Instrument Insurance Questions

[LilHobbit]

I've recently upgraded instruments (and acquired a 2nd violin) and bows.  As a result, I want to make sure they're insured properly.  Do you go through your homeowner's insurance or do you have separate instrument insurance?  If you have separate insurance for your instruments, who do you go through?  Thanks! 

[PhilipKT]

35 minutes ago, LilHobbit said:

I've recently upgraded instruments (and acquired a 2nd violin) and bows.  As a result, I want to make sure they're insured properly.  Do you go through your homeowner's insurance or do you have separate instrument insurance?  If you have separate insurance for your instruments, who do you go through?  Thanks! 

If you are an amateur, you can get a rider on your homeowners insurance, and it’s very inexpensive.

If you are a professional, and a professional is defined as someone who uses your violin as daily income and your music as the bulk of your annual employment, then you have to get specialty insurance, and there’s Merz & Huber And I can’t remember any of the others, but now that you’ve posted I’m sure others will chime in and I would like to hear their contributions.

[henrypeacham]

Clarion. For musicians by musicians.

If you ever get paid for playing, homeowner insurance companies may often deny your claim because they’re always looking any reason to do so.

[Televet]

If you want to properly protect yourself I would strongly advise against homeowner insurance. Your deductible  would likely kill your claim and the exclusions mean the cover provided is actually pretty minimal. Clarion and Hanover are both excellent companies. I use Anderson Insurance whose policies are underwritten by Hanover (I think). They have been super easy to deal with and their rates are very very good

[Theghostis]

At what instrument/bow value generally do people here feel insurance is important? I know the OP is asking about presumably rather valuable instruments where insurance is likely a very good idea.

[l33tplaya]

I use Anderson as well.  If you buy 3 years you get a discount. And/or if you are a member of ACMP, perhaps a bigger discount: https://acmp.net/join-acmp/member-benefits 

[Televet]

None of my instruments are valuable but their loss would be important to me. Coverage for upto $2500 costs $59.95 . $7500 costs $160.  

The cost is so small for even modest instruments Insurance seems a no brainer to me

[Brumcello]

I would agree that household insurance is inadequate. There will probably be exclusions, for example, theft from a vehicle. I use Allianz who are excellent and will cover all risks.

[Muswell]

6 hours ago, Brumcello said:

I would agree that household insurance is inadequate. There will probably be exclusions, for example, theft from a vehicle. I use Allianz who are excellent and will cover all risks.

I had a very good classical guitar and a lute stolen.  Allianz were very understanding and accepted that neither instrument was replaceable, like for like, and gave me the money very quickly.  The household insurers who covered the other stuff which was stolen were more difficult and I was very glad the instruments were with a specialist.

[nathan slobodkin]

Heritage insurance in Feasterville PA has excellent insurance for shops like mine. Whether they are competitive with insurance for musicians I don't know.