Naetharu Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Hi folks, Having just started out gigging I'm looking to insure my gear and I was hoping that some of you more experienced folks could point me in the direction of a good insurance company. Any points would be greatly appreciated. James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 The only recommendations worth taking are from someone who has made a successful claim on their insurance in the last year. The last time I looked at serious musical instrument insurance, by the time I had gone through all the exclusion clauses it looked as though the only time it was actually covered was whilst I was playing it on stage. Even our rehearsal room which was on the 3rd floor in a facility that wasn't shared with other users and had 4 secure lockable doors between the actual room where the gear was and the street was excluded unless we fitted bars on the window! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckstop Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 +1 It's a bit of a minefield. Personally I'd just buy a spare (with the money you'd spend on insurance) and hope that nothing goes wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 I use Allianz Mainly because I use their other policies and they've paid out when I need them to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 [quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1443017647' post='2871485'] I use Allianz Mainly because I use their other policies and they've paid out when I need them to. [/quote] Have they paid out on a musical equipment claim? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 [quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1443017647' post='2871485'] I use Allianz Mainly because I use their other policies and they've paid out when I need them to. [/quote] I use these simply because my mate told me they paid out on a claim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1443017830' post='2871488'] Have they paid out on a musical equipment claim? [/quote] Not for me, haven't needed them to. But they did write a cheque for about £250,000 when I needed them to on another policy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1443017324' post='2871480'] The only recommendations worth taking are from someone who has made a successful claim on their insurance in the last year. The last time I looked at serious musical instrument insurance, by the time I had gone through all the exclusion clauses it looked as though the only time it was actually covered was whilst I was playing it on stage. Even our rehearsal room which was on the 3rd floor in a facility that wasn't shared with other users and had 4 secure lockable doors between the actual room where the gear was and the street was excluded unless we fitted bars on the window! [/quote] This... Hence I've never bothered with specific insurance. If I hear of anyone who has successfully claimed for an instrument nicked from a back stage room whilst they were at the bar or something I'd sign up with their insurance company today. Mine are covered on the house insurance with special dispensation if I take them abroad and for business use (on the rare occasion I am paid for gigs). I had to list my basses specifically but the amps etc are covered under the usual policy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 It should be noted that some policies also include Public Liability cover. Mad to gig without it these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keving Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 I use music guard and they paid out when my son knocked my double bass over and snapped the neck off. I did have to get a damage report from a luthier and sent photos of the damage, but if I remember correctly I took longer to organise that than they took to pay out. I was really happy with that so renewed my policy this year and they didn't hike up the premium either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 [quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1443017647' post='2871485'] I use Allianz Mainly because I use their other policies and they've paid out when I need them to. [/quote] These for me too. They cover for unattended gear in cars etc... They paid out straight away when my mates room got emptied - prompted me to go with them (and get insured in the first place) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 [quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1443018071' post='2871493'] But they did write a cheque for about £250,000 when I needed them to on another policy. [/quote] Ah, a Fodera, eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzyvee Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 [quote name='Naetharu' timestamp='1443016909' post='2871478'] Hi folks, Having just started out gigging I'm looking to insure my gear and I was hoping that some of you more experienced folks could point me in the direction of a good insurance company. Any points would be greatly appreciated. James [/quote] I'd suggest Insuring at replacement cost not used price value. That way if anything happens to your gear you can always replace it with a new instrument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharkboy Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 This is something I've a bit of recent experience on (and a recent thread in the forum too!), after our guitarist's PRS custom slipped its strap and did a painful nosedive at practice one night. I'd always just relied on normal house insurance, but after a bit of research online revealled a lot of horror stories from people who had their claims refused on these policies (in most cases because they earned money gigging and therefore the companies were classifying their gear as professional equipment and therefore not covered on a domestic policy), I decided to go with specialist music equipment insurance. After comparing a couple of providers, I ended up with Allianz's musical equipment policy. It cost me around £11 per month for around £5k worth of cover, and it's pretty comprehensive. It covers pretty much every aspect of the gear that you could hope for. If the damage to your gear reduces its value after repair, it will even refund you the difference (god forbid these people ever find out about relicing your bass!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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