Dropped camera - have insurance

sandpiper6 · 12-20-2006, 03:14 PM

but agent closed early today. GRRR. My 15 year old messed with stuff she was not supposed to mess with on the shelf with our cameras. When I put back the item she took, my K100D slid right off the shelf. I didn't even touch the camera. She had moved it such that it was easily knocked. I am angry right now, because I know it is messed up. I do not know to what extent fully, but it looks bad. The display near the shutter button is cracked on the inside with black splatter that looks like ink. The letters TV are the only things that show up on the display now. The lens on the camera at the time was the 18-55 kit lens. Pressing the shutter button still gets the lens to focus, etc. When the camera fell, it landed on the desk, then the foot stool, then the floor. Even the flash popped open. I've had this camera less than 30 days because I traded my DL for it.

What do I do now? Do I file insurance for repairs and/or replacement? The way it bounced, I would be scared to trust it now. That black splatter - what could it be? How do I file insurance requesting replacement? I have business liability/equipment insurance. In October, Joe dropped our Sigma EF-500 DGST flash in a pond while taking portraits. We decided not to file that with insurance. We've got to replace the flash out-of-pocket as it is now. I can't afford to replace the camera out-of-pocket. But, it is necessary to our business. Yes, I'm glad it wasn't Joe's ist-D, but I am still upset that it was mine. I've got to hunt down our insurance papers to see if there is a deductible that will ruin my life right now.

Any advice about handling insurance and/or repair/replacement requests are much appreciated. Consolations *might* be helpful to me later, too. Right now, it's breathing I have to focus on. Any knowledge about the black splatter??? I'll try to take a pic of it with the *ist-D to share on here.

Local camera store warranty and Pentax warranty would not cover a dropped camera would they???

Thanks,
Faith

clarenceclose · 12-20-2006, 03:46 PM

I suspect the black splatter is the LCD gone gunnybag.

Call your agent and see if it is covered. Some policies have extended riders for 'professional' camera equipment which yours would be considered seeing as you use if for buiness, some have deductibles per incident and it may be different for specialty insurance.

Ritz camera ESP covers it all, even if you run over it with your car. The only thing is, if it falls over a cliff, you need to go get it for without the broken unit, you get nothing. Did you get an ESP?

Sorry to hear about this. Our broken electonic baby hurts, especially such a new one. Let us know how things work out.

Tom Lusk · 12-20-2006, 03:57 PM

I don't believe that either Pentax or a camera store will cover a dropped camera. All normal manufacturer warranties that I'm aware of don't cover accidental breakage...

You may find that your insurance company might not be of much help, either, as some require such equipment to be covered by a rider and/or the deductible may be more than the repair cost...

Now - I've been wrong before (more than once!

) Go and prove me wrong again, please!

These are worse case scenarios. Consider any better outcome a bonus!

sandpiper6 · 12-20-2006, 04:12 PM

Here's a picture of the splatter. It is a crop of a picture. I didn't feel like getting out the macro lens to get a close-up of this right now.

I guess I will try to call my agent tomorrow in between the funeral and the orthopedist appointment. What a life. Should I try to contact the camera store owner? No, I did not buy ESP. It is still within the first 30 days of the purchase/trade-in - does that matter?

Tom - our insurance is Business specific liability and equipment coverage. We started out with just liability, but added equipment this past March. I've just never had to even file a homeowner claim before, so inexperienced with insurance claims.

Faith

joele · 12-20-2006, 05:16 PM

thats a cracked lcd for sure..

I would get a quote on the repairs before thinking about an insurance claim.. It may not be worth the claim?

clarenceclose · 12-20-2006, 05:32 PM

Joele gives good advice. I doubt it that the camera store would take care of breakage BUT if you are a good customer they may be able to work something out. At the very least they should be able to give you the estimate you will need to take it to your insurance. Also check your deductible. Sometimes the deductible is more than the repairs or if close, not worth submitting. I feel for you.

Photo Tramp · 12-20-2006, 07:15 PM

God Faith,
that is one ugly booboo. I am pained to see this happen and I fear this same thing could happen to my DL. I wish you the best of luck in getting it fixed or replaced and if there is anything any of us can do please feel free to ask. I'm sure all here would be willing to help at anytime.

Good shooting.
Cheers: David

Cameron · 01-17-2007, 09:05 PM

Those cracked LCD's are an expensive fix, my ipod bromke like that and the repairs place told me it would be upwards of two hundred for a new one
I thought it was ridiculous
now i listen to whatever happens to come on
and i don't ask questions

sandpiper6 · 01-17-2007, 09:23 PM

I got a quote of $250. The worst part of the quote is not the price but the TIME. TIME is money. They quoted EIGHT TO TWELVE WEEKS!

Evidently it has to be sent directly to Pentax to fix it. Does anybody have any better recommendations on where to take it? I saw a list of authorized Pentax repair places and wrote the number down for the one in Duluth, GA. I can't get an answer at that number though.

This is our "second" camera and I am Joe's "second-shooter", so for some things I could probably go back to just being the "assistant" until it comes back, but...

Faith

clarenceclose · 01-17-2007, 09:43 PM

Don't know about your insurance, if any, but where I purchased mine with the extended service plan, they will give me a loaner while mine is in the shop. Wouldn't hurt to ask.