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Insurance

Coxie

New member
I'm just getting into cave photography.  I've only done 1 trip so far with little success and will be uploading some shots for criticism soon  ;)

Despite my limited experience I have already discovered that camera care is half the battle and I wondered if anybody has insured their equipment for caving use  :-\

 

Maisie Syntax

Active member
You should actually upload shots for critiquing rather than criticism, but I suspect that the latter is what you'll get.
Don't do yourself down, I'm sure that the great and good of the underground photo world heavily self-censor before divulging to the public.

Re insurance: Some companies will (or say they will) actually replace anything as long as you provide the broken original. Unfortunately these tend to be policies taken out at the time of purchase. I successfully claimed in this way without hassle for a bit of kit via the insurance company that Jessops use (can't remember the name).
Of course, I would never suggest that you claim for damage which occurred underground as though it happened on the surface - this would be very naughty and wrong.
 

footleg

New member
Look for policies which cover 'all risks' or 'accidental damage' and then check the small print for exclusions. If you are a home owner then you can often get this as additional cover on top of your home contents cover. That way you are also insured if it gets nicked from your car while you are in the pub after the trip etc.

Bear in mind that this insurance will not cover general use and abuse damage. So if you drag your camera around unpadded underground and handle it with wet muddy hands until it inevitably dies an early death then don't expect to be able to claim. But if you were unfortunately enough to drop it in a stream while using it, or drop a rock on the bag containing it then that would be accidental damage just like a surface accident (and just as unlikely so a fair claim under these sorts of policies). If you properly pack your camera for transport then it should not suffer any worse than a camera used on the hills. I prefer a flexible waterproof bag (e.g. Aquapaq, or Ortlieb map cases) as these are less likely to leak than a hard case (e.g. Pelicase, Daren drum, Otterbox) which will leak if anything solid gets in the seal. Then put the flexible cased camera into a Daren drum or similar padded with foam for secondary waterproofing and to protect from bangs and possible puncture of the flexible case. This also gives good crush protection. That is better insurance in my opinion than a financial policy alone.
 

Burt

New member
I guess it's available somewhere - don't footballers / ballet dancers etc insure their legs?  So a camera can't be that hard to insure. However, I'd tell the insurers exactly what you intend to do with it and make sure you're happy with the policy before handing over any dosh. I've had similar experiences with bikes - I have to have a specific policy for racing as the normal one won't cover it.
Good luck!
 

cap n chris

Well-known member
I think Footleg is spot on the money with his advice: put simply, look after your kit so well that it arguably won't need to be insured; the cost of doing the former will be significantly  subsidised by saving money on the latter.
 

Coxie

New member
I think I'll put it on my home insurance anyway and try and be uber careful underground.


Thanks for the sound advice  :)
 

Les W

Active member
When I purchased my Canon 350D I added it to my home insurance policy as a named risk with "all risk" cover. I asked the insurance company (NFU Mutal) if that included taking it underground, they replied "all risk means all risks".
Not sure if the same applies to other companies but it doesn't hurt to be up front (unless of course you intend to use "accidently dropping it into the sea" as a substitute when it comes to a claim)  :-\
 

simon.moorhouse

New member
We got our camera from Curry's Digital, insured it through them with the same idea as you Les...  They quote all risk, means all risk...  Accidental damage through wind fire water, dropping off a cliff (although apparently you have to go down and pick up the pieces to get it replaced)  :)
 
G

george

Guest
My camera was on the same deal as Simon's with Currys which they promised was all inclusive; be warned tho' I found one problem - The battery in my Olympus mju 850sw stopped working, i took it back and waved the gaurentee at them to which they politely replied that they would happily replace the camera, it indeed they still stocked them. Bugger. Luckily it was only the battery so they got one out of another model. Don't know how things would stand if the camera itself had gone?

George
 

simon.moorhouse

New member
They replace it for a model of your choice within a 20pound range of what you paid when you first bought yours.  or you can pay extra and get a nicer one :)
 

Coxie

New member
simon.moorhouse said:
They replace it for a model of your choice within a 20pound range of what you paid when you first bought yours.  or you can pay extra and get a nicer one :)

Did you have to buy the camera at Curry's to get the policy or did you just buy the policy itself?
 
G

george

Guest
The policy was a Curry's one, don't know if you can buy it independently  :-\
They didn't mention the ?20 choice thing - still, mine's al sorted now so no complaints  ;)

George
 
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