Bass guitar Insurance

I may be wrong, but i am pretty sure your bass would be covered under home owners insurance... My bass is..

In a lot of cases, not if you play out.

All of my instruments are covered under homeowner's.

Does your policy allow performing for money? I was surprised to find that that nullifies coverage in a lot of cases.

i just have "renter's insurance" right now. i asked my agent about my basses and he told me that they were covered - but only up to $3000. i ended up having to pay only a few dollars a month to totally insure the total value of my bass collection.

point is that every company has different rules and amounts that they will cover for musical instruments.

also, if anyone is renting a house or apartment (like me) get renter's insurance!

hey, i'm after the same kinda thing...i'm off to uni in october, and will be staying in halls Of Residence, and i wanna take my £600 5er. I asked my drummer who's got his kit insured with proper musical instrument insurance for £2000 (all cymbals ) and he reckons he only pays £15 a year.
gotta do some more research

*Si*

I would make absolutely sure that your basses are covered under homeowners insurance, because usually electric instruments and electronics are not covered. You probably need an additional scheduled property policy to cover your instruments and other musical gear.
G

Careful guys! I've pasted from my reply to an earlier thread last year:

I don't know much about the policies purchased through musician's unions or those type sources. However, I am an Allstate Insurance agent, and can tell you some things to be aware of when insuring your basses on a homeowners/renters policy. You should verify your own company's policy stipulations:

First, most auto policies I know of do not cover any contents, other than what was originally designed to go into the car (ie: the car stereo, but not your CD collection,power amp you installed under your seat, your bass, etc). If someone breaks into your car and steals your bass, its a homeowner/renters policy claim.

Second, our homeowner/renter's policies have additional coverages you can purchase, one for "professional" music equipment, and one for "non-professional" equipment. (Playing for pay = professional) Again, check with your own agent for additional coverages they may offer.

Thirdly, all claims are subject to whatever deductible you choose for your property policy, so don't claim a MIM Jazz Bass if you have a $500 deductible, as you won't get anything.

If you have ANYTHING remotely resembling "vintage" or "custom", by all means, have it appraised! It will make for a much fairer settlement when dealing with an adjuster who, you will do well to remember, doesn't know a bass you play from a bass you catch. Their job is to try to settle each claim quickly, but to spend as little of the company's money as possible. Have something to back you up.

I USED TO have my basses covered by a separate rider on my homeowner's policy until:

1) They dropped the maximum replacement value for the total policy from $20,000 to $5,000

2) They clarified their clause regarding not covering if I play for pay to include "opportunities where compensation is offered but declined"

The company I'm with now insures my instruments, amps, cabinets, even my cases, whether I'm at home, travelling or playing. They are covered at replacement value. The cost is $200 / yr or $0.55 per $100 of value, whichever is greater.

The company is Merz-Huber in Swarthmore, PA.

Peace,

James

As stated in the previous replys, check with your agent.. Tell them if you play professionally or as a hobby, where you play and what you have... I have a rider on my homeowners policy that covers everything.. It's not really that expensive to get either... Good luck... Steven..