5 Things to Know About Making a Photography Insurance Claim

1. Every claim is unique

We often get this question: “what if [insert hypothetical situation] happened? Would I be covered?” It is impossible to answer this question because every claim is unique. Maybe you’ve heard an insurance broker give you vague, evasive, unsatisfying answers. That’s potentially because you’re asking the wrong question. Instead of asking “what’s covered?” you should be asking “what’s not covered?”

Most insurance policies work like this: everything is covered, except what is explicitly excluded by the policy. This allows for all kinds of unanticipated, unimaginable types of losses to be covered. It also ensures wordings aren’t 10,000 pages long. When you submit a claim, the adjuster will look through the wording to see if an exclusion applies. Some typical exclusions are: “wear and tear,” “mechanical breakdown”, “fungus”.

2. There can be many ways to prove ownership (not just receipts)

Lots of people buy camera gear second-hand. Claims adjusters are aware of this fact. If you don’t have original receipts, don’t panic. You can still cover the gear with your insurance.

Proof of ownership can take different forms, depending on the loss. If a lens is cracked, the proof is the cracked lens in your possession. You would only need to provide documentary proof in “total loss” situations (theft, destroyed in a fire, etc.). In these situations, original receipts are obviously best, but in the absence of these, the adjuster may use their judgment or common sense. They may try to work with you to find “creative” ways to substantiate prior ownership.

In all cases, it is up to the adjuster’s discretion; they need something that will “hold up”, and they will be using their “Spidey-senses”. If they think something is suspicious, they will ask for more concrete evidence and they may decline a claim. So, do what you can prior to a loss occurring to substantiate your ownership of the items you wish to have covered.

3. File a police report first

When a crime has been committed, you will need to report the crime to the appropriate authorities. For a theft claim, an adjuster will ask for a police report number as part of your supporting documentation. This also applies in foreign countries.

There are also special conditions related to theft from an unattended vehicle – there must be visible signs of forced entry. Basically, the insurance company is saying: if you leave your gear in your car, make sure you lock your car. They will need visible evidence that someone had to pry their way into your vehicle, so take photos of the broken glass, or the scratches on your car. Without visible evidence of forced entry, your claim could be denied.

The insurance company's policy wording on unattended/unlocked property reads as follows: "we will cover theft of covered property from a locked container, vehicle or trailer when there are visible signs of forced entry. This exclusion does not apply while covered property is in the care or custody of a common carrier." (Note: This policy wording is current as of Nov. 2022 but is subject to change)

4. There will be a deductible

A deductible is the amount of the loss that you are responsible for covering before the insurance policy will respond. Say you have a USB drive stolen. Replacing it would cost $60, but your deductible is $350. Although, “technically” the claim would be covered, it is below your deductible, so the insurance company wouldn’t be responsible for paying any part of the claim.

If you damage a $500 lens, you would pay for the first $350 (your deductible), then the insurance company would cover the next $150.

After you’ve made a claim, an insurance company will generally increase your rates. There is no one-claim forgiveness. So, it may not make sense to submit a small claim, as you may end up paying more for insurance over the long run. Insurance is not meant to cover small losses. It’s best used to cover the things that could really make or break your business.

5. You can still withdraw a claim after you have reported it

The only person who can give you a definitive answer to the question, “is it covered?” is a claims adjuster. In order to speak to an adjuster, you will need to report the claim to the insurance company. The adjuster will then review what happened and the supporting documentation, and advise whether coverage can be provided.

Once you have a clear answer, you can either decide to proceed with the claim or to withdraw it. Don’t be afraid to open a claim and talk to an adjuster.

Get Photography Insurance

As this is a blog post about claims, the assumption is that you already have insurance for your gear, but just in case you don’t: Front Row’s photography insurance policy is a good option. Many Canadian photographers have come to recognize Front Row as the industry’s best coverage – and rely upon us to protect their valuable camera gear. In case a claim does occur, you can work with your broker to resolve the claim and get compensated for covered losses as quickly as possible.

Refer a Friend to Front Row

Based on customer demand, we’ve setup our referral marketing program and if you refer a friend to Front Row, you could win a $15 Amazon eGift Card OR be entered into a random draw to win a $99 Amazon eGift Card! (depending on your province)

Related Posts:

PHOTOGRAPHY INSURANCE CLAIMS: EXAMPLES OF WORST-CASE SCENARIOS

FREE EBOOK! PHOTOGRAPHY INSURANCE 101: PROTECT YOUR CAMERA GEAR

PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT INSURANCE: YOU MAY NOT BE COVERED BY HOMEOWNERS

I’M JUST STARTING OUT IN MY PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS; DO I NEED INSURANCE?

4 QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS INSURANCE

THEFT FROM VEHICLE: PHOTOGRAPHY INSURANCE EXPLAINED

TIPS TO SAFELY STORE CAMERA GEAR IN A VEHICLE

PHOTOGRAPHERS & VIDEOGRAPHERS: SAVE MONEY ON YOUR CAMERA INSURANCE

HOW TO REDUCE THE COST TO INSURE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR CAMERA LENS(ES)

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT RAIN PHOTOGRAPHY: PROTECTING YOUR CAMERA IN RAIN

UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY BEST PRACTICES / IN-WATER PHOTOGRAPHY

PROTECT YOUR CAMERA GEAR FROM OVERHEATING

PROTECT YOUR CAMERA AT THE BEACH / PROTECT YOUR CAMERA FROM SAND

ORGANIZING YOUR CAMERA GEAR / KEEP TRACK OF YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR

INSURANCE FOR PHOTOS BOOTHS | PHOTO BOOTH INSURANCE FROM FRONT ROW

HOW DO I ADD AN ADDITIONAL INSURED TO MY POLICY?

5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MAKING A PHOTOGRAPHY INSURANCE CLAIM

FRONT ROW: OFFERING ONLINE CAMERA INSURANCE POLICIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS