Camera insurance
Whether photography is your passion or profession, you’ll want to make sure you have the right camera equipment insurance wherever you’re snapping. But will your home contents or personal possessions insurance cover the cost of your camera if it’s lost, stolen or damaged?
Find out how camera insurance works in our helpful guide.
Whether photography is your passion or profession, you’ll want to make sure you have the right camera equipment insurance wherever you’re snapping. But will your home contents or personal possessions insurance cover the cost of your camera if it’s lost, stolen or damaged?
Find out how camera insurance works in our helpful guide.
What is camera insurance?
Camera insurance is a policy that protects your camera against more than the warranty. The right policy could protect your camera from accidental damage, loss, theft and more.
If you’ve bought an expensive camera, it’s well worth considering camera insurance.
What does camera insurance cover?
Depending on your policy and level of cover, gadget insurance or specialist insurance for camera equipment can include:
- Loss or theft – covers the cost of replacing your camera if it’s lost or stolen.
- Accessories – covers your essential camera equipment and accessories up to a certain value.
- Accidental damage – cover if you drop your camera or spill liquid on it, for example.
- Mechanical breakdown – if your camera is out of warranty, this can cover the repair costs of faulty parts.
- Travel cover – so your camera and equipment are protected against theft and damage while you’re away.
What does camera insurance not cover?
There are a few things that gadget or specialist camera insurance won’t cover. These typically include:
- Theft, if your camera was left unattended in plain sight – for example, on your car seat.
- Wear and tear – problems with your camera if it’s old and worn out through long-term use.
- Cosmetic damage – surface scratches or dents that don’t look pretty but otherwise won’t affect your camera’s functionality.
- Older and second-hand cameras – there’s often an age limit on cameras of between one and three years. Some policies won’t cover second-hand cameras.
- Commercial cameras – if you’re a professional photographer, you’ll need dedicated business insurance to protect you, your camera equipment and anything else relating to your photography business.
Does home insurance cover include camera insurance?
Most contents insurance policies will cover your camera if it’s stolen from your home or damaged in a fire or flood. But most policies have a single-item limit – a cap on how much you can claim for one item.
At Compare the Market, we ask for any items worth more than £1,500 to be specified on your quote – but this limit does vary among home insurance providers.
If you need extra protection, you might want to consider gadget insurance. This could cover all gadgets, including your camera equipment, both at home and while you’re out and about.
Home insurance with camera cover
Compare the Market doesn’t compare standalone camera insurance, but it’s worth considering whether including your camera in your contents insurance would give you enough cover. It can often work out cheaper than taking out a separate standalone gadget or camera insurance policy.
When your compare home insurance quotes with Compare the Market, we can search for quotes that include accidental damage and personal possessions cover outside the home. This could be a suitable alternative to a standalone gadget or specialist policy when deciding on the best camera insurance option for you.
Camera travel insurance
A standard travel insurance policy should cover your personal belongings while you’re away, but you should check to see if it offers enough cover for your camera and equipment. If not, you should consider photography equipment insurance.
Single-item limits on travel insurance policies can be quite low. If your camera is valuable, you might want to consider travel insurance with gadget cover. This can offer a higher level of camera insurance for travel and other gadgets you’re travelling with, like your smartphone or tablet.
Professional camera insurance
If you’re a professional photographer, with expensive cameras, lenses etc., photography equipment insurance is well worth considering. You may need dedicated business insurance that includes cover for your camera and camera equipment.
Business insurance for photographers can cover your business camera and equipment, while also protecting you and your business. Camera equipment insurance for professional photographers can be tailored to include:
- Public liability cover – cover against legal and compensation costs if, say, someone trips over your equipment and is injured or their property is damaged.
- Professional indemnity cover – covers you for claims against poor work: for example, if you’re a wedding photographer and the bride and groom are unhappy with your photography service.
- Employers’ liability – if you hire an assistant, you’ll need this by law. It covers employee compensation if they fall ill or are injured while on a job for you.
How much is camera insurance?
How much camera insurance costs will depend on the policy options you choose. When working out how much cover you need, it’s worth compiling a list of all the photography equipment you own. Don’t forget to include any props and accessories – the total value could add up to more than you think.
Frequently asked questions
Does camera insurance cover video cameras?
If you’re looking for camera cover under your home insurance policy, video cameras should be included. This is as long as they don't exceed your single-item limit. If they do, they’ll need to be listed on your policy separately.
If you’re taking out a specialist policy, you should read the policy wording carefully, to make sure that video equipment insurance is included.
The right film equipment insurance policy could cover your video camera, along with any other gear you use while filming.
Does camera insurance cover lost photos?
Most camera insurance won’t cover loss of photos, videos or data that were on the device when it was lost, stolen or damaged. However, this depends on your policy.
Does camera insurance cover camera equipment?
Most gadget insurance and standalone camera insurance policies will cover several devices, including your camera equipment and camera-related accessories. Check the policy details, though, to be sure you have the cover you need.
Will camera insurance cover water damage?
Most gadget and specialist policies include cover for accidental damage to your camera.
If you have accidental damage cover as part of your home insurance then, yes, it should cover your camera for any type of liquid damage, not just water. Accidental damage cover isn’t typically included in home insurance policies as standard, but you can add it on at an extra cost.
Can I insure a camera with previous damage?
It’s unlikely you’ll be able to get insurance for camera gear that’s not in full working order or a camera that’s more than three years old.
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Helen Phipps - Car and home insurance expert
Having worked in both sides of the industry, Helen’s a real insurance expert. She’s worked directly with several insurance providers and now Comparethemarket. She’s always searching for the cheapest prices for customers and is passionate about saving people money. Being married with two kids, Helen knows all about the cost of living and the benefits of having the right products and insurance for the whole family.
Rachel Lacey - Insurance and money expert
Rachel’s a self-confessed money nerd who’s been writing about personal finance for more than 20 years. She spent 17 years writing for Moneywise, including a few years as Editor, and likes making complicated subjects like insurance, pensions, investing and tax, easy for people to understand.