Insuring my camping kit?

[chris-s]

Whats the best way to insure the camping equipment for my short trip in France? All this light-weight stuff is getting expensive. Does it get covered under home insurance or travel insurance as 'baggage/luggage/personal possessions' ?

Chris

 

[andym]

Probably a bit of both, but I suspect general travel insurance polucies have a limit for lost/stolen baggage which probably won't be enough. Good househild contents insurance with the option of extended cover for stuff while you're away (eg M&S or Tesco Finest).

 

[slowmotion]

The British Mountaineering Council used to do competitive travel insurance. I have no idea what they are like now, but here is a link...

http://www.thebmc.co.uk/modules/insurance/Landing.aspx

 

[Brommyboy]

Try to insure this specifically under your household contents policy, for all risks. That is the least expensive way. Holiday insurance only covers belongings while in car boot, hotel, etc, so is no good.

 

[tbtb]

Household insurance is the way - it would cost me £150 though (for the M&S one), and I wouldn't need it otherwise, being a renter (no carpets, washing machines etc to replace after fire or flood).

I've yet to find travel insurance that's good for cycle touring theft risks. I'd love to hear of anyone who's found one (and has read the small print!).

 

[evilclive]

Household insurance is the way - it would cost me £150 though (for the M&S one), and I wouldn't need it otherwise, being a renter (no carpets, washing machines etc to replace after fire or flood).

I've yet to find travel insurance that's good for cycle touring theft risks. I'd love to hear of anyone who's found one (and has read the small print!).

Household insurance also does your bike cover. And no stereo, TV, computer, CD/DVD collection etc?

 

[tbtb]

Household insurance also does your bike cover. And no stereo, TV, computer, CD/DVD collection etc?

Yes, I realise this about the bike but at £150, it's not a no-brainer, not given my relative risks and costs etc - may be ideal for the OP.

Re possessions, I do have the items you list but a beautiful 2005 28" Trinitron tv costs £20 these days, the laptop is £150, or £300 new, a quality amp and speakers on ebay is £100. Like everyone, most of my items' worth is in what I paid for them rather than future utility (dreadful old Oasis cds, Titanic dvds, breadmakers etc). I'd have contents insurance in a minute if I lived in a higher risk location or owned my house cos I'd want carpets, curtains and something to sit on, cook on etc.

 

[andym]

Hmm apart from anything else, if you set fire to/accidentally damage your landlord's furniture who's going to pay?

But yes you could find stamdalone insurance - eg BMC, or you could 'self-insure' (nice way of saying that if it all gpes pear-shaped you grin and bear it),

 

[tbtb]

Hmm apart from anything else, if you set fire to/accidentally damage your landlord's furniture who's going to pay?

The insurance sellers would like me to worry about that, it's true. But I'm not clumsy or spending my days handling pots of ink over white carpets etc. I've been renting for 20 years and never had an issue. I suppose I could have spent £2k in this time on insurance had I been less of a daredevil. To be fair, such insurance would be more worthwhile - but cost more - if I lived in Mayfair glitz. Replacing any one piece of my humble flat's sorry-looking furniture on a like-for-like basis would not trouble my overdraft.

 

[subaqua]

camping and caravanning club do insurance.

 

[Fiona N]

Hmm apart from anything else, if you set fire to/accidentally damage your landlord's furniture who's going to pay?

Besides it's often completely useless - I rented out my house through an agency which insisted that tenants had insuranec for just such an eventuality. However, when the guys left without notice owing rent, there wasn't any way I was going to be able to claim on their insurance for the damage they did.

 

[andym]

And if a tenant came to you and said 'whoops we've [insert suitable expensive accident] can you claim for it on your insurance?' ?

If I were a tenant I'd get insurance. £150 to insure a bike, camping gear etc etc sounds like a good deal to me and if anyone can come up with a better price that doesn't involve household contemts insurance please let me know. Seriously - I've let my flat to go touring so i can't get household contents insurance 'cos I don't have a household