Telescope Insurance whilst driving

John K · #1 18-11-2006, 08:25 PM

With all my gear getting up to around the $10,000 - $15,000 mark, just wondering what others have done as far as insurance for when they are going to and from an observing site?

I have had a chat with my car insurance company, but they say that it's only camera equipment to the value of $5,000 that they can cover me for. My gear is covered under my house and contents, but the issue is when on the road which is about half a dozen times times per year.

Any thoughts?

Lee · #2 18-11-2006, 09:12 PM

I think you need to actually have the items covered separately - the way you can insure jewellery away from the home also - it gets expensive..... haven't tried with mine, although am comtemplating insurance, mainly for the road as you have mentioned.....

Ric · #3 18-11-2006, 10:32 PM

It makes a lot of sense to insure your scope while away from home.
I wonder if there is any way to insure the scope just for the times it is away from home, just for the weekend for example.
Probaly not cheap though.

cheers

Gargoyle_Steve (Steve) · #4 19-11-2006, 12:05 AM

I haven't tried with scopes yet but from past experience with other "specialised" equipment in the end the most effective way to do it was to have a clause attached to my home and contents policy. It is not really any dearer to have 365 day cover then occasional weekend cover - at least it wasn't back then anyway, this was some years ago. What this gave however was 24 hour 7 day cover anywhere - in my car, out bush - anywhere in Australia, as long as you were on that land / property / track legally.

You will probably find that any single items over a certain limit, ie $300 or $500 or something, will have to be specifically listed and a value attached.

In short - speak to your insurance company / rep / broker.

Argonavis (William) · #5 19-11-2006, 07:47 AM

My insurance company has a "portable valuables" policy which is an extension to a contents policy. This covers expensive items when they are taken away from home. The cost is relatively modest.

Lee · #6 19-11-2006, 07:59 AM

Mine has similar, but only covers specific items up to $1200 each.... that won't help your Tak!

John K · #7 19-11-2006, 10:08 AM

Another suggestion that was made was to get travel insurance. Interesting.

Ric · #8 19-11-2006, 10:27 AM

Hi Lee, $1200 would cover the DSI II but not much else.
I think I'll ring around tomorrow and see what the various companies are offering.
With all my equpiment nudging the $15,000 mark it would take a very long time to recover to the same level if it were to be damaged or destroyed.
I think it might be time to review the amount of Home and Contents insurance I have as well.

cheers

spacezebra (Petra) · #9 19-11-2006, 01:53 PM

Hi there

Thanks Ric - now that you have mentioned it I will check home and contents.

Interested to also see what other insurance brokers are offering.

Cheers Petra

John K · #10 19-11-2006, 05:49 PM

Looks like we are all in the same boat. The way things are going I think my gear will be worth as much as my car! Please feel free to share what you guys come up with in terms of your research.

mick pinner · #11 19-11-2006, 06:01 PM

my scope is covered at home in the observatory as long as it is lockable, this was fairly nominal on top of normal contents insurance, however to be covered whilst being transported $600.00 per annum agreed value with no limits as to distance or how many times it is moved.

iceman (Mike) · #12 19-11-2006, 06:48 PM

ArgoNavis is right.

I did it with my policy about 4 months ago when it was up for renewal. It's worth it.. otherwise you're not covered if something happens while you're away from home..

eg: dropping camera in the water, someone stealing your gear, dropping it while transporting, etc.

It added about $80-$90 per annum to the home contents policy, but for the piece of mind, it's well worth it.

Lee · #13 19-11-2006, 07:15 PM

I think you might end up

dixie if someone steals your SBIG though - check the maximum value of items covered like this.....

John K · #14 19-11-2006, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

It added about $80-$90 per annum to the home contents policy, but for the piece of mind, it's well worth it.

That sounds really cheap. Whom do you use Mike?

Allianz which is my co. essentially wanted to double my house and contents from around $40 per month to $78 or so per month! so it's like $500 per annum which is not worth it.

I wonder how professional photographers insure all their gear?

Gargoyle_Steve (Steve) · #15 20-11-2006, 02:14 AM

I assume the pro's spend the money, but then get to claim against it on their tax returns.
*shrug*

iceman (Mike) · #16 20-11-2006, 05:44 AM

I'm with NRMA, John.