Where should I get insurance for my photographic equipment?

Question

I don't have homeowners insurance to tack it on to, so I'd like to find an independent solution. I'm a freelance photographer, so I think I have to get commercial coverage, but I don't need all of the extra frills (i.e. coverage if my shoot messes up, etc). I will soon have a D3 and really want to get that stuff covered.

Answer 1

Check with your insurance agent.  If you currently rent a home (house, apartment, etc.) you can get renters insurance to cover theft, damage or destruction of your personal property, and your photographic equipment may qualify under that.  If it doesn't  qualify as normal "personal" property, you can get a rider on your renters policy to cover your equipment.

When we rented, we had to have a rider for the computer equipment (I think--but it might have been something else), but that was years ago.  Depending on the value or amount you have invested in computer equipment, it may have become part of the "standard" property insurance companies cover.  Either way, your insurance agent should be able to tell you and make sure you get a policy that will cover it.

Answer 2

There are commercial property policies (CPP) available through most independent agents.  The situation that you will face is that a CPP will probably cost you as much as a full blown photographers business owners policy (BOP) if you have nice equipment.  My advice is to take the BOP with the frills.  Then, if you need the coverage for other types of claims, you will have it.