Sometimes batteries will have some sort of guarantee about exploding and ruining your electronics. Might be worth checking out.

Yeah, planning on looking into that, and also calling my insurance agent to see if there is any coverage there. I bought the thing when it was brand new and it was almost $700 at the time... so a small deductible might be worth it. I have a specific amended plan under my home insurance policy for my photography gear as I use it for a side photo business. I have some gear I use for my personal shots and walk-around photography (D80/SB600 and some cheaper lenses) that isn't really covered except under my "general" home policy, then I have another set of gear that I really only use for pro/paid gigs and that is the stuff that is all covered under my extended plan just for those specific items. All my pro-grade glass from Nikkor/Sigma, my SB900, my D700/300, etc. But I'm definitely looking at the battery company (Duracell) and I saved the batteries that exploded if they are needed.

I think I'll be able to get a check out of my insurance company fairly easily, but I've never had to make a claim under it yet so we'll see.

The constant rain and overcast weather in Vancouver doesn't make for super interesting shots.

I hear that. I live in Minnesota, so same for me. My walk-around personal stuff has been innactive since last summer. Only thing I've been doing photography-wise is concert gigs, which I don't mind, but I like outdoor stuff and walking around and shooting weddings, and all that stuff is limited to a window of only a few months here.