Scope Insurance

[E_ri_k (Erik)]

I'm sure some of you guys insure your gear right? If you have a serious setup, the cost of replacement easily comes in at $35K+ If not more for some people.

Sometimes you worry about what happens if it gets stolen or damaged. When I started to accumulate a few expensive assets I thought about insurance but my insurer at the time weren't really interested. They said I had to go find an independent valuer to take a look at everything. Since then u never bothered.

Who do you guys use? Interested to hear your thoughts...

Erik

[glend (Glen)]

I have a big dog. Seriously, scope specific insurance is going to cost you a significant amount of money over the years. It depends on how your using your equipment as well. If it sits in an observatory on your property and it is a secure building then an alarm system and good locks will be much cheaper. Even better just bring the scope inside the house when your finished. You can get specific items tacked onto your home owners contents and that might be a cheaper way to get it insured but if your talking about a $30k scope then you maybe paying premiums of more than a car of the same value. I looked several years ago and concluded it was not worth it - to me, it maybe to you.
If you travel to a dark site with your scope, it will be outside your home policy so something else will need to be arranged. I might add that my dog goes along to my dark site.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

My home and contents insurance covers items outside your house, and even when you travel with them.
Items up to $1,000 are included in the base insurance premium.
Over $1,000 an extra surcharge is added depending on how much you want it insured for.
When I had more expensive scope, I had a $5,000 added cover specified for an astronomical equipment.
Items under $1,000 were already covered.
As I recall, it did not add too much to the premium.
Now, I am satisfied with the basic cover.
I am with APIA.

[louie_the_fly (Stew)]

In fact, I asked my insurer this very question yesterday. With my current Accidental Damage cover through People's Choice Credit Union (CGU are the insurer) I'm covered for up to $20000 for any individual item, pair, set or collection of items. I asked about my astro and photography gear which runs to about $8000 and I was told "all covered - new for old". Even covered if my dog runs into the tripod and knocks it over and it gets damaged.

The dog isn't covered though.

[Atmos (Colin)]

Originally Posted by louie_the_fly

In fact, I asked my insurer this very question yesterday. With my current Accidental Damage cover through People's Choice Credit Union (CGU are the insurer) I'm covered for up to $20000 for any individual item, pair, set or collection of items. I asked about my astro and photography gear which runs to about $8000 and I was told "all covered - new for old". Even covered if my dog runs into the tripod and knocks it over and it gets damaged.

The dog isn't covered though.

I bought a new setup a few weeks back which very comfortably fits within that $20,000 mark (est. $15,000) and have been thinking about insurance on it all. What does that set you back if you don't mind me prying

[louie_the_fly (Stew)]

Originally Posted by Atmos

I bought a new setup a few weeks back which very comfortably fits within that $20,000 mark (est. $15,000) and have been thinking about insurance on it all. What does that set you back if you don't mind me prying

No worries. The re-quote I got yesterday was to up the contents cover to $100K. It costs $311.93 p.a., or $26 / month. I think $100K is a bit high for my contents, but once you start working it out it soon adds up.

[LewisM]

I have my photographic gear, astronomy gear and firearms collection listed as portables on my insurance cover. This effectively makes them separate mini-policies, but contained on the one document. In total, our insurance - home, contents, portables (all new for old replacement) costs us $66 per month.

I can live with that! My Canon 5D MkII and most equipment was stolen from my car in a shopping centre (they HAD to have seen me open the boot to put something in before returning to the shop) - they simply jimmied the door and opened the boot! My insurance replaced the entire gear - new for old, with a new 5D MkII, lenses, tripod, bags, and all within a week (thanks Michaels in Melbourne!). No hassle.

[E_ri_k (Erik)]

Thanks for your thoughts guys. I keep everything locked away. Our dog is very protective of the property also, so any stranger even walking past our house gets howled at.

I'm not sure what RACV offer in terms of accidental damage to individual items, but I might question them about it.

Erik

[sharpiel]

Originally Posted by LewisM

I have my photographic gear, astronomy gear and firearms collection listed as portables on my insurance cover. This effectively makes them separate mini-policies, but contained on the one document. In total, our insurance - home, contents, portables (all new for old replacement) costs us $66 per month.

I can live with that! My Canon 5D MkII and most equipment was stolen from my car in a shopping centre (they HAD to have seen me open the boot to put something in before returning to the shop) - they simply jimmied the door and opened the boot! My insurance replaced the entire gear - new for old, with a new 5D MkII, lenses, tripod, bags, and all within a week (thanks Michaels in Melbourne!). No hassle.

That's a good price actually. Who do you have that cover through Lewis?

[LewisM]

Suncorp