Guitar Insurance

[highvibrational]

Hello all,
I have a few guitars that I'd like to get fire and theft coverage for. Does anyone have any recommendations on who to go to?

Many thanks,
PB

[Rev Roy]

Originally Posted by highvibrational

Hello all,
I have a few guitars that I'd like to get fire and theft coverage for. Does anyone have any recommendations on who to go to?

Many thanks,
PB

A lot of us have Heritage Insurance. Gets a lot of love on AGF for great coverage and customer service. I finally bought a policy this year and have been impressed with the CS. Fortunately, I haven’t had to file a claim...so far.

[MakingMusic]

I also use Heritage and selected them after getting quotes from several insurers. A lot of people here like Heritage because they don't require an appraisal and their premiums are competitive, but actually an insurance company is only as good as their ability and willingness to pay claims. That's the real test. I have never had to file a claim with Heritage so I can't speak to that. Maybe someone else here will.

For many people, homeowners insurance is adequate. If your guitar is relatively inexpensive, buying musical instrument insurance is probably not worth it in the long-run. But your homeowners policy does have a limit on the amount they will pay, regardless of your guitar's value, and usually only provides coverage for "named perils", which doesn't include flood.

Musical instrument insurance, on the other hand, is designed to cover situations that musicians typically encounter and provide protection against fire, flood, theft, and damage. And since musicians travel, coverage is often worldwide.

Just make sure you get the coverage and protection you need and read the fine print.

[JAMKC]

Heritage for me as well. They are great to work with.

[zombywoof]

I am also with Heritage.

[The Bard Rocks]

Ditto - as Making Music says, the proof is in the pudding: claims. What little I have heard about this with them is very positive - but (fortunately) I have no first hand experience with their claims handling. My bet is that they would be well above the competition.

[jgmaute]

I went with Clarion because when I was first looking about 10 years ago a friend who was a full time musician recommended it and especially how great they had been when he had made claims. They also were a little cheaper for my guitars than Heritage was at the time but my main reason was his recommendation. We lived on Hilton Head Island so hurricanes were an extra concern. My homeowners insurance wouldnÂ’t cover my guitars since I gig and teach with them and I deduct my premium as an expense against money earned gigging and teaching. Fortunately I have not had to make a claim. I did talk with them and the policy covers any guitar on the policy that is shipped to a buyer or anywhere say if I shipped one instead of taking it on a planner.
www.clarions.com

[colins]

I'll put in a plug for Andersons.

I have not made a claim yet but another AGFer posted recently about making a claim with them and indicated they were good to deal with.

[mkatz]

I have been with Heritage for close to 10 years and have filed 2 claims; one for damage that occurred during shipping and one for theft. On both occurrences they were very responsive and I was reimbursed promptly for my losses.

I highly recommend Heritage.

Mitch

[highvibrational]

Thank you. I wouldn't have had any idea who to look into.

[s2y]

Mine is under home property insurance.

[The Watchman]

Are Heritage, Andersons and Clarion specialists in musical instruments or have some special features? I have a rider on my State Farm homeowners insurance to cover my guitars and wife's jewelry. Jake cut me a deal.

[UncleJesse]

Originally Posted by The Watchman

Are Heritage, Andersons and Clarion specialists in musical instruments or have some special features? I have a rider on my State Farm homeowners insurance to cover my guitars and wife's jewelry. Jake cut me a deal.

I've read some horror stories about Homeowner's riders not covering certain things. Like if you ever played out of the house or had gotten paid. They also were a lot trickier to deal with, with regards to diminished value. $200 a year for peace of mind that also includes shipping insurance when I sent guitars? Count me in.

[DavidE]

I use Heritage and have had two claims over the years. Handled really well.


As for homeowners, if you make a dime playing music, your guitars and gear (all of it) will be considered business personal property and either covered with low coverage limits or not at all. And you have your deductible to consider as well. They also don't cover diminution in value. Even if you don't make money, they'll probe you about it and you'll still have your deductible to consider. Some companies will let you add on an inland marine policy, but it's not going to be as good as one of the specialty policies.

[justonwo]

Originally Posted by DavidE

I use Heritage and have had two claims over the years. Handled really well.


As for homeowners, if you make a dime playing music, your guitars and gear (all of it) will be considered business personal property and either covered with low coverage limits or not at all. And you have your deductible to consider as well. They also don't cover diminution in value. Even if you don't make money, they'll probe you about it and you'll still have your deductible to consider. Some companies will let you add on an inland marine policy, but it's not going to be as good as one of the specialty policies.

If you don't mind, can you talk about what your claims were and how they were handled? I have had Heritage for a number of years, but I have no experience with claims. That's where the rubber really meets the road.