I was shooting a model in the surf. I misjudged a rogue wave. My R5 and 24-70mm got splashed. It wasn’t submerged, just soaked. I pulled the battery instantly, but within 2 hours, the top LCD fogged up and green corrosion appeared on the hot shoe. I filed a claim. The adjuster paused when I said “Ocean.”
Key Takeaways
- Salt Water is Fatal: Insurers know salt water is a total loss. Corrosion “grows.” A repair might work for a week, then fail.
- “Corrosion” Exclusion: Many policies exclude damage caused by “Rust, Corrosion, or Dampness of Atmosphere.” You must frame the claim as “Accidental Water Damage” (The Wave), not “Corrosion” (The Result).
- Time is the Enemy: You must report this immediately. If you wait a week and say “it stopped working,” they will deny it as “Gradual Deterioration.”
- The “Clean Water” Clause: Some basic policies cover rain but exclude “Flood” or “Surface Water” (waves). You need an “Inland Marine” policy that covers “All Risk.”
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Gradual Deterioration.”
If you say “The camera has been acting up since the beach trip,” they hear “Corrosion over time.” Denied.
You must say “On [Date], at [Time], a wave struck the camera. This is a specific accidental event.”
Also, attempting to repair salt damage is usually a waste of money. Manufacturers will mark it “Beyond Economic Repair” (BER) immediately upon seeing salt residue.
The Investigation (My Analysis of Coverage)
I analyzed how insurers treat “The Salty Death.”
Front Row Insurance
- The Stance: They cover accidental water damage.
- The Requirement: They want a tech report confirming “Liquid Ingress.”
Athos Insurance
- The Stance: Strong on production risks. They understand location shooting.
- The Outcome: Likely a total loss payout (Replacement Cost) minus deductible.
PPA
- The Risk: If you were negligent (standing in the water vs near the water), they might fight it, but usually pay for “Accidental.”
[IMAGE: Macro photo of a battery compartment with green/white corrosion on the contacts]
Comparison Table
| Scenario | Insurance Result | Manufacturer Warranty |
| Dropped in Ocean | Covered (Accidental) | Void (Liquid Damage) |
| Splashed by Wave | Covered (Accidental) | Void |
| Humidity/Fog Damage | Denied (Atmosphere) | Void |
| Rain Damage | Covered | Void |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Battery Out Immediately: Cut the power. Electricity accelerates corrosion.
- Rinse with Fresh Water: It sounds crazy, but if it was salt water, rinse it with distilled water to stop the salt eating the circuits. (Only if it’s already dead).
- Get a “BER” Letter: Send it to a repair shop. Ask for a letter stating “Beyond Economic Repair due to Salt Water Ingress.”
- File Claim as “Accidental Water Damage”: Do not use the word “Corrosion” in your initial description. Use “Water Impact.”
FAQ
Does rice work?
No. Rice creates dust and doesn’t remove salt. Salt is conductive. The camera is dead.
Can I keep the dead camera?
Usually, the insurance company wants the “Salvage.” They take the broken camera. If you want to keep it for parts, they deduct the salvage value from your check.
Is my SD card covered?
The card hardware? Yes. The data? See the “Data Loss” article.