I was tethering my MacBook Pro on a commercial set in a warehouse. I walked away to adjust a light. When I came back, the laptop was gone. My insurance denied the claim because I didn’t have “Electronic Data Processing” (EDP) coverage, and the laptop was considered “Office Equipment” not “Camera Gear.”
Key Takeaways
- Categorization Matters: Some insurers separate “Camera Equipment” from “Computer/Office Equipment.” If you listed the MacBook under “Cameras,” they might deny it or apply a lower limit.
- EDP Coverage: You want Electronic Data Processing coverage. This specifically covers computers, hard drives, and portable electronics used for business.
- “Unattended” on Set: If the set was “open to the public” and you left it unlocked, the “Unattended” exclusion kicks in.
- ACV vs. RC: Laptops depreciate fast. A 3-year-old MacBook is worth 40% of new. You need Replacement Cost (RC) to afford a new one.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “The Schedule.”
When you buy insurance, you submit a list of gear.
If you wrote “Misc Gear: $20,000,” they might limit computers to $2,000.
If you didn’t list the laptop serial number specifically, they might assume it’s a personal laptop (Homeowners issue) rather than business gear.
Also, the “Mysterious Disappearance” trap applies here if no one saw it taken.
The Investigation (My Analysis of Computer Coverage)
I checked how to insure a $4,000 tethering station.
TCP (Tom C. Pickard)
- The Advice: List computers separately.
- The Coverage: Worldwide coverage for laptops (EDP). Includes power surges.
Next Insurance (App Based)
- The Limit: Often has a low sub-limit for electronics ($2,500) unless you bump it up manually.
- The ACV Trap: Digital-first insurers often default to Actual Cash Value. Check the fine print.
AppleCare+ (The Alternative)
- The Reality: AppleCare+ covers damage, but not theft (unless you have the specific Theft/Loss plan for iPhones, which doesn’t exist for MacBooks usually). You need business insurance for theft.
[IMAGE: Photo of a tether cable dangling from a tripod with no laptop attached]
Comparison Table
| Feature | Camera Rider | EDP (Computer) Rider | AppleCare+ |
| Covers Laptop Theft? | Maybe (if listed) | Yes | No |
| Covers Drop/Screen? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Depreciation | Varies | Replacement Cost (Best) | Repair/Replace |
| Software Coverage | No | Data Recovery (Maybe) | No |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Lock it Down: Use a Kensington lock on set. Or put it in a Digiplate that clamps it in.
- Install “Find My”: Enable activation lock. It makes the laptop useless to thieves (deterrent).
- Update the Schedule: Email your broker: “Please add Apple MacBook Pro [Serial] Value $4,000 to my EDP schedule.”
- Encrypt the Drive: FileVault. If client photos leak, that’s a liability/privacy breach lawsuit.
FAQ
Is my iPad covered?
Yes, under EDP/Computers.
What if I use it for personal stuff too?
If it’s primarily business, business insurance covers it.
Is the tether cable covered?
Yes, usually under “Misc Grip/Cables.”