
Official Insurance Thread
#1
Posted 21 January 2004 - 05:34 PM
Two programs that a lot of people around here use:
D.E.P.P. (with two Ps):
http://www.equipment...grams/depp.html
DAN Equipment Insurance (what I use):
https://www.h2oinsurance.com/
Both are reputable, and have given money back to people I know who have lost equipment. DAN gives you cash for replacement, which is great because you aren't locked into buying the same camera again (it may be obsolete by the time it floods). I believe DEPP works by replacement, on their terms (meaning that they can get you the equipment themselves instead of providing cash for you to do your own shopping). Someone correct me if I'm wrong...
#2
Posted 21 January 2004 - 06:02 PM
I had experience with DEPP during my trip. I was given money back rather than 'equipment' as I was able to buy it myself in Singapore since it was more economical than buy it and having it sent to Singapore (tax + shipping +delay).Both are reputable, and have given money back to people I know who have lost equipment. DAN gives you cash for replacement, which is great because you aren't locked into buying the same camera again (it may be obsolete by the time it floods). I believe DEPP works by replacement, on their terms (meaning that they can get you the equipment themselves instead of providing cash for you to do your own shopping). Someone correct me if I'm wrong...
It took 4 months to get my money back. And I spent A LOT of energy on that. I plan to write a report on my experience with it on my blog some day as I find that such experience are interesting.
My main complain is about the lack of visibility about the claim progress and the dramatic communication.
As for H2OInsurance they don't cover non us residents.
#3
Posted 22 January 2004 - 01:54 AM
I have been very pleased with them so far. I have just submitted my first claim for a flooded strobe, so i shall know soon just how good they are. But the first signs are promising, they were very courteous and rang me the day they received my claim to let me know they had received it and that they would be looking at it within a couple of days.
The policy is new for old.
Fuji S2 pro, Ikelite housing, 60mm Nikon macro lens, DS50, Nikon SB-102
#4
Posted 31 January 2004 - 03:45 AM
No quibbles or hassle. I was so impressed i actually sent them a e-mail praising them for their help. A first for an insurance company from me!!
Fuji S2 pro, Ikelite housing, 60mm Nikon macro lens, DS50, Nikon SB-102
#5
Posted 17 March 2004 - 12:33 AM
DAN is not possible beacause i'm not a US-Resident
That leaves me with DiveMaster and Depp but in both of there contracts are clauses that could be a problem:
DEPP: They requier to ship Flooded Gear out within 5 days after the flooding occured. What would I do if I am on a live aboard and/or in a part of the world that wont allow me safe shipment.
DM: They have a clause, that they will only cover flooding damages if:
"but only if evidence is supplied that the damaged items have been
serviced in accordance with manufacturers/suppliers recommendations and
that after flooding "First Aid" to the damaged unit is carried out in
accordance with the manufacturers recommendation."
What does that mean exactly?
Another Questions: When you have a housing without electronics: do you cover it for flooding damages or only the actual camera gear?
Thanks Simon
#6
Posted 17 March 2004 - 06:23 AM
Dan has a similar clause about getting a claim started right away after the item is flooded. They don't require you to send in the gear though, just take it to an authorized service center. I haven't found it to be a problem and just started the claim when I returned form my dive trip. I'd check by calling and asking, then following up by email, so you "have it in writing."
"First aid" for digital SLR cameras is pretty much a joke. The usual first aid for a film camera flood is "soak it in fresh water." Well - that doesn't work with a digital SLR now does it? lol.
Whatever you do, you MUST have camera insurance. It may be the only thing that can save your sanity when (not if) your camera gear gets flooded.
Cheers
James
Dual Ikelite Strobes
Photo site - www.reefpix.org
#7
Posted 17 March 2004 - 07:59 AM
DEPP: They requier to ship Flooded Gear out within 5 days after the flooding occured. What would I do if I am on a live aboard and/or in a part of the world that wont allow me safe shipment.
My italics added above...
My experience with a DEPP claim following a flood while a long way from shipping and service... I took the camera and housing to DEPP's annointed service facility in Australia on the first day this was feasible, they looked at it and sent an email to DEPP saying that repair of the camera was not feasible. I then carried the housing back to the US and shipped it myself to Ikelite for repair.
Time from flood to shipping for repair was more than two weeks, nobody even blinked and the claim was handled in a reasonable and rapid fashion. If I had been in Florida it probably would have been different. I think that there is a certain amount of common sense on the part of the DEPP people in situations like this, and they will not deny a claim if you flooded a camera/housing while a long way from anywhere as long as you show some reasonable effort to notify them as soon as it is actually possible.
D300, D200, D70, 12-24 f4 AFS DX, 60mm f2.8, 70-200 f2.8 AF-S VR, 105 f2.8 AF-S VR, Tokina Wunderlens.
Photo galleries @ Ruaux.net
#8
Posted 17 March 2004 - 10:28 AM
We bought a policy for our liveaboard trip with Nekton to Mona Island last month. I shopped the web and they had the best coverage and price.
I lost my wedding band on the first day of diving. Good thing my wife was with me or I would have gotten a lot more grief!
I didn't have it scheduled on my home owner's policy...my bad!...but I checked with the travel insurance and found that they cover up to $250 per piece of jewelry. Didn't cover the cost of the ring, but it was better than nothing!
I downloaded forms online and mailed everything to them. I got a check in less than two weeks.
A very good experience and I'll use them again!
Karl
www.kdietz.com
#9
Posted 26 March 2004 - 04:59 AM
Joe
#10
Posted 26 March 2004 - 05:43 AM
I hope that's not the case, I'd hate for a few unethical people to ruin it for the rest of us. Of course, it's possible that they have just had to pay out more as digicams are less "repairable" after a flood than film cameras.

#11
Posted 26 March 2004 - 09:20 AM
But it may have gone up since then.
Cheers
Jame
Dual Ikelite Strobes
Photo site - www.reefpix.org
#12
Posted 26 March 2004 - 09:25 AM
The other alternative is that Joe crossed a threshold, even if the dollar amount was close, and the insurance rates jumped because of that.
My policy is up for renewal in about a month, so if I remember, I'll post then,
#13
Posted 29 March 2004 - 03:54 PM
#14
Posted 31 March 2004 - 02:27 PM
"ITEMS LOST WHILE IN YOUR CARE, CUSTODY AND CONTROL -- WHILE IN USE BOTH IN AND OUT OF THE WATER, DROPPED OVERBOARD OR SWPET OVER-BOARD" (yes, it is listed in all caps)
The second states that if your equipment is stolen, you have to notify the local authorities immediately.
I asked for clarification on the first clause, and I received this as a reply:
"The exclusion states that if your equipment is swept overboard or you lose
equipment while diving, it is not covered. The program is designed to cover
your equipment due to loss while in the possession of the airline, i.e. if
the airlines lose your equipment or it is damaged, and for theft and damage,
i.e. water damage."
What I want is insurance that also covers accidental or forced loss. I will probably drop my camera if I'm in a life-threatening situation and have to ditch it to survive. But once I recover, I want my insurance to cover it.
Any tips?

#15
Posted 31 March 2004 - 03:03 PM

#16
Posted 31 March 2004 - 06:56 PM
1) Do you complete loss of equipment while diving (under extreme
circumstances, like life-threatening conditions)?
We do cover loss with a letter from the dive boat operation verifing circumstances of loss and whether the equipement was looked for and if not why such as rough water, too deep, rip current etc.
2) Do you cover complete loss of equipment due to it being swept overboard?
We also cover loss due to this with the same requirment as above required.
3) Do you cover non-diving, non-photographic equipment like computers?
We cover dive computers only no laptops or accessories. We do cover land camera once you have met the DEPP policy requirements. These requirements are that you must have one BCD, one Regulator and one other dive related items listed before camera gear is eligible.
#17
Posted 12 April 2004 - 04:49 PM
astrl
#18
Posted 12 April 2004 - 07:42 PM
DAN people were not very friendly over e-mail when I was trying to get clarification of how they handle loss (they don't cover loss AT ALL if you are in possession of the item when you lose it -- above, or below water). This means that if you break your camera accidentally, it is covered. but if it is broken, falls to the boat's floor, and someone kicks it over, you're S.O.L.
DEPP covers complete loss if you get the boat to sign a statement saying that it was because of extraordinary circumstances. But DEPP doesn't always give you cash, and will sometimes replace lost/damaged equipment with something equivalent.
well. I have a week or two to decide.
#19
Posted 12 April 2004 - 09:59 PM
I spent about 5 hours on the phone with both DAN and DEPP this past week. I have policies with both... I've been with DEPP for about 5 years, DAN for 2. Yes, DAN's policy just went up 30%+ and also added a couple of exclusions. Long ago, DEPP's flood premium wasn't too bad... then it went up... DAN offered a slightly better rate on gear until you actually flood it... then, because deductible is so high, you pay through the shorts.
Now, with DAN's increases, I think DEPP offers the better plan- at least if you don't need to insure everything for flood.
I never have flooded gear, but with the new pricey digital cameras out there now it's a real concern. By far the biggest risk for me is theft or loss while traveling.
You are right- DAN's new exclusion (loss, wash overboard, etc.) sucks. I spoke at length with Jay about it. I brought up the emergency camera ditch situation, and they won't cover it. And if I'm standing in a boat shooting whales and drop camera over, they won't cover it anymore. Bad news.
I also argued about the practicality of filing a police report IMMEDIATELY in some overseas locations... Believe me, this sometimes is not possible. DAN couldn't comment...
DAN's problem- no screening mechanism. No price breaks for good record (ie no claims). Lots of claims have resulted in them losing big bucks, according to the execs. DAN has just priced themselves out of the game, if you have lots of gear (say 20-40k) to insure.
Everyone needs to take a serious look at the deductibles... work the numbers between the two plans... for example, to insure say one $10 k gear setup (1ds, lens, and housing, for ex) for flood for one year, and to flood it that year, costs approx $750 for DEPP and $1300 for DAN...
Work the numbers for your own situation....
brandon
#20
Posted 12 April 2004 - 11:37 PM
Of course, I would not be covered if I dropped the whole rig in 1000' of water, but that does not seem too likely.
Canon 5D; Aquatica housing; 2 Inon Z220 strobes; Canon 100mm macro, 17-40mm ; Sigma 15mm FE, 24mm macro, 50mm macro