Musical Instrument Insurance

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

developer

MB Enthusiast
SUPPORTER
Joined
Dec 28, 2007
Messages
8,228
Car
Volvo V90 D5 AWD
I'd like to insure some musical instruments (predominantly two guitars) on a bespoke policy, including cover when away from the house (for example in the car or at a gig).

Any company recommendations, or do you think the "standard" house contents policies with appropriate cover limits will be suitable?

Thanks
 
I have several items itemised on house insurance with agreed values and appropriate increase in annual premium. It includes accidental and away from home for up to 45 days at a time abroad. It is quite inexpensive actually.
 
Like giantvanman says get agreed values with your household insurance, or join the Musicians' Union.

Members are insured for legal liability of £10m, to cover injury to members of the public or damage to property. You also get instrument and equipment insurance up to £2,000, Personal Accident cover and tax investigation cover. NEW: Members have access to Professional Indemnity Insurance Scheme from just £50 a year (plus £5 admin fee). For more information and to buy the cover click here.
 
Main hazard appears to be being stolen at gigs as things can get a bit chaotic at times. Another one is taking them on aircraft flights in the hold. I certainly know of 2 people who have had Taylors trashed on transatlantic flights despite being in flight cases. I think they must run over them with tow tractors or summat.
 
We went to a busy open mic last week and a girl split cola over her boyfriend's Gibson :crazy:.

None inside (he thinks) but it got me thinking.

I'm a bit precious with our guitars, so that's unlikely, but I know another guy whose guitar suffered a snapped fretboard recently, so it seems like I should get it sorted, just in case (no pun intended).
 
Main hazard appears to be being stolen at gigs as things can get a bit chaotic at times. Another one is taking them on aircraft flights in the hold. I certainly know of 2 people who have had Taylors trashed on transatlantic flights despite being in flight cases. I think they must run over them with tow tractors or summat.

Do you mean this one by any chance?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo
 
I have several items itemised on house insurance with agreed values and appropriate increase in annual premium. It includes accidental and away from home for up to 45 days at a time abroad. It is quite inexpensive actually.

Insuring specialist musical instruments via one's household insurance is generally not recommended because they are a) generally slow in responding to claims (particularly if one has a preference of the repairs to be done by a particular specialist in the music trade), b) have some (high?) deductible, and c) will impact one's premiums at the following renewal following a successful claim.

For this reason, musical instrument makers generally recommend a specialist musical instrument policy, something like the Allianz Musical Insurance (who took over the British Reserve musical insurance a while back). These policies provides good coverage, and are priced quite reasonably (circa 1% to 2% of the value of the instruments per annum). More importantly, they really understand that when an instrument is damaged, the owner just wants it repaired as quickly as possible, and failing that, to get it replaced with an 'equivalent' instrument as quickly as possible - a process that is not an exact science but based very much on personal tastes as no two instruments have exactly the same characteristics.

In my experience, they are really quick (same day) to authorise repairs at my choice of repairer. They also settled in full with the repairer and did not bump up my premium up follow a claim.
 
Main hazard appears to be being stolen at gigs as things can get a bit chaotic at times. Another one is taking them on aircraft flights in the hold. I certainly know of 2 people who have had Taylors trashed on transatlantic flights despite being in flight cases. I think they must run over them with tow tractors or summat.
This is correct. If you MUST go in the hold make sure the instrument can't move inside the case, slacken the strings off too. Most Airlines will let you take instruments in the cabin if you let them know beforehand.
 
This is correct. If you MUST go in the hold make sure the instrument can't move inside the case, slacken the strings off too. Most Airlines will let you take instruments in the cabin if you let them know beforehand.

A friend of ours who owns a tailor made cello always buys an extra seat on the plane for her cello. This is often cheap enough on the likes of the budget airlines, but surprisingly, getting her cello onboard the plane is always tricky at the gate and nearly always involves getting the supervisor involved before they will let her and her cello onto the plane!
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom