Camera Insurance - Is it needed?

The type of insurances that photographers need varies based on their use of their equipment and the equipment itself. For an amateur photographer, with one nice camera, it may be sufficient to include camera equipment on a home owners or renters insurance policy. In either case, the photographer should be certain to specifically list the camera equipment on the policy and be certain the policy covers replacement costs, not the value of the camera.

For the professional photographer, insurance is even more vital. The specific types of policies vary from company to company, but photographers should be certain the policy covers the equipment wherever it might be...in the studio, on site, or in the car getting there. Unlike insurance for an amateur, a professional photographer should also investigate the possibility of insurance against breakage as well as theft and catastrophic losses like fire or flood.

Again, the photographer should approach his insurance agent with a list of specific questions and get the details of what the policy covers. Does it cover damage due to mishandling? If I drop my camera and the lens breaks, is it covered?

If my assignment included shooting a water-based sport and the water shorts out my digital camera, is it covered? If I am on my way to a shoot and my car is hit, resulting in damage to my camera, is my camera covered?

If the insurance agent cannot answer the list of questions, shop around for a new agent or buy a better policy. Insuring your camera equipment when it is your profession is an absolute necessity.