, but it will actually be useful in case of a claim.

[dipstik]

Yep - you will want to get setup with dedicated camera/photographer insurance.

Dig through these threads for recommendations and then get a few quotes for yourself:

http://www.sportsshooter.com/message...html?tid=39489
http://www.sportsshooter.com/message...html?tid=41140
http://www.sportsshooter.com/message...html?tid=38491

Keep in mind that IF you do get your gear stolen, you are screwed for awhile, even with insurance. I imagine it will take a few weeks for them to process your claim and issue you a check, leaving you high and dry in the interim. Some providers (like mine, I use Hays Affinity NPPA) do fund rental gear while your claim is being processed, but again, if you're in Africa I don't know how much good that's going to do you.

Good luck on the trip and keep us posted with pics!

[leftfield]

Leftfield, Leica m with two summicrons and a mamiya 7 can get you there real fast. And that's a small kit, would fit in a domke f2 with flash and film included. It's just the digital body that really throws the equation. I just checked out your site, if you are doing any sort of commercial photography (which it appears you are) most home insurance companies wont cover you. Does yours not have a problem with that? And as far as location I am going to be in a lot of different places, but more than likely based out of west africa.

Single- I forgot about Leica, very nice kit indeed. My condo insurance is through Travelers Insurance Company, the agent said it didn't matter if i make money off my photos.

West Africa, wow. The 5 months i spent in sub-saharan africa blew my mind. I'm desperate to get back to that part of the world. I hope you'll be updating your flickr, if you're keeping a blog too i'd be interested in following it.

[single]

Leftfield, where were you located? I will definitely have something going and will link to it when the time comes. I'm training for a while down in houston before leaving, but am determining my next gear move (which will happen sooner than lately) by how difficult it would be to take care of it.

Thanks for all the help. I will definitely look into it.

[mtcham]

The Leica looks like a point and shoot so just paint over the name and keep long lenses off and 99% of the time most people won't give you a second glance. If you are in an area where you think getting mugged is a real possibility get life and/or disability insurance instead.

Congrats and good luck-Steph's told me about your job and it sounds great!

[leftfield]

Leftfield, where were you located?

Five months backpacking with the gf, started and finished in cape town. Mostly camped, traveled by local buses. ZA, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Rwanda, DRC, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia.

You've probably got heaps of resources but here's a friend's blog who went through parts of West Africa we-are-just-saying.blogspot.com.aul

Sounds like an amazing experience you've got coming up, keep us updated.

[austriker]

Definitely be posting on Flickr and blogging if you can

Insurance wise search some on Fred Miranda. Those guys are the pros and I remember finding nuggets of wisdom there on photo insurance. Also not sure if you stay in touch with Kirk- he'll have a insight I'm sure


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