Insuring my instrument

Matt Raymond · #1 06-24-2008, 03:25 PM

Just bought a new Cleveland American Standard flatback hybrid. First I must say I could not be happier with this instrument. The big punchy fluffy tone is what I have been looking for for quite some time. I'm completely at ease knowing i can pick up and play this great bass every day. Next, the owners Will and Arnold went above and beyond with graciousness to make sure I was completey satisfied. American Standard is truly a top class operation. So the next step is insuring it. I have looked into a couple companies, heritage, and merz huber and I also heard about using tenant insurance. Wonderin if anybody on talk bass might have some helpful knowledge on this subject.

McThumpin · #2 06-24-2008, 03:31 PM

Yeah, I use my renter's insurance (USAA) to cover all my gear. Low premium, just under $200/yr covers $30,000 of toys anywhere in the world (not just while they're in the house). Covers theft, loss, damage... everything but normal wear and tear. Security is golden!

MingusAmongUs · #3 06-24-2008, 04:05 PM

Just to set the record straight:

American Standard stopped making basses decades ago.
Yours is a "New Standard." Confusing, yes. The New Standards are made as an improvement upon the old American Standard.

This is not as confusing as a show John Zorn put on years ago called, "New Traditions in East Asian Bar Bands," which, by the way, was terrible.

Agreed on all the above: yes, they are great guys to deal with. Yes, put this under your homeowners or renter's insurance. Instrument insurers are only worth the hassle for much more expensive instruments.

CamMcIntyre · #4 06-24-2008, 10:20 PM

I agree with Jamie to an extent, but check to see if the Renter's/Home Owners will cover the bass if you A. have it outside of the home, B. use it for 'business'.

Congrats on the Cleveland. I love my ply. It's getting some time in with a big band.

edit: Wil & Arnold are great to work with. I had a question about a gash/scratch on the back of my bass [contractors working in my apartment w/o me being given a heads up that they are coming] & Wil responded within 24hours.

MingusAmongUs · #5 06-24-2008, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamMcIntyre

I agree with Jamie to an extent, but check to see if the Renter's/Home Owners will cover the bass if you A. have it outside of the home, B. use it for 'business'.

+1

WillBuckingham · #6 06-24-2008, 11:01 PM

I've been told that the only way to insure an instrument you take out of your house for work is through the AFM.

Jazzdogg · #7 06-24-2008, 11:59 PM

Here are links to two insurance outfits that were provided in previous TB threads:

http://www.musicins.com/

http://www.musicproinsurance.com/

milomo · #8 06-25-2008, 12:23 AM

And Mertz Huber. Congrats on the bass Matt, I actually popped my head in at Cecil's one Wednesday to talk to him, and there you were playing that bass, and it/you sounded good too.

dave88 · #9 06-25-2008, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McThumpin

Yeah, I use my renter's insurance (USAA) to cover all my gear. Low premium, just under $200/yr covers $30,000 of toys anywhere in the world (not just while they're in the house). Covers theft, loss, damage... everything but normal wear and tear. Security is golden!

Well, first off I don't think everyone can get USAA. I think there has to be some military connection (my Dad's retired Navy). If you can get it though, its the best thing ever. I have roughly 30k insured for like 9$ a month. If anything happens to the equipment its taken care of with NO DEDUCTIBLE. If I get drunk and drop my upright on stage its still covered. If you have access, do it, its under the valuable items clause, and you can update it on a daily basis online (if you go through a lot of instruments like I do) and the premium will adjust on the spot.

**Bob Gollihur** · #10 06-25-2008, 08:04 AM

I've been very happy with Heritage, http://www.musicins.com/, had a bad experience with MusicPro; they failed to send me renewal notices two years in a row, resulting in a lapse in coverage, and didn't seem to give a crap about it.

larry · #11 06-26-2008, 05:51 AM

My State Farm Homeowner's policy wrote me a "professional endorsement" which covers my bass anywhere as if it were at home.

My amps and recording gear are insured through the union's provider. Check with your local - you may or may not wish to join the union. If you gig a lot or you are typically the leader, it has some good benefits (such as liability insurance in case someone trips on your gear and sues you...I know someone who had this happen).

KSB - Ken Smith · #12 06-26-2008, 06:07 AM

My Agent has had trouble getting my Basses insured for over 50k (each) for the more expensive ones outside my office/storage area. He said I might need a separate policy for each Bass as I have several 'biggies' in stock and only have them fully covered in-house. The 50k easily covers repairs but not theft. If in a car accident with one of these it might be a problem with a limit that low on a per-incident basis.

In-house I have full replacement cost which is great. If a Bass is 60k today and 5 years from now is 100k, I would get that much to replace it IF the incident happens inside the building.

As you can imagine, I guard my Basses quite well when taking them out.

Uncletoad · #13 06-26-2008, 06:58 AM

If you are a professional musician, IE playing for compensation you cannot use most homeowners/renters policies to cover your stuff.

Ask your agent for an Inland/Marine policy for your musical instruments that covers your stuff for replacement value. If something is damaged no matter where its is then you get coverage for repair or replacement minus a deductible. As Ken pointed out they usually have limits and strict rules regarding "antiques". A good agent can be very useful in sorting out proper coverage.

If you are not a professional check to see if you need a rider on your home policy to cover specific stuff like your bass. Most do.

Moreover, don't delay. If you get caught without it you can loose all the bread you have in it.

Been there. Not fun.

**Bob Gollihur** · #14 06-26-2008, 08:54 AM

I know I break this out periodically, but if it lights a fire (ouch) under those considering insurance it is well worthwhile.

This was a Fri-Sat rock gig in 1975 where we came back for Saturday night and found the place had burned down in the a.m. hours - nobody called to tell us. (talk about a shock)

The capper is that we were about 1-2 weeks from finalizing our group insurance policy, still waiting for the guitar player to come up with all his receipts for the policy declarations.

I realize that not many of us will leave our instruments overnight at a gig, but our houses are flammable, too.

Get insurance.