Re: [Leica] Leica prices

["Bryan Caldwell" <bcaldwell@softcom.net>]

Carl,

It's true that a homeowner's policy won't cover adjustments, but - if you're
not a professional - you can usually add an "all risk" rider to an existing
homeowner's policy that will cover every bit of damage that Passport
coverage does and includes coverage in several areas where Passport doesn't.

Remember that Passport doesn't cover theft - probably the single biggest
area of camera loss - or fire, or a situation in which the remains of the
camera or lens can't be recovered (dropping into the ocean, for instance),
or where the item's serial number is rendered illegible.

If you depend on Passport coverage alone and your equipment gets stolen,
you're out of luck. Same thing if you're unlucky enough to have a fire. Why
do you think these are excluded from Passport coverage? Because they're the
most likely types of loss to occur. It doesn't take much in Leica equipment
to exceed the normal camera limits on most homeowner's policies. I think my
policy's normal limit is $600 on camera equipment - not even enough to cover
one Leica body or lens. If you have an all-risk rider, you're covered - you
just have to pay for service and adjustments unless they're needed because
the camera was damaged, in which case they're covered under the rider.

If you make your living from photography, the home owner's option is
probably not available to you. The limits and deductibles are prohibitive -
but you have the option of business insurance (I think - I'm not an
insurance agent).

I have four Leica M bodies, six M lenses, one Contax, one Rolleiflex, and
some miscellaneous photo gear all covered under an all-risk rider on my
homeowners - with no deductible - for less than $150 per year. I've never
taken the time to figure it out, but by buying mint condition used
equipment, I probably saved enough to pay that insurance bill for years and
years.

I worry much more about my equipment being stolen than any other type of
loss. For that reason alone I wouldn't be happy with just Passport. BTW, my
rider really is "all-risk," it paid when my greyhound decided to chew on my
Contax T2.


Bryan

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "csocolow" <csocolow@microserve.net>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 1999 6:04 PM
Subject: Re: [Leica] Leica prices


> Bryan Caldwell wrote:
> >
> > >> Am I missing something here?
> > Is passport worth the $200 or so?<<
> >
> > Not if you already have homeowner's or other insurance that will cover
your
> > camera. Check with your agent. Coverage of this type will insure for
theft
> > and fire - not covered by Passport.
> >
> > Bryan
> >
>
> Bryan,
>
> One of the nice things about Passport is that if the camera needs any
> warranty work during its validation Leica will do it at no charge. My M6
> needed the rangefinder vertical alignment adjusted before I went to
> France in September. Also, I wanted the meter checked since this was an
> important trip. And, of course, I had the broken frame counter replaced.
> Leica service did the adjustment and had the camera turned around in
> under one week.
>
> This doesn't even include Passport's provision for replacement of a
> destroyed camera (or lens) if you can provide Leica with the
> identifiable remains.
>
> --
> Carl Socolow
>
> http://members.tripod.com/SocPhoto/
>