Well it probably isn’t the exception, because everyone I have had seems to do it differently.
Agents are good to have and can be helpful, but when it comes to a claim it is what the policy said not what the agent told you. To get my rider on my current policy I spent a few days sending emails back and forth to mine asking for clarifications on how the policy read in regard to the adder for the camera equipment.
But; in regard to your present company, and my experience with them I was not satisfied. If you are questioning their practices now, how will they handle your claim if all your camera gear gets stolen?