Camera Insurance and proof of ownership
Discussion
I recently had to make a claim on my insurance for a broken lens. However it was all a bit of a pain as the insurance company wanted me to provide proof of ownership, despite the lens and it's serial number being registered (along with all my other kit) in the policy and my premium being based on the specific items I wanted insuring.
This was all a bit of a pain as I've owned the lens since 2006 so there was no hope of finding the receipt although the insurers were very helpful in identifying other ways for me to provide proof, in the end I had to find a picture taken with the lens from 2006.
Having never claimed before I am wondering if all insurers require proof of ownership or is this peculiar to this particular insurer? Are some worse than others of will they all accept a photo taken with the lens/camera to be proof?
The reason I ask is it's renewal time and I don't want to go somewhere cheaper only to find they are even more awkward.
This was all a bit of a pain as I've owned the lens since 2006 so there was no hope of finding the receipt although the insurers were very helpful in identifying other ways for me to provide proof, in the end I had to find a picture taken with the lens from 2006.
Having never claimed before I am wondering if all insurers require proof of ownership or is this peculiar to this particular insurer? Are some worse than others of will they all accept a photo taken with the lens/camera to be proof?
The reason I ask is it's renewal time and I don't want to go somewhere cheaper only to find they are even more awkward.
I was a bit sceptical myself, the only thing I could think of was the lens was a Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 so if I sent a shot taken at 300mm and F2.8 then that might narrow it down a bit for them. In the end I found a shot that I'd also posted on a forum where I mentioned I was using the Sigma so I was able to include a link to the post as well.
It just seems a bizarre length to go to, the lens was sitting at Sigma UK for nearly 6 weeks as this went back and forth and even the bloke at Sigma thought it was a bit weird for what was ultimately a £300 repair. Hence why I'm interested in changing insurer but obviously there's no point if they are all this pedantic.
It just seems a bizarre length to go to, the lens was sitting at Sigma UK for nearly 6 weeks as this went back and forth and even the bloke at Sigma thought it was a bit weird for what was ultimately a £300 repair. Hence why I'm interested in changing insurer but obviously there's no point if they are all this pedantic.
jurbie said:
I was a bit sceptical myself, the only thing I could think of was the lens was a Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 so if I sent a shot taken at 300mm and F2.8 then that might narrow it down a bit for them. In the end I found a shot that I'd also posted on a forum where I mentioned I was using the Sigma so I was able to include a link to the post as well.
It just seems a bizarre length to go to, the lens was sitting at Sigma UK for nearly 6 weeks as this went back and forth and even the bloke at Sigma thought it was a bit weird for what was ultimately a £300 repair. Hence why I'm interested in changing insurer but obviously there's no point if they are all this pedantic.
Sorry can't help with your question, just wondered how you find the lens? I'm thinking of getting one plus a 2x extender...It just seems a bizarre length to go to, the lens was sitting at Sigma UK for nearly 6 weeks as this went back and forth and even the bloke at Sigma thought it was a bit weird for what was ultimately a £300 repair. Hence why I'm interested in changing insurer but obviously there's no point if they are all this pedantic.
Sounds a bit weird. You clearly possess the lens, as it is at Sigma being repaired, so do they think you've nicked it?
My default answer for camera insurance questions is to try Glover and Howe (http://gloverhowe.co.uk), who have always been efficient and helpful in the about 20 years I've been with them.
My default answer for camera insurance questions is to try Glover and Howe (http://gloverhowe.co.uk), who have always been efficient and helpful in the about 20 years I've been with them.
tog said:
Sounds a bit weird. You clearly possess the lens, as it is at Sigma being repaired, so do they think you've nicked it?
My default answer for camera insurance questions is to try Glover and Howe (http://gloverhowe.co.uk), who have always been efficient and helpful in the about 20 years I've been with them.
I guess it's to stop you from buying a broken lens (on ebay/wherever) and then getting the insurance to pay to fix it. Still seems excessive.My default answer for camera insurance questions is to try Glover and Howe (http://gloverhowe.co.uk), who have always been efficient and helpful in the about 20 years I've been with them.
tim-b said:
Sorry can't help with your question, just wondered how you find the lens? I'm thinking of getting one plus a 2x extender...
It's very good, I originally bought it to shoot football but then started using it for motorsport although 300mm sometimes feels a little short so like you I also got the 2x extender. It comes into it's own with endurance racing as those extra couple of stops can make a world of difference when you're eeking out the last bit of light as dusk falls.Anyway here is a general shot at 600mm.
The insurance company have agreed to payout so hopefully all sorted but I still can't fathom out what their problem was.
jurbie said:
It's very good, I originally bought it to shoot football but then started using it for motorsport although 300mm sometimes feels a little short so like you I also got the 2x extender. It comes into it's own with endurance racing as those extra couple of stops can make a world of difference when you're eeking out the last bit of light as dusk falls.
Thanks for the info, looks like I might need to start shopping for a bigger camera bag then 
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