nowherean Posted April 7, 2011 Share #1 Â Posted April 7, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I just got back from traveling for two months in India, all the time thinking that I was insured for all my Leica gear. To my dismay, upon calling my insurance company to verify ( Tom C. Pickard ) I was told that they still didn't process my insurance. Â So what was the problem? Two weeks prior to leaving I've decided that insuring my gear is the next logical step, after dumping close to 20K on photo gear. After some research, TCP made sense to use for my needs, and I settled for entertainment floater type of insurance they recommended. Unfortunately the agent I was working with at TCP dragged a rather simple process for the whole two weeks all the way to my departure date! The whole thing was a total mess from the beginning, with her not getting back to me when promised, leaving it up to me to keep calling her back to check the status of my application, etc. In the end after numerous issues and my countless phone calls, she assured me over the phone that I'm set with insurance, and all is good. That was one day before my departure. I asked her to send me confirmation by email, and flew out with my gear to India. Â I never got my confirmation email, but I had no energy to deal with her all the way from India. I assumed that she just once again forgot to email me, and figured I'll ask for that confirmation email when I get back. So now I'm back, called her up to enquire what happened to my confirmation, just to hear her say that she has no idea what I'm talking about. Â After going back and forth and pointing her to my emails, that she still had on her computer, she finally realized her screw-up. That woman never processed my insurance!!! She also told me that Top Pickard is no longer with the company, when I asked if I could talk to him or to anyone else. I didn't want to continue dealing with her, but she was very hesitant to have me talk to anyone else there. In the end I hung up and now trying to figure out who to use for my photo insurance this time. Â Anyone got any recommendations in the US? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GLC Posted April 7, 2011 Share #2 Â Posted April 7, 2011 thats nuts. my friend was on a job in sarajevo and got robbed, he happens to use tcp and had his camera replaced within a week. Â people are people. Â discouraging. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Want-a-leica Posted April 7, 2011 Share #3 Â Posted April 7, 2011 I just got back from traveling for two months in India, all the time thinking that I was insured for all my Leica gear. To my dismay, upon calling my insurance company to verify ( Tom C. Pickard ) I was told that they still didn't process my insurance. Â So what was the problem? Two weeks prior to leaving I've decided that insuring my gear is the next logical step, after dumping close to 20K on photo gear. After some research, TCP made sense to use for my needs, and I settled for entertainment floater type of insurance they recommended. Unfortunately the agent I was working with at TCP dragged a rather simple process for the whole two weeks all the way to my departure date! The whole thing was a total mess from the beginning, with her not getting back to me when promised, leaving it up to me to keep calling her back to check the status of my application, etc. In the end after numerous issues and my countless phone calls, she assured me over the phone that I'm set with insurance, and all is good. That was one day before my departure. I asked her to send me confirmation by email, and flew out with my gear to India. Â I never got my confirmation email, but I had no energy to deal with her all the way from India. I assumed that she just once again forgot to email me, and figured I'll ask for that confirmation email when I get back. So now I'm back, called her up to enquire what happened to my confirmation, just to hear her say that she has no idea what I'm talking about. Â After going back and forth and pointing her to my emails, that she still had on her computer, she finally realized her screw-up. That woman never processed my insurance!!! She also told me that Top Pickard is no longer with the company, when I asked if I could talk to him or to anyone else. I didn't want to continue dealing with her, but she was very hesitant to have me talk to anyone else there. In the end I hung up and now trying to figure out who to use for my photo insurance this time. Â Anyone got any recommendations in the US? Â The Insurance Ombudsman. See if you can't pin the whole thing on the insurance company and get a payout. Sounds like gross incompetence on their part. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted April 7, 2011 Share #4 Â Posted April 7, 2011 Nowherean - Â Try USAA. I've been with them since about 1968 when they just insured miliary officers. Terrific organization, very high level of service for sales, service, claims, everything. www.usaa.com Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillCB Posted April 8, 2011 Share #5  Posted April 8, 2011 Nowherean - Try USAA. I've been with them since about 1968 when they just insured miliary officers. Terrific organization, very high level of service for sales, service, claims, everything. www.usaa.com  I used to be in the reinsurance business. USAA is one of the finest companies I dealt with.  Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
*j-w-m* Posted April 8, 2011 Share #6 Â Posted April 8, 2011 I added an "inland marine" feature to my homeowner's insurance, with coverage for professional use as well. Cost was about $250 for a year, for the M9, 35 Cron, 50 Lux and WATE 16/18/21. Seemed pretty reasonable to me and I've been dealing with this agent for about 14 years on all kinds of insurance issues so we have a good relationship and I trust him. I recommend this approach if at all possible, rather than buying from some distant party you'll never meet. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dseelig Posted April 8, 2011 Share #7 Â Posted April 8, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am with the Hartford commercial insurance . No problems getting claims processed and no raises in rates after 2 claims in 3 years. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest WPalank Posted April 8, 2011 Share #8 Â Posted April 8, 2011 I don't think you stated whether you sustained any damage or theft to your gear. You can sue them. Insurance companies typically carry liability insurance much like doctors carry malpractice insurance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nowherean Posted April 8, 2011 Author Share #9 Â Posted April 8, 2011 stuny looks like USAA needs you to have home owner insurance first, no? I just need something that is just for my gear, as I don't own a home. I don't see them offering photo insurance independently of other offers. Also do you know if they cover worldwide by any chance? Â I sustained no damage to my gear so far, but I did ship it out to Leica NJ for adjustment without adding insurance ( thinking I was already insured). Hoping that my M9 arrives safely to Leica NJ. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted April 9, 2011 Share #10 Â Posted April 9, 2011 Nowherean - Â "Homeowners" is a misleading name. It can mean all your things in an apartment, etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted April 9, 2011 Share #11 Â Posted April 9, 2011 Contact the insurance company. The female was an agent of the company and at the least, was incompetent, at most the insurance company still had your back. Â In any case, she will be looking for employment elsewhere. Â I am not sure how agency law works in your situation. I also would try to deal directly from now on. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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