What Photographic Insurance? - and my story about Photoguard

[Neil]

Hey all,

While travelling in the Americas, I recently "lost" an irreplaceable tripod a couple of weeks back from my bike. I had I thought thankfully, with my insurance policy I had taken out with the tripod and serial number submitted on the itinerary i'd get some money towards what I lost and then have the hard job of trying to find a similar product to replace it.

So I went on a limb to be very clear with my opening message to PhotoGuard my then insurer, to explain my situation carefully and ask them what kind of information they required to action my claim.

The following day when I got the chance to check my mail. I'm received opened to see my email from PhotoGuard, I couldn't wait to be given instructions about filing a theft report or sending them photos. To my disappointment and to what can only be described as an snooty email and in contempt of my claim, explicite telling me that my tripod was not going to be covered for my negligence (blanket judgement without knowing the details).

Ironically, this was 2 weeks before my insurance cover was about to elapse and never in the year of the insurance had I made any claims for any damage or stolen bits of gear.


I responded rather heatedly to explain that their pre-judgements were not only unfair but also unprofessional and unsympathetic to what that piece of equipment meant to me. I know out here in Mexico trying to acquire a carbon fibre giottos tripod isn't even remotely possible.

So my advice ladies and gentlemen. If you're in the market for insurance think carefully about who your use.

Slip side, I'd happily accept any advice of photo insurers who will likely help you out after. A decent testimonial of a alternative would be welcomed with opened arms


...as I'm currently uninsured, and going by the service rendered by PhotoGuard I probably never was going to be covered by the ineptitude.