| Author |
Comment |
Sorefingers
Registered User
Posts: 114
(7/20/01 12:11:41 am)
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Purchasing/Obtaining Insurance for a Cello
I have finally paid off my cello - yehaw, it's mine! How or where
would I obtain insurance to cover it's value in the event it gets
damaged while I'm at a gig or traveling to and from my home? The
cello is covered by my homeowner's policy while in my
residence.
How is the cello's value appraised? I don't live
near a metropolitan area. Would a qualified luthier's opinion be
sufficient?
Are there companies that insure musical
instruments?
I'm not talking "one of the BIG Names of the
cello world " here, but it's a large purchase to me and one that I
would not easily be able to replace.
Gina
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Dick500
Registered User
Posts: 102
(7/20/01 8:23:58 am)
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Getting
insurance
You could probably get an Insurance Appraisal (there are several
types of appraisals) from a qualified luthier. But on the other
hand, if you recently bought it, you should have a receipt, yes? The
nice thing about insurance appraisals is that they are often written
for an amount over the purchase price to cover expected increases in
value over the short term. If you got your cello from a shop, ask
them for an appraisal as part of the deal. If not, then you will
have to pay a fee to somebody else to appraise the
cello/bow/case.
If your cello is covered by your homeowner's
policy in the same fashion that any of your home-bound possessions
like your tv set, your couch, and your house are, then you need to
talk to your homeowners insurance agent about adding a separate
rider to cover the cello. Separate riders add a little to the price
of your policy, but it is well worth it. With a separate rider, you
should be covered when you take the cello out of its case, out of
the house, in your car, to a rehearsal, etc. Ask your insurance
agent for the details. S/he should be happy to provide you with the
coverage information as separate riders are commonplace things in
the insurance biz. A receipt might be sufficient.
Separate
riders are generally not the thing for professional players who earn
all or the bulk of their income from playing. In that case, you
might talk to your insurance agent about a separate policy
(sometimes called an inland marine policy--no, it is not for your
canoe orfishing boat) which costs significantly more than a rider.
You'll need a recent appraisal.
Not all local homeowners
agents feel comfortable insuring mondo-cost musical instruments on
separate policies. The websites of a couple of companies that come
to mind, and who we recommend, that specialize in insuring expensive
musical instruments are http://www.merzhuber.com/
(Merz-Huber Co) and clarionins.com
(Clarion Associates, Inc). Another one who we also recommend, but
whose website I don't know, is Heritage Insurance Services, In. They
may be e-mailed at ellish@heritage-ins-services.com.
Hope
this helps.
Dick
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Sorefingers
Registered User
Posts: 115
(7/20/01 10:34:31 am)
Reply
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Re: Getting
insurance
Thanks Dick. This is such an exciting time - never in my wildest
dreams did I ever think I would actually own such a wonderful
instrument. Then the thought of all the potential dangers "out
there" dawned on me the other day - like being a first time parent
bringing home a new baby.
Gina
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MaryK
Registered
User
Posts: 663
(7/20/01 10:54:18
am)
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I Second
That...
An insurance rider, I mean. Got one added to my HO insurance just
by providing receipts, etc. The cost is less than $50/year (of
course, my instrument isn't worth beacoup bucks; your cost for
coverage may vary), and was effective immediately. Just for the
peace of mind it is well worth it!
Cheers,
MaryK
Edited by: MaryK
at: 7/20/01 4:20:28 pm
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JanJan2
Registered User
Posts: 198
(7/20/01 11:54:47 am)
Reply
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Re: Getting
insurance
Don't forget to insure your bow and case, too!
Just curious
- what did you buy, Gina?
Janet |
Sorefingers
Registered User
Posts: 117
(7/22/01 9:39:56 pm)
Reply
|
Re: Getting
insurance
A Wyss, made in Brugg, Switzerland, 2000. Lovely instrument -
Guarneri copy - big bass register with lovely human-like voice on
the top. It just keeps getting better the longer I have it - it will
be a year in October.
Gina
Edited by: Sorefingers
at: 7/22/01 10:56:00
pm
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