I came back from a hike in Zion to find my passenger window smashed. Gone were my Sony A7SIII, three G-Master lenses, my MacBook Pro, and a drone. Total value: $14,500. I called my insurance agent, shaking with rage, only to hear: “I’m so sorry, your policy has a Personal Effects cap of $2,000.” I got a check for $1,500 (after the $500 deductible) and had to replace $13,000 of gear out of pocket.
Key Takeaways
- The $2,000 Limit is Standard: Most auto and RV policies have a very low limit for “Personal Effects” (clothes, dishes, bedding).
- Electronics are Often Excluded: Read the fine print. Many policies specifically exclude “electronic data processing equipment” (laptops) or cameras from the base coverage.
- Homeowners/Renters Insurance is Key: If you have a renters or homeowners policy back at a “home base,” it might cover theft from your vehicle, but subject to a deductible.
- You Need a “Personal Articles Floater”: For high-value items (cameras, jewelry, expensive bikes), you must “schedule” them individually.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Unscheduled Personal Property.”
Insurance companies assume a van contains sleeping bags and plastic plates, not a portable film studio. The base premium covers the vehicle, not the cargo.
Furthermore, if you use the camera for business (making YouTube videos or client work), a standard personal policy will deny the claim under the “Business Use” exclusion. You would need a Commercial Inland Marine policy for business gear.
The Investigation (My Analysis of 3 Options)
I looked for the best way to insure $15,000 of tech gear living in a van.
Lemonade (Renters Insurance)
- The Pros: Very easy to use app. You can get a renters policy for your “domicile” address and it covers property “worldwide.”
- The Cons: If you live in the van full-time and don’t actually live at the address on the policy, they can deny the claim. Also, they have limits on electronics ($1,500) unless you buy the “Extra Coverage.”
Progressive (RV Endorsement)
- The Pros: You can bump the Personal Effects limit up. I was able to increase it from $2,000 to $5,000 for a small fee.
- The Cons: $5,000 was the max they offered on the online quote. Still not enough for my camera bag.
State Farm (Personal Articles Policy)
- The Pros: This is the gold standard. You can buy a standalone “Personal Articles Policy” (PAP). I quoted $15,000 of camera gear for about $20/month.
- The Cons: You have to provide serial numbers and receipts for every single item.
- The Win: It has $0 deductible and covers “Mysterious Disappearance” (e.g., you dropped the camera in a river), not just theft.
[IMAGE: Photo of a smashed van window with broken glass on the seat]
Comparison Table
| Feature | Standard RV Policy | Renters Insurance | Personal Articles Floater |
| Coverage Limit | Low ($2k – $5k) | Medium ($10k+) | High (Itemized) |
| Deductible | $500 – $1,000 | $500 – $1,000 | $0 |
| Business Use? | No | No | Sometimes (check specific policy) |
| Accidental Damage? | No (Theft/Fire only) | No | Yes (Drops/Spills) |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Inventory Now: Take your phone, walk through your van, and video record every expensive item. Open drawers. Zoom in on serial numbers. Upload this video to the cloud.
- Get a Personal Articles Policy (PAP): Call State Farm or similar. Ask for a standalone PAP for your cameras and laptop. You do not need your auto insurance with them to get this.
- Check “Business Use”: If you make money with your camera, tell the agent. You might need a “Photographers Package” policy (like from TCP or Hill & Usher) instead of personal insurance.
- Hide Your Gear: Insurance is a backup. Install a bolt-down safe or a hidden compartment. If a thief breaks the window and sees nothing, they move on.
FAQ
Does my auto insurance cover my e-bike on the back rack?
Usually no. Or, it falls under the tiny $2,000 limit. Since e-bikes are $3,000+, you need specific bicycle insurance (like Velosurance) or to schedule it on a PAP.
What if I don’t have receipts?
It’s a nightmare. The adjuster will give you the lowest market value they can find on eBay. Always keep digital copies of receipts. If you bought used, keep the transaction email or a screenshot of the listing.
Does “Full Replacement Cost” apply to cameras?
On a standard policy, usually no—you get Actual Cash Value (depreciated). On a Personal Articles Policy, you usually get the Agreed Value (what you insured it for).