Concerned: DEPP Insurance

[brianmered 0]

I recently insured my camera, strobes, lenses, etc. with DEPP insurance after reading all of the positive reports posted on Wetpixel. I faxed the completed forms as detailed on the first page and have heard no more from them. My credit card was debited on the 1st February for $671.50.

I sent an e-mail to the address shown on their website but have not received a reply....? Could anyone let me know if they have received an insurance policy from DEPP and how long did it take from the time of completing and sending off the paperwork.

 

thanks and regards....Brian

[TheRealDrew 0]

I recently insured my camera, strobes, lenses, etc. with DEPP insurance after reading all of the positive reports posted on Wetpixel. I faxed the completed forms as detailed on the first page and have heard no more from them. My credit card was debited on the 1st February for $671.50.

I sent an e-mail to the address shown on their website but have not received a reply....? Could anyone let me know if they have received an insurance policy from DEPP and how long did it take from the time of completing and sending off the paperwork.

 

thanks and regards....Brian

 

 

Depending on how jammed up they are sometimes it takes time, but if they charged your card you should be covered. Give them a call, sometimes emails get caught in spam filters and the rest. I have had insurance with them now for aout 5-6 years or so and they are good so far. Not even sure if I received an official notice ever from them now that I think about it. You may be also able to log into the site to see what is listed for you.

[Warren_L 0]

Depending on how jammed up they are sometimes it takes time, but if they charged your card you should be covered. Give them a call, sometimes emails get caught in spam filters and the rest. I have had insurance with them now for aout 5-6 years or so and they are good so far. Not even sure if I received an official notice ever from them now that I think about it. You may be also able to log into the site to see what is listed for you.

 

I have a few concerns also. I've been with DEPP for 5 years now, and never had to make a claim. I renewed recently and made some changes. I always request they email me confirmation with a list of items covered. For whatever reason, they say they are emailing it, but it never arrives. I don't know if it is a problem with their email, but something seems not quite right. I've spoken with Dixie a number of times and she's always been pleasant and eager to help, and even says that she is resending the emails while I am on the phone with her, yet I receive nothing. She did mention they were having email problems, and I suppose that might be it. It's only been the past year since this has been happening. What concerns me is the ever increasing reports of this sort of occurence with the lack or absence of communication.

Edited March 18, 2008 by Warren_L

[brianmered 0]

Thanks for the responses, I guess I'll give it a little longer and hope I don't flood in the meantime...! Strange that it should take so long to sort e-mail troubles.

 

 

Brian

 

 

I have a few concerns also. I've been with DEPP for 5 years now, and never had to make a claim. I renewed recently and made some changes. I always request they email me confirmation with a list of items covered. For whatever reason, they say they are emailing it, but it never arrives. I don't know if it is a problem with their email, but something seems not quite right. I've spoken with Dixie a number of times and she's always been pleasant and eager to help, and even says that she is resending the emails while I am on the phone with her, yet I receive nothing. She did mention they were having email problems, and I suppose that might be it. It's only been the past year since this has been happening. What concerns me is the ever increasing reports of this sort of occurence with the lack or absence of communication.

[rtrski 20]

...Not even sure if I received an official notice ever from them now that I think about it.

 

I've not insured with them, so have no experience. I don't doubt you when you say you've had no real problems with them, but frankly this would scare me to death, and I've seen more and more of these sorts of posts here and on SB (I know, internet forums is a self-selected membership so you can't draw any statistical conclusions from it, but the anecdotal evidence seems to be there). If I spend $100s for a policy, I want a piece of paper that tells me that I'm covered, with starting and expiration dates, limitations, etc. I guess I've just been screwed too many times by insurance companies to not want to just 'trust' that I'm covered because they cashed a check. They may be great people and stand by their word, but that's just not good business practice, to me.

[TheRealDrew 0]

I've not insured with them, so have no experience. I don't doubt you when you say you've had no real problems with them, but frankly this would scare me to death, and I've seen more and more of these sorts of posts here and on SB (I know, internet forums is a self-selected membership so you can't draw any statistical conclusions from it, but the anecdotal evidence seems to be there). If I spend $100s for a policy, I want a piece of paper that tells me that I'm covered, with starting and expiration dates, limitations, etc. I guess I've just been screwed too many times by insurance companies to not want to just 'trust' that I'm covered because they cashed a check. They may be great people and stand by their word, but that's just not good business practice, to me.

 

 

Sorry, should clarify - I originally signed up about 6 years ago and do not recall if I got paper or not, though I have always gotten a response about what was covered (when I requested a list, which includes the values) and I had two of my claims paid out. One down side is that technology changes so quickly that it is hard to find a proper replacement for a camera unless you go eBay or something similar. My last time around DEPP had actually changed their policy/procedure to allow people to find a replacement and reimburse the cost (as oppossed to having to select a new replacement item of similar value.)

 

What Warren said rings true to me also, it does seem that the last year or so are where I found communications are slower. - my basis for finding it slower based on my last claim (which was paid), but my follow ups on the claim status went unaswered until my check actually showed up. So overall I do not have any issues with them though I see why the communication issue is troubling.

 

It probably would be a good idea for DEPP to perhaps explain a bit more as to what is going on if many people are running into issues with communications. Have you seen other posts where DEPP has done other things? I saw you mentioned somethings on SB ...

[rtrski 20]

Yeah, there have been other threads recently similar to this one - is DEPP still alive, I don't get replies, others post they do and are happy, yadda yadda. Like I said, its not a statistical sampling by any means, and I don't intend to start or promulgate a witch-hunt. But its just enough to make me shiver a little and personally want to look elsewhere when I do insure...

[mpeng 0]

I would have to agree with rtrski

 

I am not insured with DEPP but with h2oinsurance through DAN. You sign up and they immediately e-mail you your policy.

 

I have had to make claims for damaged equipment using this vendor, and have had absolutely no problems.

 

Obviously this does not help your current situation, but may help others viewing this post.

 

Thanks.

[DrFiscus 2]

I would have to agree with rtrski

 

I am not insured with DEPP but with h2oinsurance through DAN. You sign up and they immediately e-mail you your policy.

 

I have had to make claims for damaged equipment using this vendor, and have had absolutely no problems.

 

Obviously this does not help your current situation, but may help others viewing this post.

 

Thanks.

I concur with the above reply - I just updated my H2O insurance with DAN this morning and got the new policy info e-mailed immediately - and of course the bill on my credit card. The two claims I have had with them were handled quickly and satisfactorily

Andy

.

[mrbubbles 0]

I have dan insurance. I recently flooded a nikon d2x. All I had to do was send the camera to nikon, and have them state it was unreparable from salt water damage. I didnt need any form, receipt or proof of ownership or purchace. I didnt need to send them the camera. I faxed a copy of the report saying what the asked for, and within a week I got a check for $4000.

[vetdiver 8]

Hi -

 

I had the same scenario occur very recently (we leave in a few days for the trip I was freaking about, below) and posted on Scubaboard about it last week. I suspect they will get to your paperwork, and in their support, all my friends with DEPP have had no issues with reimbursement. However, from my standpoint, it is nerve-racking waiting for them...and perhaps - um - someone needs to suggest to them that they not swear up-n-down in their voice mail message that they will call you back within 24 hours.

 

 

Why it irks me that I have DEPP insurance....

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

I have DAN equipment insurance right now, but I have been wanting to switch to DEPP ever since I made the switch to dSLR - I really like the whole "drop overboard and it's covered" aspect, and I am also a fan of the fact that you can CHOOSE what is insured against flooding. I like having my drysuit insured against theft/loss, for instance, but not so sure that I am interested in flood insurance for it!

 

So maybe 2 months ago, I called them. I spoke with a woman who let me know what needed to be done to set my policy up. I did what was asked, faxed everything in, and nothing. Days go by. Weeks - more than 2 - go by. An upcoming trip was approaching, and I was starting to panic. I called them and left messages, about 4 over a period of a week. I heard back NOTHING. I did not receive any phone calls back (as requested), emails (I do check my junk email), faxes...nada.

 

I finally - after a month of waiting - called DAN and updated my insurance with them, even though I really wanted to switch to DEPP.

 

Yesterday, I got home from work, and awaiting me in my snail mailbox? You guessed it. My insurance policy from DEPP. I immediately called them, explained the situation, and asked to have the flood premium refunded - everything else, I decide to keep for now - at least a few things will be covered if they get dropped. The woman I spoke to (who shall remain nameless) insisted that they had emailed me the policy twice - they certainly had not, as I had anxiously been waiting for it and checked my junk mail folder daily.

 

Then the kicker. She tried to tell me that my DAN policy wouldn't cover any floods that occur outside of the US - I believe the exact statement is, your stuff will not be covered for international travel. Unless the DAN insurance website is completely incorrect, THAT is an out-and-out lie. From their website:

 

Territorial Limits – We will cover property wherever located (worldwide).

 

Sadly, I still want DEPP insurance....at least now I have a small policy so that I can alter it to add everything I want in the future....

Edited March 18, 2008 by vetdiver

[mrbubbles 0]

Well my experience is they do cover it. It couldnt have been easier. I think coverage is most cost effective if you just cover the big stuff. I insure the housing and camera only

[Warren_L 0]

I have considered switching to H2Oinsurance through DAN, but their policies are no good in Canada..... not everyone is from the States.

[SParkinson 0]

I have considered switching to H2Oinsurance through DAN, but their policies are no good in Canada..... not everyone is from the States.

 

 

so people are even further away than that

[Marjo 8]

I have had troubles every single time I'v had an issue. They dpn't reply on your e-mails and if they do, it soemtimes takes months. I have asked them now for MONTHS to supply me with the list of my insured equipment as I cannot log into their website and they have not responded despite practically begging them to send me the list. They did not cover my last claim and said the particular piece of equipment was not onl the list of insured equipment. I am 99.99% sure it was on the list,. but have no way to check on this as they will niot send me what they belive to be "my lastest list". If I had an option I would go with another insurance company, but apparently there is noone elese that has a program that works in the VI. The few times I have actually got to talk to the ladies at DEPP they seem noce enough, but I relaly and truly wish that they would be more responsive. It's very frustrating dealing with them and I just don't know what to do to... Subsequenl;ty I have "dealt" with the sitauations lately by jusy paying up for repairs etc myslef. Luckily I have Ikelite gear which rearely fails and when some help is needed its failrly reasonable to get repaired and they have fast and promt service. I am fearing the day I might have problem that affects the actual camera gear tho...

[red3 0]

I did not know that the DAN Insurance was only for the US......I recently had my entire rig (5D/Aquatica) taken, and not returned by a tiger shark. Once I convinced the people at DAN that I was serious, that it really did happen I had a check in about ten days.....Thank you DAN

[StephenFrink 9]

I have dan insurance. I recently flooded a nikon d2x. All I had to do was send the camera to nikon, and have them state it was unreparable from salt water damage. I didnt need any form, receipt or proof of ownership or purchace. I didnt need to send them the camera. I faxed a copy of the report saying what the asked for, and within a week I got a check for $4000.

 

 

I wrote an article about camera floods for Scuba Diving Magazine a few months ago, linked here: http://stephenfrink.com/sf-tips/200802-fear-of-flooding/

 

The final paragraph had to do with insurance. Here's a quote: "I can’t speak for all camera insurance companies, but when I suffered a recent flood, I had camera insurance with Divers Alert Network (www.h2oinsurance.com), and the service was amazing. The flood happened on a Wednesday, and by Friday, I had a request for documentation of whether the camera and lens could be repaired (not!). On Saturday I emailed my supporting documentation, and incredibly, I heard back from the agent the same day. By Monday morning, a check had been issued and sent in the mail!

 

Some insurance companies offer depreciated replacement value on camera equipment. In this case, I paid premiums based on a certain replacement cost, and I was issued a check at that price, minus the $100 deductible. The replacement camera I bought was newer and better than the one I’d lost, no surprise since it was several years farther along the digital evolutionary trail. While this didn’t lessen the angst and disappointment of seeing my beloved D-SLR dripping saltwater all over the boat deck, it did make getting back into the action a lot less painful!"

 

That is a significant difference between the 2 companies. If you flood a D2X, maybe you want another D2X. But MAYBE you are ready for a D3 now. With DEPP, as I understand it, you get the D2X since that was what you were specifically insured for. It is nice that DAN gives you the insured value, less deductible, so you can decide how you want to spend it on what camera. Their insurance is underwritten by Fireman's Fund, Omaha, Nebraska. I was extremely pleased with their ethics and punctuality.

Edited April 17, 2008 by StephenFrink

[PIG004 0]

I did not know that the DAN Insurance was only for the US......I recently had my entire rig (5D/Aquatica) taken, and not returned by a tiger shark. Once I convinced the people at DAN that I was serious, that it really did happen I had a check in about ten days.....Thank you DAN

 

I saw a picture recently of a tiger with a 2 strobe set up in its mouth?

Apparently the photographer pushed the shark in the eye as it got too close and kind of up set it?

 

Was that your rig?

[james 0]

When my wife's 20D and lenses were stolen, DEPP worked with me to replace the camera with a 5D as the cost was about the same. Needless to say, I was extremely pleased with that.

 

I have used both DAN and DEPP in the past and was pleased with both in fact.

 

Regards,

James Wiseman

[TheRealDrew 0]

With DEPP, as I understand it, you get the D2X since that was what you were specifically insured for. It is nice that DAN gives you the insured value, less deductible, so you can decide how you want to spend it on what camera. Their insurance is underwritten by Fireman's Fund, Omaha, Nebraska. I was extremely pleased with their ethics and punctuality.

 

 

FWIW, with DEPP they have changed things a bit in light of the fact that cameras go in and out of style so quickly, they will pay up to the amount you insured for since it is often difficult to get a replacement, though I am not sure if it applies if the camera is still readily available. From what I am reading though so far, it looks like I may switch over, the DAN version seems to offer some things that are better. Smaller deductible and the total freedom as you described.

[rtrski 20]

Don't rule out a 'personal article policy' from your normal (home/car) insurer. I just got one for $6500 replacement coverage, for $85/year**, thru State Farm (I think the underwriter was Fireman's same as DAN uses). It's a totally separate policy than either home or car, so while they might choose not to renew it if I have a claim, it by statute CAN NOT influence my homeowner or car insurance rates if I have a claim.

 

**FYI, the cost would have been more had I had to claim I was a "professional" photog. I had to sign that I had never been paid to take photos. Note the distinction: winning money in a contest or eventually selling one is getting paid FOR a photo, not being paid (contracted, in advance) TO take photos. Of course for me even the distinction doesn't matter.

[longipalmus 0]

DEPP insurance company: If anyone knows what is going on with this company ... I took a contract with them back in 2007. I had a claim.After months, they wrote me an e-mail (I live abroad) saying they sent me a check by post. The money never arrived, my mails and calls never never answered.They even hanged up on me. Had to go to Africa for my job, now it is 2009, after 50+e-mails, phone calls and letters since 2007, what to think?

I wish someone would help me out to get those 1900€ (2700$) back.Any help would be very much appreciated

[AlanWilliams 0]

Have been insured with DEPP for many years but never filed a claim. Delta lost ALL of my dive gear after a trip to the Revillagigedos last Dec. When I tried to file a claim (and it took 3 weeks to finally get a response) DEPP said I had to "wait and see what Delta does" before I could file. After 3 MONTHS of ranting and begging, Delta miraculously "found" all of my lost equipment! I will not be re-uping with DEPP due to this incident and am looking into a local company for coverage. It seemed the only prompt service offered by DEPP was billing my AMEX for the policy.