Who Would I have Insure My Horn? And How?

[ChuBerry47]

I know a related topic was posted in another thread, but I am getting my horn back, and I don't want anything to happen to it. I have State Farm insurance, but I have some questions about insuring it, so I don't really have to bother them. :laughing:


Would I pay one fee of insurance, or would I pay a small monthly amount?

Would it be expensive?

Would it be covered, say, if I was to have damage done to it a gig, or school? Or would it only be covered at my home?

Thanks, please help!

[Graftonsax]

When I had State Farm, you got a written appraisal gave it to them, then paid something around $10 per thousand of insurance you wanted. It was called a personal articles policy, and more of a rider to your homeowners policy. The cool thing is, at least back then, it covered the horn anywhere it was and if for any reason something happened, damage, fire, theft, flood, plague of locust, the horn sprouts legs and walks away it is covered. Anywhere you go. Oh, and you pay it yearly. I haven't had it in maybe 5 years, so I'm sure the price is not quite the same, but it's cheap.

[Bossman]

When I met with my insurance guy and told him exactly what I wanted, basically all he did was increase my house insurance by 5k. I pay something like 3$ more per month on it, and that's it. It's covered anywhere I take it and for any damages/theft etc.

[ChuBerry47]

Sweet!! Thanks, I am going to call my agent Later!!! YESS!!!!! Thanks a lot Grafton. :D :D :D :D :D


P.S. You post just appeared BossMan. Thanks too!! I am Calling my agent! :D


-Ian

[jrw1]

I have my instruments insured with State Farm. To answer your questions:

1) I'm not sure just how granular State Farm's payment options are; I pay the entire year at once. But I do know that they give you a choice. you don't have to pay all at once.

2) It's not very expensive. I have a renter's insurance policy for my apartment that costs about $250 per year. Then I have a rider for my horns that is called a "personal articles policy." That policy is about $70 per year.

3) In my case, my gear would be covered under the personal articles policy, even if it were outside my home. You'll need to confirm this with your State Farm agent, don't take any chances.

One thing I can't speak to is their claims service. I've never had damage or theft that I filed a claim for.

Hope this helps.

[Graftonsax]

Sweet!! Thanks, I am going to call my agent Later!!! YESS!!!!! Thanks a lot Grafton. :D :D :D :D :D


P.S. You post just appeared BossMan. Thanks too!! I am Calling my agent! :D


-Ian

Let us know if the prices hold true, I don't really gig as much and my bari isn't worth much so I stopped the insurance years ago.

[ChuBerry47]

Will Do! :)

[Carl H.]

If they are hobby instruments, insuring is different from working tools - pro player. If your instrument is lost or damaged on a paying gig, your insurer will go after whatever they can to not pay out a claim.

[daigle65]

I'm insured through the AFM, it's all risks so I'm insured in any situation.
It's expensive though.
If you're adding it to your home insurance it may not cover theft or damage outside the home, make sure you read all the fine print.

[Augman]

if you have a horn on your home policy , and it is stolen , I think they then raise your premiums as you are a higher risk . sometimes making it not worth it. I need to insure my horns too. I feel nervous leaving at bars , gigs, and even at my house

[J.Max]

if you have a horn on your home policy , and it is stolen , I think they then raise your premiums as you are a higher risk . sometimes making it not worth it. I need to insure my horns too. I feel nervous leaving at bars , gigs, and even at my house

All homeowners claims raise your premiums, but claims to the actual house generally raise it more - especially water claims. (And if you make too many, they'll yank your coverage and it can be tough to find new coverage when you've been dropped by another company.) Personal property claims shouldn't hit you too much, especially on a Scheduled Personal Property floater.

I have to be careful about what I say on an internet forum, as I am a licensed agent and a registered securities representative.

[Bunny Stewart]

I was sent to an agency called Clydesdale by the local AFM rep here and they ask for a base amount (I for get how much, but it's not cheap) per 100$ replacement value for the gear. I was told by someone that if you a re a professional musician no type of homeowners insurance will cover your gear. Don't know if this is true or not, just what I heard.

I've never made a claim, but I have a friend who has made several and he says they are amazing to deal with. Paid him back for repairs or replacement as soon as he sent them a receipt.

[LANDRUSAX]

Hello everyone,
I have all my horns insured through Clarion Associates. They are an exclusively musical instrument insurance company. I know a lot of musicians who use them. With the home owners insurance, there are some loop holes about using the instrument professionally that negates coverage. This is why I have used a company that works with full time musicians. Try out clarion and get a quote. I hope this helps,
take care,
B

[J.Max]

I was sent to an agency called Clydesdale by the local AFM rep here and they ask for a base amount (I for get how much, but it's not cheap) per 100$ replacement value for the gear. I was told by someone that if you a re a professional musician no type of homeowners insurance will cover your gear. Don't know if this is true or not, just what I heard.

I've never made a claim, but I have a friend who has made several and he says they are amazing to deal with. Paid him back for repairs or replacement as soon as he sent them a receipt.

It is true that musical equipment used for business is not covered by a homeowner's policy by definition. It's used for BUSINESS, and therefore it needs to be covered by a business policy. The way that the insurance industry looks at it, any time you are paid for a gig, you become a business (a sole proprietorship) and therefore the homeowners' policy doesn't apply. There is inherently more risk in using an instrument professionally (it is outside the home more) and because it is an item that is used to make your living, there is inherently more risk that you will make a claim if something happens. (This is also the reason why your car isn't covered under your auto policy if you are using it as a taxi, for example.)

I'm not endorsing any company, but some companies do offer professional musical equipment coverage under the homeowners' policy, but you'll need to ask an agent about it.

There are also specialty companies; Clarion is the biggest one that I've heard of, but there are others.

[Saxnflut]

I agree with J. Max, I've never known a renters or homeowner policy to cover a pro-player's equipment, even if used in the home. The deal-breaker is if its used "professionally", or "for business use". I've used Clarion for many, many years, and the rare once or twice I actually had a claim, they paid up right away, plus you can insure your stuff at their "replacement value", so that aging Korg O1W can be insured for what it would cost to buy a new Triton!

I will call my State-Farm agent, and ask him about the "personal articles policy", just in case, but I'm not optimistic, unless things have changed in just the last few years....
Clarion's policy will cover all instruments & equipment, wherever you may be, EXCEPT if they were in an unlocked car! So, if you have things stolen from your car, make sure the police report notes it was broken into......

[Mal 2]

I have been inquiring about a personal articles floater as well, as I finally did an inventory and realized the replacement of the collected instruments to be about $8,500 (only $2,000 in any one instrument). Since they do go out on gigs sometimes, I stated that up front, and was pretty much left with a handful of carriers that would quote it, and they all have $500 minimum premiums. So now I'm thinking I might as well see what else I can get lumped in for that $500 -- like three and a half computers, a couple of sound systems, etc.

Unfortunately I do not know the actual rate used to arrive at the premium, so I don't know just how much I could bundle into that policy and still only pay the $500.