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Music Equipment Insurance

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous [DB]' started by Monte, Jul 8, 2003.

  1. Jul 8, 2003 #1
    Monte

    Monte

    Jan 9, 2001
    DFW Area, Tejas
    Just a heads up for those of you who insure your equipment:

    With some changes to my equipment, I changed my policy and found out that
    Music Pro Insurance has raised their rates again to $1.00 per $100. This
    puts them now more expensive than Merz-Huber, which has rates of $0.75 per
    $100. Both are all-risk policies.

    However, after checking both pros and cons, I stayed with Music Pro and
    thought some might be interested as well.

    First, MusicPro has a lower deductible of $100/ per loss, while Merz-Huber
    is $500 per loss. That might not seem worth it, but under Merz Huber, if
    some clumsy stagehand decapitates your scroll you may appreciate the
    difference. There are lots of repairs that can be needed to a doublebass due
    to accident that cost under $500.

    Second, MusicPro will insure your non-instrument equipment, like amps,
    transducers, mics, etc. Merz-Huber is only instruments. Also, MusicPro will
    cover computer equipment if you use it.

    Last, MusicPro is less hassle. Merz-Huber requires you be a member of ISB
    (not a bad thing), sale receipt, recent appraisal, and pictures. None of
    that required from MusicPro.

    I'm in my 3rd year with them and have not had a claim with them, but know
    someone who was on tour with someone who had a valuable guitar stolen or
    destroyed (can't remember which now), and they were paid promptly full
    replacement value.

    MusicPro renews everyone on 6/20, so if you join later they will pro-rate
    you for the remainder of the year.

    Anyway, thought it might be helpful to some. If you play gigs, be aware that
    your homeowners policy will NOT cover you in most cases if the mishap
    happens outside your home.

    The websites are:
    http://www.musicproinsurance.com/
    http://www.maestronet.com/ad/merz-huber.html

    Monte
     
  2. Jul 8, 2003 #2
    tsolo

    tsolo

    Aug 24, 2002
    Ft. Worth
    Great info, Monte.
     
  3. Jul 9, 2003 #3
    swingfingers

    swingfingers

    Apr 15, 2002
    Philadelphia area
    Also, as of a year or so ago, Merz Huber raised their minimum insurance rate from $100 to $200 per annum. Does Music Pro have a minimum?

    Monte
    Merz-Huber told me they would insure my amp etc. – any gear I needed to play my instrument. Have yet to actually follow through on this because I haven’t gotten an appraisal yet. Anyone else been able to do this with Merz-Huber?

    Monte
    Actually, Merz-Huber requires sales receipt OR appraisal – and I have never been asked for pictures. Does MusicPro not require any evidence of your gear or its worth??

    Does sound like MusicPro is very worth looking into. Thanks, Monte! Anyone else have experience with them?
     
  4. Jul 9, 2003 #4
    Monte

    Monte

    Jan 9, 2001
    DFW Area, Tejas
    Sorry for the misinformation Swingfingers; my info came from the website and a conversation with a rep on price. I assumed that they didn't cover equipment from what she said.

    I think you're right; it was either/ or on receipt or recent appraisal. She said she needed 2 pictures; one of the back and one of the front.

    Music Pro requires nothing from you.

    Monte
     
  5. Jul 9, 2003 #5
    Monte

    Monte

    Jan 9, 2001
    DFW Area, Tejas
    Yes, it is $50/ annum.

    Monte
     
  6. Jul 9, 2003 #6
    swingfingers

    swingfingers

    Apr 15, 2002
    Philadelphia area
    MusicPro sounds pretty impressive. Thanks, Monte!
     
  7. Sep 29, 2003 #7
    swingfingers

    swingfingers

    Apr 15, 2002
    Philadelphia area
    Since reading and posting in this thread I've begun to try to get insurance through MusicPro. My Merz-Huber Insurance is up in October, and at the moment, it only covers my DB (not my electrics, amps etc.) due to the fact that it is the only instrument I have an appraisal for.

    So about a month and a half ago, I contacted MusicPro, printed one of their forms and faxed it to them. They told me it could take up to five days to get back to me (more than their website advertised time) but I thought that was very fair. After almost 2 weeks I called them several times and left a voice message as I couldn't get through. Finally, a few days later, a fax came through with an estimate. As I would like to insure my stuff asap I called them right away to give 'em my credit card info and seal the deal. Again, no one there, so again I left a message with my phone # and full details. It has been almost 2 weeks since then and still no response. I am starting to wonder that if they are this unresponsive when a potential customer is calling to give them money, what would they be like in dealing with a claim??

    Whenever I have called Merz-Huber, I have gotten someone on the phone right away. I have had to use them for a claim and found them very responsive. I'm beginning to think I should suck it up and find appaisals for my other gear and stick with Merz-Huber. I really don't want to do this because I've got quite a bit of gear that would cost both a lot of time and $$ to have appraised. On the other hand, MusicPro's no need of appraisals and lower deductibles don't mean much if you can't get a rep on the phone.

    Am I being too critical? What have others' experiences been?
     
  8. Sep 29, 2003 #8
    tsolo

    tsolo

    Aug 24, 2002
    Ft. Worth
    I got an estimate really quick. I emailed them right away that i wanted the coverage. I emailed them again, emailed them again... That was in mid July. Only insurance I have right now is TWO BIG dogs that won't let any one in the yard if I'm not there. I'll try one more time - maybe they are REALLY busy. Maybe i'll try home owners and auto insurance riders.
     
  9. Sep 30, 2003 #9
    Bob Gollihur

    Bob Gollihur GollihurMusic.com In Memoriam

    Mar 22, 2000
    Cape of New Jersey
    Big Cheese Emeritus: Gollihur Music (retired)
    They have been slow from the very beginning, and since they have gotten bigger due to sourcing insurance through a Musicians Friend marketing relationship it does make them slow.

    OTOH, they have always come through with the info and policy updates I needed. Also, I just got an updated policy from them, after my renewal, and it mentions that they intend to put all policy info online for policyholder access and for making changes. Even if it takes them a year to do it, it would be a welcome feature.
     
  10. Oct 20, 2003 #10
    swingfingers

    swingfingers

    Apr 15, 2002
    Philadelphia area
    Merz-Huber's minimum is now $300!!

    Musci Pro does not answer my e-mails or telephone calls.

    Does anyone know any viable alternatives??
     
  11. Oct 20, 2003 #11
    Tom Baldwin

    Tom Baldwin

    Aug 3, 2003
    MD / DC / VA
    Marsh / Seabury & Smith, 800-503-9230. $100 deductible. Premium roughly $1 per $100 insured. I've never had a claim, been with them for a year.
     
  12. May 21, 2014 #12
    musicmargaret

    musicmargaret

    Feb 15, 2005
    New York City
    JazzNewYork Productions
    Okay, all ye who struggle to get instrument insurance, this person at MusicPro is just wonderful, and I showed her this page, and she said I should send in all her contact information for all of you, so here it is:
    Laura Donelan
    Program Administrator | MusicPro Insurance Agency LLC
    135 Crossways Park Drive Ste 300 | P.O. Box 9017 | Woodbury, NY 11797
    Direct 516-773-8673 | Fax 516-487-0372 | Cell 516-492-4328
    [email protected] | https://www.musicproinsurance.com
     
  13. Jun 10, 2014 #13
    Monte

    Monte

    Jan 9, 2001
    DFW Area, Tejas
    Wow what an old thread back from the dead!

    Probably a good place to point out that I am still with MusicPro. Gotta be over 12 years now I would think? Had a fairly substantial claim with an accident with my Solano Klotz 2 years ago and it was hands down the best experience ever with an insurance claim.

    The luthier in Nashville sent in estimate with my pics, they approved it immediately minus my deductible and I had a check before my bass was even ready. My first experience with a claim was smaller and many years ago now but as I remember it was pretty easy as well.

    I don't know about getting started with them on the phone if it is still a pain....I know it is always difficult before the annual renewals as they are doing everyone's policy at once, but I've never had an issue as I renew every year online and it is easy to change your equipment list, etc online. Just glad it was easy to get someone on the phone when I needed a claim!

    YMMV....thanks Musicmargaret for posting the phone numbers!