Insurance

[missis sumner]

It may be a bit late to ask, since tonight's practice was cancelled due to our rented industrial unit being on fire, but, please talk to me...

1. Can you get insurance to cover musical equipment in general, that covers for gigs etc (if we ever get any)?

2. Any recommendations for insurance for items kept in industrial units (contents cover)?

I realise I'm just rambling, but it's taking my mind off the events of tonight... Our actual part of the unit isn't yet on fire, nor does it seem water damaged, but my mind has already moved on to asbestos/contamination... when will we get our gear back/if we get our gear back... 😬

[Lozz196]

I use Insure4Music. I’ve never had to claim so can’t comment on that area but setting up the insurance and the levels/prices all were pretty straightforward enough to deal with.

[missis sumner]

I'll take a look.  Thanks.

[Twigman]

I use Insure4Musuc. Worldwide cover - Insure by value- no need for specifics - not had to claim yet but gives some peace of mind. I’m trusting they’d pay out fairly if something did go wrong.

[Teebs]

The suggestions of Insure4Music sound good - I might take a look myself. 👍

Check your household insurance policy first - you may be covered anyway; my household insurance covers everything in the property, and up to about £2k outside (ie. at a gig / rehearsal).

I hope you get your stuff back intact & soon - very worrying

Good luck 👍

[missis sumner]

Looking at the photos online last night, the wind was blowing in the right direction for us.  I haven't had any updates this morning though, only that the road is still closed.

Good shout on the house insurance - I'll take a look, thanks.

[PaulWarning]

my home insurance covers me outside the house, now if they'd pay out if stuff was stolen from my car or untended at gigs is another thing, if they get a whiff of getting paid (strictly hobby use only) I suspect the claim will be thrown out, but I'm from the "I can afford to replace it so I don't bother with insurance" camp

 

[Cat Burrito]

New Moon for me and although I forgot to ask, you do get a 10% discount if you mention Basschat.

Again, never claimed but very easy to deal with. Really friendly and helpful. I just amended my policy and there was no charge.

[ambient]

If you’re in the MU you get free insurance, it’s provided through a company called Hencilla Canworth. Maybe get a quote from them direct? They were really helpful a couple of years ago when my MacBook was damaged at a gig.

Unfortunately you only ever find out how good a company is when you make a claim. I think I’d therefore choose a specialist company that realises the needs of a musician, than simply rely on my household insurance, even if it costs a little more. 

[missis sumner]

Well, still no update other than we won't get on site until power is restored and "dangerous materials" have been cleaned up from site.

At least it gives me time to sort insurance out.

MU is another good shout - I've just never thought of myself as a musician... lol

[Monkey Steve]

Another New Moon customer here - and I did remember to use the BassChat discount.  Very cheap compared to the previous cover i had (Allianz - not that I ever had any problems with them) but I haven't had to claim.

You should be able to get site specific insurance from any insurer and they should certainly cover stuff that's not at home, but check the Ts & Cs (or better still, give them a ring) to see whether you have to inform them if anything is not being stored at the main address.

The point that Paul W flags on home insurance is one to keep in mind.  In general home insurance will cover your stuff, and this may extend to some cover for stuff that isn't at home, but it will definitely not cover your instruments if the insurer regards them as "professional tools".  We've got into debates before about whether instruments can be considered professional tools when most people are lucky to get a couple of pints and a fiver for a gig at the Dog & Duck, but the conversations I've had with insurers has always made this very clear - the focus is not on the word "professional" in the sense of "are you a professional musician", but whether you are playing gigs and getting any sort of pay for it.  It doesn't matter what your opinion is, it only matters what the insurer has put in their contract and what they decide it means.  Insurers aren't known for reasonableness and applying the spirit of the thing, they are known for pointing at the contract wording and saying "no".

Again, I suggest having a conversation with the insurer to discuss whether the home insurance is adequate for what you need.

[Lozz196]

Very good point Steve, our band is a registered business so it would be difficult to try and say we weren’t earning in any way at all. Hence why I have specific musical equipment insurance.

[Lozz196]

On 29/05/2019 at 10:46, Cat Burrito said:

New Moon for me and although I forgot to ask, you do get a 10% discount if you mention Basschat.

Again, never claimed but very easy to deal with. Really friendly and helpful. I just amended my policy and there was no charge.

I did an online quote with New Moon yesterday and they came out £40 cheaper than my existing policy, and that’s without the 10% Basschat discount. Rather chuffed with that.

[Hobbayne]

Wonder if the OP's gear escaped unscathed.

[Blink]

I use Musicguard. Never had to claim but they do cover in unattended locked vehicles and you get Public Liability cover thrown in

[Cat Burrito]

3 hours ago, Lozz196 said:

I did an online quote with New Moon yesterday and they came out £40 cheaper than my existing policy, and that’s without the 10% Basschat discount. Rather chuffed with that.

For anyone interested;

 

[Monkey Steve]

One other point to flag...

“Unattended vehicle cover” may not mean what you think.  Specifically, it usually means that items are covered only if the items are locked in the boot of the car. Not on the back seat, or the rear of an estate. At best it may extend to being “out of sight” 

not great for bass players when our instruments often don’t fit in the boot.

if you’re paying extra for this, best check the exact wording to be sure that you could actually make a claim

[missis sumner]

7 hours ago, Hobbayne said:

Wonder if the OP's gear escaped unscathed.

So do I...

Although, I have given up worrying now.

 

Edit: Still no access - see what happens next week.

Edited May 31, 2019 by missis sumner

[xgsjx]

For the gigging musician, go specialist (New Moon, Music Guard, Musician's Union, insure4music, etc.

If you're willing to take the chance or just jam now & again, then getting cover under your home insurance may give you ample cover, but often only covers in a vehicle if in a locked boot & out of sight.

I was covered with Blue Moon, but as I'm in the latter camp for the present, Home Insurance it is.

[missis sumner]

Just to close this one off, we got in to the unit on Thursday.  Thankfully no damage to any of the gear.

Think we've been a bit lucky.

Still haven't sorted any insurance, though... 😳  but I did take my bass home with me.