Because one of my clients just scared the crap out of me, I called my insurance company and asked if I should register the serial numbers of my cameras, lenses, computers, Ipad, etc incase I should ever (God forbid) have to make use of my renter's insurance.
Anyway, he actually said probably not on both my computer and the Ipad because Dell and Apple have record of my owning these things. But, then he suggested putting a rider on my camera and lenses. Anyway, in determining the value of my cameras - State Farm showed my 30D as more valuable than my 50D!!??!! Do what?? How is that???
I also asked about insuring my bike, but 1) I don't think it's valuable enough even with all the upgrades I've had done on it. It would *only* cost about $800 to replace my bike. 2) he's has to check on whether or not I qualify as a professional rider because I ride the bike to/from work, to/from meetings that I go to for my job, to run errands related to my job.
...But, then he suggested putting a rider on my camera and lenses. ....
???
An insurance rider is a set of terms and conditions added to the main policy that specifically defines coverage for something that would not be otherwise covered under the main policy. It "rides" along on the main policy, hence the name.
We're adding something to my renter's insurance to cover my cameras and lenses beyond what my renter's insurance would normally cover.
@ Julie - he said it would not be more than $35 per year, and I'm not sure about the deductable yet. I think he said it was $35, but that might not be right.
One of my clients got robbed. Someone broke into her apartment and took her computer and some money. When she called the police they said that because she didn't have serial numbers for the computer there was nothing they could do about it.
My computer doesn't have a serial number, I built it myself... I mean, I guess it makes sense that they'd need a way of identifying it, but that still seems weird to me. If someone has some gold jewelry stolen, they can track it down (or at least they don't say, "welp, nothing we can do") but when it's a computer they just give up?
I might need to look into my renter's insurance and see if it covers my camera gear, $35 a year is easily worth it.
I'm wondering if the rider on your photo equipment covers the items when they are not in the apartment. If that's the case, and they are covered in the field, it sounds like $35 is a good investment.
I'm wondering if the rider on your photo equipment covers the items when they are not in the apartment. If that's the case, and they are covered in the field, it sounds like $35 is a good investment.
When I asked that question, they said the home insurance rider covers the equipment when it is temporarily removed from the place of residence for personal (not business) use.
My computer doesn't have a serial number, I built it myself...
- Justin
Your local police department can probably lend you a little electric etching tool which will let you inscribe identifying information (typicaly your driver's license or state ID number) on a permanent part of the object.
I have an etching tool already, it never occurred to me to use it to uniquely identify my computer.
The police around here used to recommend that you engrave an identifying number on any audio-visual components, tools, and anything else someone might try to make off with and fence or pawn. You may get a break on your insurance if all your stuff is marked.
Note that if you ever sell anything marked like that, you'll have to give them a bill of sale which specifies that the object carries such a marking.
I like how everyone is all curious about the insurance I'm thinking of getting on my equipment, and not about the fact that State Farm says my 30D is more valuable than my 50D.
I like how everyone is all curious about the insurance I'm thinking of getting on my equipment, and not about the fact that State Farm says my 30D is more valuable than my 50D.
LOL. They probably base it on the fact that a 5D is worth more and a 1D is worth even more. So 1 > 5 > 10 > 20 > 30 > 40 > 50. Makes perfect sense.
I like how everyone is all curious about the insurance I'm thinking of getting on my equipment, and not about the fact that State Farm says my 30D is more valuable than my 50D.
Nobody is surprised by confusing insurance company logic any more ;)
At an offhanded guess, the 50D is easier to replace, since they're still manufacturing it, whereas the 30D is a "classic" and therefore "worth more." In fact, if you compare the prices on Amazon, the 50D is actually slightly cheaper than the "new" 30D.
