Buying a new camera? This is worth looking at.

[Tony_B]

The other week I bought a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 from Jessops. While I was doing the paperwork I was offered the chance to take out an insurance policy that includes accidental damage for three years. Not, I emphasize, an extended warranty (I dismiss those out-of-hand, as they're a rip-off) but an insurance policy.

I don't know about you but I've not had a digi compact last three years, especially if you take it underground. My Lumix LX2 died after a Daren drum leaked on a canyoning trip and my G10 acquired scratches on the lens within weeks, despite not being taken caving - this is a common fault with the model, I understand.

The policy is only available on digi compacts and some camcorders and stuff, sadly not on SLRs. The cost depends on the price of the camera - for a ?363 LX5 it was ?59. It does not exclude caving or anything else! And if, should you have a mishap, the model is no longer available you get the current equivalent as a replacement. I reckon that for less than ?20 a year that's a pretty good deal.

Another advantage of Jessops is that they do six or ten months interest-free credit depending on what you're buying. I hasten to point out that I have no connection with Jessops!   

 

[Amy]

How is that camera? I really want one from that series and am still searching ebay to try and find one that stays low (or, the older models). I saw them and thought they looked brilliant, I really want one to cave with!

 

[mrodoc]

Be wary of your insurance policy! I claimed many years ago for an accidental flood of my Nikonos u/w camera and whilst the company paid up once they then excluded damage sustained underwater. Your insurers might do the same if they found the camera had been in a cave so if you do have damage some 'creative' work might be needed if you do it more than once. If you are lucky you might, as I did, get away with it once but I suspect they will then stick on an exclusion cause. 

 

[Roger W]

They excluded damage sustained underwater on your underwater camera? 

That's rich!

I wonder what I'd say if my car insurers excluded damage sustained on the road after one bump?

 

[mrodoc]

It's true. I could only get flooding insurance by purchasing a separate policy which was very expensive. The original company would insure accidental damage to any equipment provided it was not in the water.

 

[dunc]

I seem to recall something similar being offered a few years back via Jessops, didn't bother taking them up on the offer though as, apart from the camera not being massively expensive, I figured they would have some minor clause or two hidden deep in the small print which I didn't have the time or inclination to read!

 

[darwen dave]

I recently treated myself to a shiny new ?500 DSLR from Wilkinson's cameras with the intention of taking it underground.

Normally I wouldn't go near an extended warranty but when offered a three year one for ?20 I thought it would be rude not to.

The guy in the shop already knew what I was using the camera for and when I asked if it would be covered for such abuse he shrugged his shoulders and said "if it breaks, we'll mend it".

I have a feeling though, that if I took it back covered in mud and full of water they would refuse to mend it under warranty. Time will tell.

 

[barrabus]

I have a feeling though, that if I took it back covered in mud and full of water they would refuse to mend it under warranty. Time will tell.

So clean the mud off and dry it out before you take it back.

 

[biffa]

I have had a camera (old powershot) repaired under Jessop's policy when I dropped it underground.  Amazon also do something similar and I have had my Panasonic LX3 repaired under that (mud in the extending lens causing it to not open) - just checked and it looks like they offer the same policy still (?48.99 on an LX5).

 

[kdxn]

My Canon G7 suffered lense scratching from the lense front 'protection' mechanism and a replacement lense unit from Hong Kong costs a lot and involves some very serious dismantling so I bought a Panasonic LX-5 for Mulu 2011. Very pleased with the photos, light compact body, battery life and lense quality.

Fell over at the Terikan resurgence with the LX-5 on and in my hand at the time, went fully under the water. Camera stopped working. Removed the batteries and it spent three days with silica gel drying it out, the LX-5 came back to life, used it for the rest of the trip and ever since. Even more impressed with it now.

Have re-discovered photography by using a small camera with quality lense, so much less weight/bulk and hassle than my Canon SLR and lenses. Need a good quality lightweight telephoto option to supplement the LX-5. Tempted to ditch the Canon gear and get a Panasonic GF3 or G3 with telephoto.