When I first started out in DSLR photography, my gear consisted of a Canon 20D body, a cheap Sigma lens and a 430Ex flash. It was expensive, but not over the top for an amateur photographer. As each year passed however, I began to accumulate a whole bunch of new bits and pieces for my camera bag. Even my camera bag was worth $300.
There are basically 2 fears a photographer has when it comes to their gear… dropping a 3K lens on concrete or turning around to discover their bag containing over 10K in toys is AWOL. The later happened to me… in Barcelona. We won’t mention the passport.
Of course, everyone knows that you should carry 2 personal security guards with you when travelling through Barcelona, a city synonymous with petty crime and targeting tourists. So I only have myself to blame. But apart from the adventure of running around cobblestone streets looking for a nondescript black camera backpack, at least I had the peace of mind knowing that my gear was insured. That, and the fact that I could continue my journey around Europe without having to carry a ridiculously heavy camera bag.
Most standard travel insurance policies only have modest cover for camera equipment. If you’re an amateur photographer or even a professional with a few lenses, flash, CF cards, cleaning equipment, etc – then you should get insurance. It will give you piece of mind. Even if you’re not travelling, get insurance.
Remember to keep all your receipts in a safe place. If your gear is damaged or stolen, the insurance company will want copies to prove ownership. Also, insurance companies have deals with camera retailers so they can replace equipment for much less than retail value. I discovered this when I asked for a cash settlement rather than getting the company to replace my gear (which took about 6 weeks). I changed my mind when their offer was way below what I would have to pay for the same equipment.
Finally, you may want to consider making your camera bag stand out from the crowd. Most camera bags are black or some other dark colour which blends in with what everybody else is carrying. Consider attaching some fluro tape or reflectors which stand out. Another option is attaching a couple of small bells so that if someone does move your bag, you will hear them doing it. Of course, if you’re sitting down with your bag under the table, make sure that the leg of your chair goes through a strap on the bag.
One of the last photos I took in Barcelona before my gear was stollen.
Insuring your gear is one thing, insuring against photo loss is another. I'll outline how I returned from Europe with 99% of my photos in another post.
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