It’s hard to believe that a few months ago South Africans were dealing with curfews, alcohol bans and restricted social gatherings. While things have mostly returned to normal, there might be a few habits you’ve retained from your time in lockdown. Many of us found ourselves spending more time at home and with socialising off the table, decided to pursue a hobby or develop a new skill. While this can take many forms, photography has become a popular creative outlet for many.

With South Africa’s colourful cultural makeup, unique scenery and diverse fauna and flora, there’s no shortage of inspiration for established or budding photographers. If you’ve decided to make the switch from smartphone photography to a more formal setup, protecting this investment with insurance will free you up to focus on getting that perfect shot. If you’re not sure how to choose between cheap camera insurance and more costly options, here’s what you need to know about selecting the best camera gear insurance for your budget and needs.

Why camera equipment insurance in South Africa is essential 

Upgrading your camera equipment is exciting, and there are dozens of different products you can purchase to enhance your photography skills and output. You might want to invest in a quality DSLR or mirrorless camera and a range of lenses and lens filters. You might want a protective and sturdy camera bag and a decent-sized memory card for storage. You could also purchase a tripod for landscape photography, a flash for night-time photography or extra batteries if you'll be away from power sources.

Whether you get some or all of these items brand new or preowned, they can add up in cost to a considerable amount of money. Camera gear insurance is essential if you want to protect your investment. While you might look after your equipment well enough to avoid damage, theft is an ever-present concern. According to the South African Police Service’s crime statistics for the fourth quarter of 2021-2022, there's been an increase in home burglaries, theft out of cars and general theft. It means that if you live in South Africa camera equipment insurance is more of a necessity than you might think.

How much does it cost?

Assuming you’re not an advanced photographer (with a correspondingly high budget) you can expect to pay between R1,489 to R67,089 for your digital camera, depending on what brand and type of camera you want, what its capabilities are and if it has any accessories. Your insurance can vary according to many factors and it’s unrealistic to provide a single figure you can expect to pay.  Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to invest in portable possessions insurance and comprehensive home contents insurance. These are complementary products aimed at keeping you covered 24/7.

There are steps you can take to keep your premiums low and prevent your claims from being rejected. It’s important to be honest about the value of your camera and to take steps to protect it when it’s not in use. If you’ve opted for a costlier model, you should have it officially evaluated and ensure your insurer is aware of this official evaluation. You will have to list your camera and photographic equipment as specified items in your insurance. You should also update your camera gear inventory with your insurer if you purchase any additional items. For instance, your camera and lens insurance should be updated whenever you buy or replace a lens. It’s recommended you invest in a safe you can store it in when you’re at home and always keep it locked in your boot or on your person when you’re travelling.

How to insure camera gear as a business?

There might come a point when you start using your camera professionally and offering your photography services for hire. If you take this step, you’ll need to change your insurance to business insurance as your camera has now become a vital piece of equipment that helps you to make money. Business insurance can differ in scope and coverage depending on how much you pay or what coverage you need. Similarly to personal camera gear insurance, you’ll also need to adhere to certain terms and conditions to steer clear of voiding your insurance policy and experiencing a hike in your premiums.

How do I insure my camera equipment as a hobbyist?

As mentioned above, investing in both portable possessions insurance and home contents insurance is a good idea. 

Comprehensive home contents insurance will cover you if you experience theft, loss or damage to your camera equipment due to natural or man-made causes while it’s in your home. This is important to have even if you rent your home as your landlord’s building insurance will only cover damage to the structure of the property and not any of the contents.

Portable possessions insurance covers the contents of your car or items that you carry on your person, thus ensuring that your camera and gear are protected. It’s important to remember that vehicle insurance won’t cover your car’s contents when outside your house in the event of theft or an accident. This makes portable possessions insurance a must.

Together, both of the above insurance products will give you peace of mind, whether you’re dabbling in taking photos of your garden or are travelling outside the city to pursue your photography hobby.

Get cheap camera insurance today 

Whether you’ve decided to pursue photography as a potential additional income stream or are just using it to stretch your creative muscles, you deserve to have your investment protected wherever you go. The team at Budget have expertise in all types of Insurance and can provide you with camera gear insurance whether you want business, portable possessions or home contents insurance. To request a quote, simply fill in this online form and a member of our team will get back to you.