OK - just had a real near miss with my new lens. To cut a long story short, I paused to check my camera was securely attached to my camera strap, you now, to make sure it was safe and I didn't drop it, and a few seconds later my a55 and 2 week old Tokina lens was bouncing off a concrete floor! Fortunately, the camera body was OK (the front of the lens took the brunt of the impact) but the lens hood cracked in two and the Sony Lens protector on the front was shattered (but the lens was protected and scratch free ). I continued shooting for a few hours afterwards (if nothing else, to check things really were working OK) and the main problems was a lot of flare (due to lack of hood / anti-flare filter) and some dust on the sensor which went away with a blower - phew - Auto focus, steady shot and IQ all seem fine (or at least, now worse than before ).

So, apart from sourcing a replacement hood off ebay for the Tokina, I'm seriously thinking about separate accidental damage cover for my equipment. I checked a few months back to see if my house insurance covered it and whilst its seems ok in the home, they were much vaguer as to theft from my car / accidental damage away from the house. I was wondering if any of you UK forum members have any advice on good Amateur Camera Equipment Insurance providers here in the UK, particularly in terms of covering accidental damage or theft from vehicles?

Sort of relieved (althought that filter wasn't exactly cheap either ),
Scott

Check your household policy document carefully. You may well be covered for this sort of thing whether or not you are at home. If you're not, think about changing your insurer. There ay, however, be an excess to bear.

Dedicated equipment policies tend to be expensive.

my household insurance has a section for personal possessions outside the home which I cover my camera etc. under.
It doesn't cover camera gear if you are a professional & mine also covers leaving it in my locked car as long as it's not visible - not all policies will cover it in a car so it's worth checking & if necessary changing insurer.

I have been in the market for gear insurance for some time, after drowning my camera underwater for some time. It seems the insurance companies simply do not cover such extensive list of expensive gears.....unless you pay them a lot which is beyond my capability and so expensive enough to buy a whole new system.

Most household policies (in the UK) can be extended to cover your personal possessions (including your camera gear) away from your home against accidental damage including loss and theft. But READ THE EXCLUSIONS VERY CAREFULLY. Things like damge to glass and derrangement (of gears and the like) are not generally covered by the standard policy.