Advice for Insurance while shooting overseas

[Omar N]

Hello everyone,

I am wondering if someone might be able to provide some best practices information on obtaining insurance when taking expensive cameras such as the Scarlet over seas. I have a shoot this summer that will entail working in some perilous areas and most of the locals have recommended I obtain camera insurance. I know about RED armor, but am also curious what other people have done as I know many on this board have travelled to some risky parts of the globe with these cameras.

At the moment, I am looking into Red armor and travelers insurance. Am I missing any thing else?

Thank you,
~Omar

 

[Brad Webb]

My insurance covers my gear world wide, except for a few exceptions like North Korea, Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Check with your current insurance to see if your gear is covered, or talk to the best insurance agent on earth - Kat Wong

kwong@fdean.com
Francis L. Dean & Associates

 

[Jeffrey Loewe]

I went to my local State farm and insured it up to 40 grand with a $0 deductible. It covers international with the exception of countries in conflicts. I pay around $359 annually.

 

[Omar N]

Thank you for the replies.

Jeffery, what type of insurance did you purchase?

 

[Peter Majtan]

Do not forget to setup an ATA Carnet - essentially a passport for equipment that will allow you to cross borders without getting stuck in the customs. This camera is high value item and not considered as personal effect. You will run into some serious trouble without the carnet. Just put ATA Carnet in google...

Peter

Edit: Not sure where you are going, but check the list of the countries that recognize the carnet on the main website:

http://www.atacarnet.com/

 

[Leslie August]

You can also purchase insurance for your equipment when you get a carnet. Here is the link to the insurance information.

 

[Nikhil Kamkolkar]

Do not forget to setup an ATA Carnet - essentially a passport for equipment that will allow you to cross borders without getting stuck in the customs. This camera is high value item and not considered as personal effect. You will run into some serious trouble without the carnet. Just put ATA Carnet in google...

Peter

Edit: Not sure where you are going, but check the list of the countries that recognize the carnet on the main website:

http://www.atacarnet.com/

WOW! This is information that I had never come across before and had always wondered if I could really just take the camera across borders without being hassled by customs. Has anyone used this to enter/exit India with the camera? Curious. Thanks!

 

[Sulekh Suman]

WOW! This is information that I had never come across before and had always wondered if I could really just take the camera across borders without being hassled by customs. Has anyone used this to enter/exit India with the camera? Curious. Thanks!

Nikhil,

I am taking my Epic to India on Friday. Carnet is only Valid for Trade shows. I have applied for it. If it's priced reasonably then I may get it. Besides I am not going for a trade show so I am not sure. I will probably have to declare it at the customs in Delhi, get it entered on my passport. Will let you know how that goes. I am looking to get an insurance in the meanwhile which will cover it in the US and internationally.

 

[Rob Gardner]

Most insurance company will not cover anything going into a war zone or any place considered dangerous beyond the ordinary. My experience with insurance companies is that they are your best pal when they are selling you insurance, but when you take a loss (particularly overseas) the dark side can come out (or at least the fine print). This means the selection of an insurance company and very clear understanding of the coverage is very important.

 

[Leslie August]

Here are the Indian ports that officially accept carnets. As mentioned above, you need to check with the carnet specialists to ascertain whether your trip qualifies under the carnet convention for exhibitions and fairs into India: info@atacarnet.com.

• New Delhi (North India)
• Mumbai (West India)
• Kolkata (formerly Calcutta, East India)
• Chennai (South India)
• Cochin (South India)
• Bangalore (South India)
• Ahmedabad (West India)
• Hyderabad - ICD (South India)

 

[Peter Majtan]

Carnet is not only for expos - if your agent is trying to tell you that, time to change the agent. Carnet is the only way to temporarily import expensive gear into India (and other carnet-participating countries) - unless you are prepared to post a bond for the full tax value of your gear (how much tax you would have to pay if you imported the gear into that country) and then go through hell to get it back on exit... I have seen personally motion control rig stuck in Delhi customs for two weeks ruining the production schedule and costing $ 20K USD extra to the producers, not counting the bribes to customs to get it out...

 

[Nikhil Kamkolkar]

Carnet is not only for expos - if your agent is trying to tell you that, time to change the agent. Carnet is the only way to temporarily import expensive gear into India ...

So working on a shoot there counts and is one of the reasons to use a Carnet?