US bound

I leave for the US in a few days, I have some meetings in Seattle. Then I am going to take a few days after and visit my Mother. It means being away from my wife and daughter a little longer than I had wanted but Alou, my wife, actually suggested it. Hmm, what does that say 🙂

I have been fighting with photography associations and insurance companies in preparation for this trip. Let me tell you camera insurance is not cheap nor easy to come by.

Here is what I have found. The best deals are for residence in the US. But most of these will not cover me as I am not a current resident. The PPA (Professional Photographers of America) said they would cover me as long as I had a US address (which I do) but, I could only make the claim from inside the US! So I am here in India, my camera gets stolen and I then have to spend $1,000 to return to the US to get the money. Okay.

The average price is something like $24 per $1,000 of coverage, with a $250 deductible. The PPA is a little better, they have a low $100 deductible.

The one catch with the PPA coverage is they ask on one line in their application, “What is your address in the US?” Not an issue. But, then on the next line, “Where do you store you equipment?” India? At home? Pray they go for it.

I hope to contact a couple of Photographer friends in the area. One, in Vancouver, David duChemin. Just got word he has gotten a sweet gig with World Vision. They are paying him to travel Africa and shoot for their Christmas catalog. Congrates David!! Well done. Remember us when you are famous.