Buyers’ guide
Protecting your camera gear is essential for any photographer or filmmaker. Discover our top picks to ensure your equipment is safeguarded against loss, damage or theft We’ve got you covered
Buyers’ guide
WORDS BY GAVIN STOKER
AS AMATEURS AND enthusiasts, we want to ensure the precious photo kit we’ve built up over time is fully protected should the worst happen. As professionals, we want to make sure if anything goes awry on a shoot, there’s one less thing to stress about. Luckily, some insurers specialise in this area, with different levels of cover to suit precisely where you’re at in your hobby or profession. For example, if photography is not your main source of income, yet you still shoot the odd wedding in your spare time as a so-called weekend warrior, cover for those specific instances is available to you. With price tags for the most up- to-date camera bodies, lenses and accessories forever in the ascendant, is the alternative of no insurance at all a price worth paying? As ever, the devil’s in the details for securing the best insurance quotes. Here are our recommendations for providers we think worthy of putting in the frame.
Thistle Insurance/PhotoGuard › thistleinsurance.co.uk
Easing the pain should disaster strike, Thistle Insurance’s specialist PhotoGuard coverage is aimed at amateurs, professionals and everyone in between. With 20 years’ experience under its belt, the provider offers the usual theft and accidental damage cover – whether at home or on a shoot – as well as up to £10 million public liability insurance for pros wanting to feel protected when they’re behind the lens. Compact cameras, DSLRs, drones and video equipment can all be insured, with new-for-old cover offered on cameras and accessories. As an added bonus, PhotoGuard cover extends beyond the UK for up to 30 days worldwide automatically, while you’re offered up to £2k of equipment hire if alternative kit is needed during a claim. While certain limits apply, those with insurance who let a trusted friend borrow their camera will also be covered against accidental damage. Insurance aside, its website also offers the bonus of online photography guides to improve your knowledge. Subjects include photographic terminology explained, types of camera lens, strobe lighting for photography and more. Plus, at the time of writing, a 15% discount on its specialist photography insurance is being offered via Thistle’s website.
The Insurance Emporium › theinsuranceemporium.co.uk
Recent Photography News Awards winner The Insurance Emporium offers cover starting from as little as £1.46 per lunar month (that’s 28 days at a time) and can help whether you’re a part timer or pro, are seeking up to £2 million public liability or just want to make sure your gear is covered for travelling. There are two policy types to choose from: the first is its Amateur and Semi-Professional policy, aimed at photographers earning less than 50% of their income from photography, and who have less than £25k worth of equipment. Included in this coverage is theft, new-for-old, worldwide cover, data recovery, personal accident, loss or accidental damage, theft from unattended vehicles, replacement hire and public liability. The second option is its Professional policy, for those who earn more than that and are also lucky enough to own up to £50k worth of kit. This cover offers further benefits, including optional accidental portfolio damage, professional indemnity and even cover for props. Whichever is chosen, the company says the particular policy can be tweaked via a range of optional benefits. At the time of writing, this insurer’s website is offering 25% off camera insurance and a free, no-strings-attached quote.
Issue 114 | Photography News 45
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