And is subject to your homeowner's policy deductible.
Insurance for Tech Gear
- Thread starter rx7diver
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
And is subject to your homeowner's policy deductible.
Actually, neither occurred in the Deerfield Beach case. Now, I have only filed two homeowner insurance claims for loss by theft in over 30 years of doing business with our carrier (Nationwide), and that may have helped. The insurance outcome part of the Deerfield Beach story: each of us (4) filed claims. Two of us were covered by Nationwide, one by State Farm, and one by another (major) carrier, although I don't remember which one. In all cases, the claims were handled promptly, and fairly, without aftermath consequence. I was reimbursed a (large) percentage of the total claim - which was based on the (higher) replacement value, not loss value, and was told if I submitted receipts / documentation for the purchase of new gear I would receive the additional reimbursement. In fact, with only a couple of exceptions, I purchased used replacement gear (some of it was the actual gear that was stolen and then 'fenced' by Jorge Machin, the pawn shop entrepreneur, on eBay) at lower cost, and was therefore able to replace the gear for what the insurance company reimbursed me. I have no complaints about the insurance coverage, did not have any rider on my homeowner's policy to specifically cover the gear, and would not recommend paying extra for a rider, at least not with Nationwide. One caveat - I keep a fairly detailed electronic inventory of all gear - new and used - purchased (date, cost, model, serial numbers where applicable), even down to things like small hardware. I also deal with a LDS that can provide detailed and dated receipts of all new gear transactions, at any time after purchase. That fact made the process of filing a claim very easy. I have no complaints about the investigating officer / team from the Broward County Sherriff's Office, who were responsive and informative. I DO have complaints about the essentially unresponsive and useless detective assigned to the case. But, even with that, I am aware that there are probably many, more important, cases assigned to each detective - domestic violence, personal injury, assault, etc. - and it is hard to priortize a case where some out-of-staters, who probably appear to be reasonably affluent, lose some toys.
No, not at all! Nothing, whatsoever, on the outside of the trailer - it was truly a plain vanilla wrapper - with the possible exception of an out-of-state license plate and a locked door (that didn't hold up well to a crowbar). The investigating officer said that it was quite possible that the thieves were looking for lawn maintenance equipment - apparently a high priority theft target in south Florida. In fact, the on-line pawn shop that 'fenced' the stolen scuba gear on eBay has historically offered a lot of lawn equipment, as well as construction site equipment - all very portable items that have resale value and a reasonably good market for resale.
You are right, we were not aware of the level of crime in the area. Nor were we aware, until the investigating officer told us, that the hotel we used (Extended Stay America) is apparently sited immediately adjacent to the 'largest Haitian immigrant ghetto in south Florida' - his words. What was also interesting is that the investigating officer said that, had we elected to stay in a hotel on the east side of the Interstate, we might have avoided the problem, as the number of thefts on the west side of the Interstate is very high, while the number on the east side is relatively low. He didn't suggest that was a guarantee, just an epidemiological observation which we will heed next time.
FULLY AGREE!! In fact, a lot of valuable stuff was actually in the hotel rooms with us - computers, for example, some exposure (dry) suits (including mine), some regulators, but not all. But, that was not so much because we were concerned about theft, but were downloading data, planning for the next day, drying out gear, etc. Had we been on a first floor, in a hotel with a better elevator, we might have taken more gear inside. Lesson learned.
Very good point. In our case, that issue did not come up, at least not with Nationwide or State Farm. Although I am an instructor, this was not a concern. In addition, one of the other divers (also covered by Nationwide) is both an instructor and a shop owner as well. But, this was a recreational trip, and none of the gear was taken to FL, nor being used, for business purposes.M. Bipartitus:
Also a VERY good point.Scott L:
I added a special rider to our homeowners policy to ensure it's covered. I had to provide a list of my gear and replacement cost. It was a long list!
We use our local farm bureau for insurance. When we've checked in the past they were very competitive.
We use our local farm bureau for insurance. When we've checked in the past they were very competitive.
Im shocked at this. I've heard of such nightmare stories about people trying to collect on insurance polices lately.
One of my best friends has a neighbor who owns an insurance agency. He says it's brutal - companies are denying legitimate claims left and right for these tiny little loopholes.
My GF is currently going through this god awful battle with her homeowners over a legitimate claim. She had a sewer pipe break underneath her foundation. She's on the forum, so I'll let her chime in and tell her side of the story, but she has had to sue them to get payment. for 6+ months now, she has been living at my house, since she can't flush the toilet in her own house. I'm told her issue is not uncommon here. Look at all the DEPP threads we see here on SB.
The whole insurance business skeeves me out right now.
Thank God for USAA! My friend's sewer broke under the house. USAA told her that she was covered to get to the broken pipe, but apologetically informed her it would not cover the cost of the repairs as that was considered maintenance.
Excavating under the house - $12k+. Repair and replacement of the piping (she did it all since it was open) - $283.00 . . . USAA - Priceless!
Excavating under the house - $12k+. Repair and replacement of the piping (she did it all since it was open) - $283.00 . . . USAA - Priceless!
That's one reason we use the local farm bureau, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance in this instance. They're local, live in the community and we know them. My wife and her family have had the same agent for over 25 years.
Our local State Farm agent lives across the street. I don't care. I won't use them. The large insurance companies, State Farm included, are all about making a profit and couldn't give a crap about screwing people.
I did have to add a rider however because our policy had a very specific limit for sports equipment. I obviously had many times that limit in scuba gear in the house or in my vehicle when diving. The rider really wasn't that expensive. Well worth it to know it's all covered.
Our local State Farm agent lives across the street. I don't care. I won't use them. The large insurance companies, State Farm included, are all about making a profit and couldn't give a crap about screwing people.
I did have to add a rider however because our policy had a very specific limit for sports equipment. I obviously had many times that limit in scuba gear in the house or in my vehicle when diving. The rider really wasn't that expensive. Well worth it to know it's all covered.
OP
Colliam7,
Thanks for your post, especially for your recommendation. I've kept nearly every receipt for major scuba purchases over the years, but I had never bothered to create a ledger. I'm doing this now to help with my impending decision regarding type and/or amount of additional insurance for my scuba gear.
Safe Diving,
Ronald
Scott L
Contributor
I am about 90% sure that DAN's lost gear replacement refers to your gear being lost in the event of an accident, like if your teammate cuts you out of your harness and let's your kit disappear into the darkness...
Similar threads
