Travelling with kit

Roo · Travelling with kit

Sorry if you've already read this on W&W, but there might be someone who can help on here.

I've found myself with a last minute job in Spain next week, the thing is I've not travelled abroad since family holidays. I'm going to have to check up luggage allowances and sizes, but I need insurance for my gear, does anyone offer travel insurance for photographers or is there an insurer who does insurance short term?

Any other tips for plane travel with camera/laptop etc please let me know. (I'm leaving from London Gatwick)

bluebomberx

I'm not sure about European insurance companies, but here in the US most insurance companies will sell what is often called an inland/marine policy for things like photography equipment.

Hamish

Aargh. There are a few insurers that offer monthly cover abroad, including reasonable rates covering all pro work. Can't remember the names but I'll see if I can dig them out.

JAW

Sorry, i can't really offer you advice about that apart from making sure that camera/equipment and laptop goes in your hand luggage as bags often get lost at airports!

Best of luck though, and do post your results when you're back (if possible)

Roo

My camera bag is right on the size limit for hand luggage, I hope I can get away with it!

I think I'm just gonna take out a years insurance, gonna cost a bit but I suppose it's essential.

George

I've got Endsleigh student cover on my kit and they cover for accidental damage anywhere in the world...

JAW

George

http://www.endsleigh.co.uk/index.html

Its covered anywhere in the UK and for 30 days in the world...so as long as you're abroad for not too long then its fine.

My student cover was 120 for the year for like 2,500 of stuff plus iPod, 700 quid of camera and 700 of computer stuff.

mikedeere

Endsleigh worked out fucking expensive for my camera insurance, so I've changed to PhotoGuard.

They offer massive amounts of cover (£25K as STANDARD) with any additional options you can think of including no excess to be paid, in vehicle cover and international cover. They also offer indemnity insurance incase you lose the photos from a job.

Also, no need to worry about waiting for hte paperwork to arrive before your trip, they send you a PDF of your policy details straight away.

They're also by far the cheapest I've found, especially for the massive level of cover they include. I'm paying £10 a month for all of mine and Nikki's equipment with the option for no excess to be paid, covered for absolutely any occurance (sans in-vehicle as we don't drive yet) including fire, theft and even if I'm just being a klutz.

As for size limitations on baggage, you'll be fine. Most airlines are really lax on it, as long as it's a reasonable sized bag then they're not going to care if its a couple of centimetres over.

Remove your camera and laptop batterries though, there's new policies on them for some reason and you may have to put them in a clear plastic bag with some airlines now. Don't worry about this though, you'll be informed at check-in.

Roo

Hola!

Little taster, but it's probably all I'll put up. Sierra Espuna.

As for insurance, I looked into photoguard, but wasn't too comfortable going with them so in the end I went for Towergate, paying a little more but felt it was the better deal.