Instrument Insurance

ttf_anonymous · Post by **ttf_anonymous** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 6:41 am

After years of either borrowing instruments or owning student models of all shapes and sizes, I have made a pragmatic decision to purchase a new, professional grade trombone and focus on playing only it. However, I then for the first time thought about insurance.

Do people get their horns covered through home and contents insurance? Do they create a policy solely for the instrument? Do you use a specific insurer? Or do you use the same company for your other belongings? I am curious to hear how people do it.

I am based in Australia, so if anyone out there has any region specific knowledge, that would be fantastic. However any advice would be greatly appreciate.

Many thanks from a former wandering bandsman.

ttf_tbathras · Post by **ttf_tbathras** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 6:55 am

I have a "Personal Articles" policy attached to my homeowner's insurance that explicitly covers my horns that I pay a small additional fee for. If I claimed income from the use of my horns on my taxes, I would have to have a different more expensive policy.

ttf_Anorak · Post by **ttf_Anorak** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 6:58 am

Quote from: tbathras on Jun 19, 2017, 06:55AMI have a "Personal Articles" policy attached to my homeowner's insurance that explicitly covers my horns that I pay a small additional fee for.

That sounds like a good option. Forgive my ignorance, but do you have to specify how much they are worth individually?

ttf_tbathras · Post by **ttf_tbathras** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 7:03 am

Quote from: Anorak on Jun 19, 2017, 06:58AMThat sounds like a good option. Forgive my ignorance, but do you have to specify how much they are worth individually?

Yes, and provide proof of that value - either a quote/appraisal from dealer/repair shop, or a receipt.

I always insure my horns for full retail, replacement value.

It may differ slightly based on your insurance company.

There is some coverage usually provided by the homeowner's policy itself, but usually not enough to cover a boutique horn. You'd have to to inquire with your provider.

ttf_Anorak · Post by **ttf_Anorak** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 7:12 am

Thank you for the information. It's going to be a fun few months for me sorting all this out!

ttf_tbathras · Post by **ttf_tbathras** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 7:18 am

Quote from: Anorak on Jun 19, 2017, 07:12AMThank you for the information. It's going to be a fun few months for me sorting all this out!

I actually like my insurance agent... I just called them up and said what I wanted; they were plenty helpful in guiding me through it. (My whole family has used the same agency for probably the last 40 or more years - I'm the 3rd generation) so they threat know me and treat us well. it's nice when you actually work with people from your neighborhood and not have to call some call center based in who knows where.

ttf_Anorak · Post by **ttf_Anorak** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 7:22 am

That is certainly a good situation. My family have our cars insured with one company in the area. I will have to have a chat to him and see what is available through him.

ttf_trombonemetal · Post by **ttf_trombonemetal** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 9:03 am

If you are playing the horn professionally I would get actual musical instrument insurance from Clarion or something similar. It's not that expensive. I used to have a personal articles policy but my agent told me that I would not be covered if I was at a paying gig.

ttf_Anorak · Post by **ttf_Anorak** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 10:01 am

Quote from: trombonemetal on Jun 19, 2017, 09:03AMIf you are playing the horn professionally I would get actual musical instrument insurance from Clarion or something similar. It's not that expensive. I used to have a personal articles policy but my agent told me that I would not be covered if I was at a paying gig.

It seems intriguing that you wouldn't be covered at a gig. It's a good question to ask.

ttf_tbathras · Post by **ttf_tbathras** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 10:10 am

Quote from: Anorak on Jun 19, 2017, 10:01AMIt seems intriguing that you wouldn't be covered at a gig. It's a good question to ask.

Yeah, it's the difference between hobby/personal item vs. business property. In the eyes of insurance, those are very different things.

ttf_SilverBone · Post by **ttf_SilverBone** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 1:19 pm

I found Clarion much cheaper than a rider on my homeowner's insurance. As to value, for Clarion you must get an appraisal for any trombones worth over $5K, otherwise just inventory them and value them as you think best.

Trombones being pretty cheap, I needed one appraisal for my entire herd.

ttf_trombonemetal · Post by **ttf_trombonemetal** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 1:45 pm

If it's a new horn (over 5k) you don't even need the appraisal, just a receipt. I insured 3 top of the line horns, one of which was new, and a bunch other stuff (cases etc) and it was all by phone and email. Painless.

ttf_fsung · Post by **ttf_fsung** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 3:37 pm

Quote from: tbathras on Jun 19, 2017, 06:55AMI have a "Personal Articles" policy attached to my homeowner's insurance that explicitly covers my horns that I pay a small additional fee for. If I claimed income from the use of my horns on my taxes, I would have to have a different more expensive policy.

Be careful about using claiming income as the basis for distinguishing between personal and professional use.

When I was researching instrument insurance for my euphoniums several years ago, all but one of the dozen or so insurance companies I contacted classified deriving any income from playing an instrument, even in the form of an honorarium, mileage reimbursement, or a charitable donation receipt, as professional use, and disallowed coverage of the instrument under a "personal articles" policy. (The one company that didn't only covered the instrument while it was in the home or at a performance venue, but not in a vehicle in transit to or from the venue.)

Also, different insurers have different definitions of what types of uses are covered and the extent of the coverage. The last thing you want is to have to file a claim, thinking you're covered, and have it denied because of some oversight or erroneous assumption on your part.

OP: given the probability that the "rules" are different in OZ than in the US, it would be prudent to get a copy of the terms and conditions attached to any potential policy and go over them with your agent so you're clear on what is and what is not covered.

ttf_trombonemetal · Post by **ttf_trombonemetal** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 4:15 pm

Just go to clarion.

ttf_growlerbox · Post by **ttf_growlerbox** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 4:26 pm

Quote from: trombonemetal on Jun 19, 2017, 04:15PMJust go to clarion.

I think Clarion is US only. These guys (http://www.musicins.net) operate in Australia and New Zealand. There may be others.

ttf_Anorak · Post by **ttf_Anorak** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 10:48 pm

Thank you for all the responses. I have since found two specialist companies in Australia that insure instruments, however all the points raised here are good ones and I will be asking a lot of questions to sort it out.

One of them specifies on their website that the instruments can be covered whilst in the car, even going so far as to offer Climatic Cover (probably more geared towards string players), so there are options out there. It's always good however to field the question to a forum, because there are things that crop up you don't often think of yourself.

ttf_Dombat · Post by **ttf_Dombat** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 11:15 pm

Go to Marsh. I was with them for years in Australia and had 2 claims with them, one for damage from a flight and obe for a dent in the slide. They allowed me to choose my repairer (in the case of the flight I could use a German repairer and in the case of the slide they let me use Greenhoe) and covered international shipping and costs. Service was quick abd friendly and price-wise much better than home and contents.

ttf_Anorak · Post by **ttf_Anorak** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 11:30 pm

Quote from: Dombat on Jun 19, 2017, 11:15PMGo to Marsh. I was with them for years in Australia and had 2 claims with them, one for damage from a flight and obe for a dent in the slide. They allowed me to choose my repairer (in the case of the flight I could use a German repairer and in the case of the slide they let me use Greenhoe) and covered international shipping and costs. Service was quick abd friendly and price-wise much better than home and contents.

I have heard of Marsh; they are next on my list to investigate. Sounds like a great group to deal with!

ttf_Anorak · Post by **ttf_Anorak** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 11:30 pm

Quote from: Dombat on Jun 19, 2017, 11:15PMGo to Marsh. I was with them for years in Australia and had 2 claims with them, one for damage from a flight and obe for a dent in the slide. They allowed me to choose my repairer (in the case of the flight I could use a German repairer and in the case of the slide they let me use Greenhoe) and covered international shipping and costs. Service was quick abd friendly and price-wise much better than home and contents.

I have heard of Marsh; they are next on my list to investigate. Sounds like a great group to deal with!