Camera gear stolen in Italy - any advice for getting it back?

Alan Edward Klein · Jan 23, 2025

Daniela said:
Public transportation also makes me lose faith in humanity

The worse part of the train trip from London to Paris was that they were constructing the path to the cabs in Paris. My wife and I had to drag our luggage over broken-up sidewalks with lumps and bumps to get to the taxis. I still hear about that from her since she wanted to fly.

koraks · Jan 24, 2025

Alan Edward Klein said:
Who and what are SNCF Controllers?

SNCF = French railway operator.

Steve Goldstein · Jan 25, 2025

Société nationale des chemins de fer français

Alan Edward Klein · Jan 26, 2025

Steve Goldstein said:
Société nationale des chemins de fer français

I was wondering what the initials stood for. Not that I can pronounce it. Thanks.

Ian Grant · Jan 26, 2025

Alan Edward Klein said:
The worse part of the train trip from London to Paris was that they were constructing the path to the cabs in Paris. My wife and I had to drag our luggage over broken-up sidewalks with lumps and bumps to get to the taxis. I still hear about that from her since she wanted to fly.

I've just had that at airports, UK and Spain, re-construction, modifications are done in the Winter. So construction sites.

But in terms of the OP's losses, they would be covered by travel insurance, something I rarely take out. However, you would probably have to declare what you were taking if more than a typical family camera.

I had cameras stolen in the early 1980s and the Insurance company refused to pay out, however when told/realised that the whole families annual premiums (same broker) for cars, house and business, etc, was actually more than the claim, they made an ex gracia payment in full.

Ian

Sirius Glass · Jan 26, 2025

It is better if you get replacement value insurance if you can.

GregY · Jan 26, 2025

Sirius Glass said:
It is better if you get replacement value insurance if you can.

definitely better than normal homeowner insurance.

Ian Grant · Jan 26, 2025

Sirius Glass said:
It is better if you get replacement value insurance if you can.

My6 sister has had to claim numerous times, she went from a decent Pentax ME Super, to a complete piece of plastic Pentax junk, which has no value today. That was replacement value.
However, I have NO sympathy, she bought a Kowa Se off me in 1973, she dropped it in Toronto and then told my father it was faulty, & he made me give her the money back. She bought a lovely Yashica GTN, she dropped that at Singapore airport. The replacement ME Super lasted a bit longer, I remember buying her a camera when she lost that.

But the last film camera a so called replacement a Pentax MZ is just awful, Even cheap Digital cameras are better quality.

So think carefully about Insurance, it is a bit of a minefield, and if they can they won't pay out.

Ian

GregY · Jan 26, 2025

Ian Grant said:
My6 sister has had to claim numerous times, she went from a decent Pentax ME Super, to a complete piece of plastic Pentax junk, which has no value today. That was replacement value.
However, I have NO sympathy, she bought a Kowa Se off me in 1973, she dropped it in Toronto and then told my father it was faulty, & he made me give her the money back. She bought a lovely Yashica GTN, she dropped that at Singapore airport. The replacement ME Super lasted a bit longer, I remember buying her a camera when she lost that.

But the last film camera a so called replacement a Pentax MZ is just awful, Even cheap Digital cameras are better quality.

So think carefully about Insurance, it is a bit of a minefield, and if they can they won't pay out.

Ian

A colleague & friend of mine somehow left his M4-2 / v4 Summicron 35mm on a bus. His insurance "replacement value" replaced it with a brand new Leica MP & 35mm Summicron Asph. ......quite a step up IMO......

Alan Edward Klein · Jan 27, 2025

GregY said:
definitely better than normal homeowner insurance.

Forty years ago I had two small claims within a year against my apartment insurance when thieves broke into the trunk of my car parked on the street. Each was only for a few hundred dollars. After the second one, the company blackballed me and I couldn't get apartment (home) insurance for three years from any insurance company in the US. Don't know if they still do things like that but I;d get separate camera insurance rider for specific equipment listed rather than using general home insurance.

Camera gear stolen in Italy - any advice for getting it back?

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