I walked back to my rental SUV in the Mission District and saw the glitter of tempered glass on the sidewalk before I even saw the car. My stomach dropped. The rear window was shattered, and the Pelican case—chained to the seat frame—was gone. They had cut the steel cable. I lost two bodies, three G-Master lenses, and a MacBook Pro. I stood there waiting for the police (who never came) and realized my standard business policy had a massive loophole regarding “unattended vehicles.”
Key Takeaways
- The “Locked Vehicle” Warranty: Most commercial policies require visible signs of forced entry and that the vehicle was fully locked. If you forgot to lock the doors, even if they smashed the window, the claim can be denied.
- The Trunk Clause: Some policies (like lower-tier PPA levels) only cover gear if it was in a locked trunk or out of sight. SUVs are a gray area; you need a cargo cover to prove it was “out of sight.”
- Police Reports are Digital: In 2026, San Francisco PD won’t come to a property crime scene. You must file online to get the case number required by insurance.
- Depreciation hits Laptops: While your lenses might hold value, your laptop will be depreciated heavily unless you have “Replacement Cost” coverage.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is the “Unattended Vehicle Exclusion.”
Insurers know photographers leave gear in cars. It is the #1 source of theft claims.
To mitigate this, many policies have a clause stating coverage is void if the vehicle is left unattended unless specific security measures were taken (alarm on, locked, gear hidden).
The nasty part? Some policies have a “Sunset to Sunrise” exclusion where theft from a vehicle is never covered at night, regardless of locks. You need to check your policy for time-based restrictions.
The Investigation (My Analysis of 3 Carriers)
I compared how the big players handle the “San Francisco Special.”
PPA (PhotoCare)
- The Verdict: Good for hobbyists, risky for pros with heavy losses.
- The Clause: PhotoCare (included with membership) has a flat deductible (often $50 for repair, but higher for theft). However, they have a cap per loss (e.g., $15,000 flat). If you lost $30k of gear, you are out $15k.
- The “Out of Sight” Rule: They are strict. If the gear was on the back seat visible, claim denied.
Hill & Usher (Package Choice)
- The Verdict: The Heavyweight.
- The Clause: They offer “Theft from an Unlocked Vehicle” coverage (rare, usually a sub-limit). But for a smash and grab, they pay “Replacement Cost.”
- The Experience: They cover the broken window too, unlike PPA.
TCP (Tom C. Pickard)
- The Verdict: Very pro-centric.
- The Clause: They usually require a police report within 24 hours. They are aggressive on “Replacement Cost” and will pay for the new version of the lens you lost, not the used value.
[IMAGE: Photo of a shattered SUV rear window with glass shards on the back seat and a cut steel cable lock]
Comparison Table
| Feature | PPA (PhotoCare) | Hill & Usher | TCP |
| Max Payout (Theft) | Capped ($15k usually) | Policy Limit (e.g., $100k) | Policy Limit |
| Vehicle Requirement | Strict “Out of Sight” | Locked + Forced Entry | Locked + Forced Entry |
| Deductible | Low ( 50−50− 500) | Moderate ( 500−500− 1k) | Moderate ($500) |
| Laptop Coverage | Depreciated | Replacement Cost | Replacement Cost |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- File Police Report Online: Do not wait. Go to the SFPD (or local) website. File for “Burglary from Vehicle.” Save the PDF.
- Photos of the Scene: Photograph the broken glass, the cut cable, and the empty space where the gear was. Prove forced entry.
- List the Serial Numbers: Find your spreadsheet. If you don’t have serial numbers, find the purchase receipts. You need proof of ownership.
- Call the Broker: Report the theft immediately. Ask specifically about “Rental Gear Reimbursement” so you can shoot your gig tomorrow.
FAQ
Does my auto insurance cover the gear?
No. Auto insurance covers the car (window). It does not cover business property inside the car.
What if I didn’t hide the gear?
If your policy has an “Out of Sight” clause and you left a Red Camera on the seat, you are likely denied.
Will my rates go up?
Yes. A $15k theft claim will likely raise your premiums by 20-30% for 3 years, or cause a non-renewal.