Musical instrument and home contents insurance

nlamont

I took out musical instrument insurance last year for £25000 worth of instruments, of which I might take £4-500 worth out of the house at one time. The insurance covers damage, theft from a locked car, and theft from a venue ONLY IF the instrument is in a locked room, which is unusual in the pubs where I play.

I'm wondering if it's worth it in my circumstances given that:
- my house contents insurance covers personal possessions up to £2500 anywhere in the UK including theft from a car
- it costs £5.00 every time you add an instrument
- I don't play professionally, so don't really need instrument hire .
- the excess on house contents is £50, on the instruments policy £100

I spoke to the house contents insurere (Direct Line) who confirmed the instruments are covered - as long as they're not covered by another policy and as longs as they're not 'in use' (the guy I spoke to couldn't find that in the policy details but assured me it would apply if I claimed).

Does anyone have experience of this? It seems the cover from my house contents is enough.

chris73

For a professional level of cover consider using MusicGuard they offer a professional level of cover with very few limitations and specialise in this industry.

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nlamont

Sorry Chris but the insurance I'm talking about, which I'm deciding whether or not to renew, is with Musicguard.

telly-addict

Provided that you're not using the instruments professionally, then there should be no need for separate instruments insurance. Many home policies will have a clause specifically excluding cover for musical instruments used professionally.

There are 2 aspects of cover to consider:

1. Cover for the whole lot of instruments in the home. This will cover burglary, fire, etc. - and accidental damage, if you have taken out this additional cover. You need to make sure that your total sum insured is adequate. You will need to consider whether you need to increase to cover the addition of the musical instruments.

2. Cover away from the home - this will include loss or accidental damage. If you take up to £5K worth of instruments out of the house at one time, you'll need to increase your personal possessions cover appropriately.

You'll need to check with your insurer again, but the comment about no cover when the instruments are being played sounds dubious. Suspect that the insurer was getting confused with the professional use exclusion.

The usual caveats apply about checking your policy wording and the level of cover in place.

studiodaz

nlamont wrote:

I took out musical instrument insurance last year for £25000 worth of instruments, of which I might take £4-500 worth out of the house at one time. The insurance covers damage, theft from a locked car, and theft from a venue ONLY IF the instrument is in a locked room, which is unusual in the pubs where I play.

I'm wondering if it's worth it in my circumstances given that:
- my house contents insurance covers personal possessions up to £2500 anywhere in the UK including theft from a car
- it costs £5.00 every time you add an instrument
- I don't play professionally, so don't really need instrument hire .
- the excess on house contents is £50, on the instruments policy £100

I spoke to the house contents insurere (Direct Line) who confirmed the instruments are covered - as long as they're not covered by another policy and as longs as they're not 'in use' (the guy I spoke to couldn't find that in the policy details but assured me it would apply if I claimed).

Does anyone have experience of this? It seems the cover from my house contents is enough.

Make sure your home contents cover don't class your music gear as high risk items as they will not pay out.

I found out that my insurer classed all my gears as high risk after calling them after being with them for two years, but when I started the cover they said that my music gear was covered. I would not rely on them unless you have it in writing.

I am now also with musicguard :j