Security for photo equipment in a car

[Luc Hosten]

Chatted to my insurance broker yesterday and was disturbed to hear that the wording in insurance documents is very open to interpretation and that the interpretation suits the firm. It comes down to me having to make an overt attempt to prevent the loss of stuff through break ins. So if someone stole my long lens in its case from a cupboard in the car I would not get compensation (I thought I would be compensated in this scenario). If I chained the case to something in the car I might be ok and am also thinking of bolting an metal box to the floor. I don't like the box on the floor as I plan to sleep in the Combi and the idea of the chain just irritates me (too much trouble to unlock everything for what is a lousy picture anyway and so don't take the picture). I am going travelling to the West Coast shortly and wonder what you guys do to prevent theft from cars?

[ConeAnt]

my clubcab has lockable boxes that are secured to the vehicle, wonder if that is even enough for an insurance company!

[HansieMyburgh]

Will a "Beware of snakes" sticker not be good enough.... LOL!!!!

[elsahoffmann]

I have an army trunk secured in my boot. My ins compnay okey'd it.

[Luc Hosten]

Thanks - will have to bolt a metal case to the floor and will disguise it with a frilly table cloth in order to pretend it is a table. What irritates me is that I thought that the lens in the cupboard was secure enough. Wish the lens case was smaller though.

[Irene McCullagh]

Thanks - will have to bold a metal case to the floor and will disguise it with a frilly table cloth in order to pretend it is a table. What irritates me is that I thought that the lens in the cupboard was secure enough. Wish the lens case was smaller though.

What kind of car do you drive that has cupboards in it?

[Luc Hosten]

VW Syncro with back seats removed and bed/cupboards (badly) installed.

[a2i Photo]

After a recent attempt to break into my double cab, I got myself one of these.

[MadWab]

i'm with outsurance and was told that as long as it was not lying in the open for people to see it was covered - my stuff is always kept in the boot.

[Luc Hosten]

I do not trust wording in contracts (or legislation) but in any case the Synchro does not have a boot. Go look to see if the words "reasonable care" or other legally cliched synonyms occur and worry. I thought in a cupboard was ok and it is not and my insurer does not have a bad reputation as the one you mention.

[MadWab]

mmmmmmm interesting. will give them a call tomorrow and see what they say.

[Jarret]

I found this article helpful:

http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/1791

The following website in USA sells some handy gear - http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php...activity_id=10

The best advise is that the gear is not visible and secondly that nobody knows that you keep it in the vehicle. I know some sports photogs will unload their gear in one parking lot and have it all ready to go, then drive to the venue.

PacSafe have some handy gear for traveler's too.

[jayza]

It won't help to chain it - it has to be bolted to the floor and have a lock.
I had a thick heavy duty black plastic box with a lid that we drilled 2 holes through and padlocked and also chained and locked them with padlocks to the roll bars in the canopy of a DC. Insurance company was not happy.

[Luc Hosten]

Thanks jayza - interesting that the chain is insufficient as I want to avoid an obstacle in the middle of the floor. Have been staring at the metal case that now needs holes drilled into it in order to bolt it down onto the floor.

[jayza]

Yes, I'm waiting for quotes to have one made.
I saw an aluminium box on a website - my problem is they don't have agents in Natal and it costs R2500 ( 950mm x 450mm x 450mm wth a built in lock) . Also a permanent fixture.