Insurance of Astro gear.

[Hagar (Doug)]

Hi everyone, I have just frightened myself with the value or at least the replacement cost of my gear.
I am wondering if any of you have looked at insurance for your gear both in the field and at home inthe observatory. I wonder to what extent house contents insurance would cover you in the event of fire or theft.

[rogerg (Roger)]

Definitely, I've always made sure my gear is insured. My biggest concern has always been theft or damage while in transport in the car.

For my ensurer the observatory is considered part of the building infractructure of the property so comes under the same as the house building insurance. There are conditions on that, like it being locked. So I just have a little extra added to the value of the house building to cater for it. Having said that, it's all a bit of an estimate.

For the contents I have all my major astro gear specified, and the stuff I take off-site listed as specified portables such that it is all covered anywhere in AU.

The specified portables does cost quite a bit extra, but I prefer it for peace of mind.

I've found it also important to keep updating it, especially as the replacement value of my equiment drops over time (Megrez 80 used to have a replacement value of $1500, now it's much muc much less than that).

Roger.

[leon]

Yep, what Roger has said is exactly what I have done with my Insurance.

Contents can cover all your Astro Gear on your property, however if items are over a 1000.00 they should be specified on your policy.

Eg if i just had my stuff covered and not specified for certain items, and someone pinched my Tak, than I would only get $1000.00 for it, but as I have them specified at their current value I get that.

It dose cost a little more to specify certain items, but if you have $30,000 worth of stuff outside in an Observatory it is well worth it.

Leon

[vindictive666 (John)]

i rang my House content insurer and was told just to take out an extra content policy just for my 12 inch Dob Total $1500 (astronomy gear)

Not much More A yearly Cost


regards john

[AlexN]

I added my gear to the home and contents insurance once i realized the total replacement value, certain parts are itemized, such as the camera, OTA's and mount.. They are covered even if im in bed sleeping while its outside imaging and it gets stolen..... the extra per year as John mentioned isn't too much, and well worth the peace of mind...

[Ric]

All my stuff is on a separate policy and covered for replacement value.

Cost a bit extra but I'm happy with it.

Cheers

[Jen]

Originally Posted by vindictive666

i rang my House content insurer and was told just to take out an extra content policy just for my 12 inch Dob Total $1500 (astronomy gear)

Not much More A yearly Cost


regards john

So if i steal your 12inch dob and leave u $1500 on the table we both win right i get a cheap dob and you get a new one :thumbsu p:

[AlexN]

jen. You can get a new one cheaper! Offer him 300!

[Jen]

Originally Posted by AlexN

jen. You can get a new one cheaper! Offer him 300!

really well dam i must have got ripped off then with my scope if i can get a 12inch dob cheaper than $1500

Ok i give him $300 hahaha

[vindictive666 (John)]

Originally Posted by Jen

really well dam i must have got ripped off then with my scope if i can get a 12inch dob cheaper than $1500

Ok i give him $300 hahaha

got news for both of you Heh HEH HEH


that basically includes all my astronomy gear (what ive got of it heh heh )



regards john

[Striker (Tony)]

I know first hand about this subject considering my gear was stolen from my observatory I built at my residence in Brisbane.

I was insured with RACQ and had all my main components listed on my house insurance and they payed me out for everything including all my accessories I purchased overseas as long as you had proof of ownership.

Received my cheque within 4 weeks of it happening and where talking well over $40,000 worth.
The cost of the extra's on my insurance was hardly noticeable....so do it.

[Ian Robinson]

Originally Posted by Striker

I know first hand about this subject considering my gear was stolen from my observatory I built at my residence in Brisbane.

I was insured with RACQ and had all my main components listed on my house insurance and they payed me out for everything including all my accessories I purchased overseas as long as you had proof of ownership.

Received my cheque within 4 weeks of it happening and where talking well over $40,000 worth.
The cost of the extra's on my insurance was hardly noticeable....so do it.

If it never leaves your property , it's covered I believe by your home contents insurance - but specifically list it all on the policy and KEEP GOOD RECORDS of what it cost and when you bought it, I added accidential damage to my policy .... and not long afterwards it paid off having it.

If it travels - you need personal effects insurance - not sure of the limits on that.

Same applies to camera gear and computers (laptops).

[casstony]

I checked out my contents insurance cover with AAMI today. Astro gear is covered under the general contents for fire or theft from the locked building. Something stolen from the yard would be covered up to $1000. This is the basic cover without any extra/accident cover.

[Ian Robinson]

Originally Posted by casstony

I checked out my contents insurance cover with AAMI today. Astro gear is covered under the general contents for fire or theft from the locked building. Something stolen from the yard would be covered up to $1000. This is the basic cover without any extra/accident cover.

Sod them , if it's knicked from your back yard , tell the SOBs it was knicked from inside the garage.

Or get special effects on it if that bothers your sense of morality.

If you build a purpose build observatory , then I presume it's just an extension of you house as far as it's contents are concerned , like stuff inside a detached garage is.

[casstony]

I'm happy with the basic cover; my philosophy is to only insure against dramatic losses and not spend more for 'extras' type cover. It's more fun to build man-traps and populate the yard with wild beasts . We've had two attempts to enter our house that I'm aware of - picture an intruder trying to open the back door at 2am when he hears a deep growl resonating inside the kennel - next day there's special din dins for the good work.

[AlexN]

I hear you on that Tony.... My EQ6 lives in the back yard, set up and aligned so as to keep my setup times low... As a measure of protection, I have a pair of 2yr old male rotties who love nothing more than "play" with unwanted visitors... I do not fear my mount being stolen.. not at all.

[Ian Robinson]

Sounds like some burgular's friend is in order (a few chunks of raw topside steak) tossed over the fence to distract the woofers and make friends with them.

What's that address again ?????

[centroid (Dave)]

Having an observatory in the back garden, insurance is an issue, as in UK, the obsy is classed as a outbuilding, along with garden sheds and garages etc.

The maximum cover that I've managed to get is for 2000 pounds (around $4400au), which doesn't even cover 50% of replacing the 12" LX200R, let alone all the other gear.

I've made the obsy as secure as I can, installed a comprehensive intruder alarm system, and 24hr video surveilance.

However, I never leave cameras, eyepieces, or any other easily carried items in the obsy.

Before going away on holiday, such as this visit to WA, I remove everything from the obsy. A pain in the butt, but better safe than sorry!!.

Dave

[AlexN]

Originally Posted by Ian Robinson

Sounds like some burgular's friend is in order (a few chunks of raw topside steak) tossed over the fence to distract the woofers and make friends with them.

What's that address again ?????

my dogs dont eat food that comes over the fence... they wont even eat food if it gets pushed out of their bowls... Thats what training is for