Why it irks me that I have DEPP insurance....

So, I have DAN equipment insurance right now, but I have been wanting to switch to DEPP ever since I made the switch to dSLR - I really like the whole "drop overboard and it's covered" aspect, and I am also a fan of the fact that you can CHOOSE what is insured against flooding. I like having my drysuit insured against theft/loss, for instance, but not so sure that I am too interested in flood insurance for it!

So maybe 2 months ago, I call them. I speak with a woman who lets me know what needs to be done to set my policy up. I do what is asked, fax everything in, and nothing. Days go by. Weeks - more than 2 - go by. An upcoming trip is approaching, and I am starting to panic. I call them and leave messages, about 4 over a period of a week. I hear back NOTHING. I do not receive any phone calls back (as requested), no emails (yes, I do check my junk email), faxes...nada.

I finally - after a month of WAITING - call DAN and update my insurance with them, even though I really wanted to switch to DEPP.

Yesterday, I get home from work, and awaiting me in my mailbox? You guessed it. My insurance policy from DEPP. I immediately call them, explain the situation, and ask to have the flood premium refunded - everything else, I decide to keep for now - at least a few things will be covered if they get dropped. The woman I spoke to (who shall remain nameless) insisted that they had emailed me the policy twice - they certainly had not, as I was anxiously been waiting for it!!

Then the kicker. She tried to tell me that my DAN policy wouldn't cover any floods that occur outside of the US - I believe the exact statement is, your stuff will not be covered for international travel. Unless the DAN insurance website is completely incorrect, THAT is an out-and-out lie. From their website:

Territorial Limits – We will cover property wherever located (worldwide).

Sadly, I still want DEPP insurance....at least now I have a small policy so that I can alter it to add everything I want in the future....

Don't bother with DEPP.
I had it for 2 years and they had no problem charging my credit card to renew my policy. But when I accidentally dropped my camera in the backyard busting the LCD screen (camera still worked fine but crack all the way across the viewing area sucked) I notified them. This was in Nov. They said fill out paperwork and send in, which I did. Well, to make a long story short.......... I never got my payment until around March. They didn't answer phones or e-mails for weeks. Then I got one e-mail saying "oh, paperwork was lost, could you resubmit the whole thing?" So I did it, then no answers again. Then I got the "lady" who said she turned in the paperwork and was told that a check was mailed, nada. So we had to do it all again. Yes, it took until March to get my measely $200 check for repairs. Oh yeah, and the policy was renewed by them in January, charged on my credit card by them........all the while not answering a single e-mail or phone call and "losing" my paperwork. Yeah, right!

We cancelled the policy last year with DEPP and now have a floater policy with out home-owners insurance company. It costs half the price and they will answer my calls.

robin

I've had good experiences with DEPP, which I've carried for several years. I recently had a dive computer go bad on me and they've been responsive and cooperative.

Not to hijack, but someone recommended h2oinsurance.com to me. Does anyone have experience with them?

Thanks!

paradicio:

Not to hijack, but someone recommended h2oinsurance.com to me. Does anyone have experience with them?

Thanks!

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That's DAN's insurance - it's actually run by another company.

drbill:

I've had good experiences with DEPP, which I've carried for several years. I recently had a dive computer go bad on me and they've been responsive and cooperative.

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That's because they don't want to mess with Dr. Bill!!

I really need to get something like this...I've flooded 2 different cameras and housings over the last couple years. I've always just bought new ones. It's always quite painful!!

I would just stay with DAN if you can't get a separate ins policy. Our is with USAA and they had no problem covering all photo/video gear, even for flood.

I really think DEPP is a scam company. They give some people no problems and pay off claims, others have nothing BUT problems. I have heard some people say that DEPP canceled their policy after a flood, too. So what's the point? Their website gives the whole Song and Dance - "its not of matter of if, its a matter of when". Yeah, and when it happens they pay and cancel you. My claim wasn't even that big and they treated me like crap. Lies, lies, and more lies. I was very forgiving after the first round of excuses.... after that I was angry, especially when they went ahead and renewed my policy without settling the whole claim first. I never would have renewed if I had known and it would have been an even break $$$$.

Sorry for the rant.

robint:

I would just stay with DAN if you can't get a separate ins policy. Our is with USAA and they had no problem covering all photo/video gear, even for flood.

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Hmmm... I have my auto with USAA and they are great. Maybe I ought to contact them about this.

Well, I was told that I could GET insurance through my homeowners policy, but that if there was a claim (read: when!), the premium would likely increase so much that it would be outrageous. That may be the only time someone at my insurance company ever told me not to buy something!! I guess it might be different if it were just gear, but with my behemoth camera (that I bought used - still ridiculous!!!), it is just a matter of time until I have a claim...I don't want to set myself up for this sort of scenario.

I have a friend who has made 2 claims with DEPP with no hassles, though it took a while each time. I hadn't heard about them not paying out claims before, Robin! I don't mind the rant - my first post is just a rant!