Insuring Musical Instruments Options

[TRACY]

I'm looking to insure my daughters violin. Does anyone know of any particularly good companies, and is there anything I should look out for generally in their terms and conditions. Or are there any horror stories re. making a claim that I can learn from even.

[DiscoPants]

I have been with British Reserve (now called Allianz Cornhill) for many years and have been very happy with them. Premiums are very reasonable, and they respond well in the event of a claim.

[STRINGMUM]

We use British reserve as well. We've found them very good to deal with. Last year When my son caused £1000 of damage to his cello the claim was delt with quickly and efficiently.

[BerkshireMum]

We use Brass Band Insurance Services (Norwich Union). It costs just over £1 per year per £100 insured, but it covers your instrument for loss or damage anywhere in the UK, Europe and various other countries (but not the USA), which is useful if you child might go on tour at some stage.

I haven't had to make a claim, so don't know how they would respond, but Norwich Union is normally very good.

By the way, don't be put off by the name - it's not just brass! We have my daughter's violin and both my son's clarinets insured with them.

[barry-clari]

I have been with British Reserve (now called Allianz Cornhill) for many years and have been very happy with them. Premiums are very reasonable, and they respond well in the event of a claim.

I do too. Have never *touch wood* needed to claim from them yet, but they do appear to offer a very good service.

[maya3]

i have my violin insured through allianz cornhill, always been very good about stuff like insuring against tour abroad etc.

[soccermom]

I have my instruments (6 violins of various sizes, 1 viola and 2 cellos) and bows insured with Allianz Cornhill too and I know my daughter's cello teacher uses them for all her instruments. They were brilliant a year or so ago when my daughter's 1/8 cello got broken at school, especially given that it was difficult to explain the circumstances in which it had broken (my daughter's response to what had happened was @I don't know, I just found it like that@. There was absolutely no comparison with the appalling service I had from my car insurance company who were horrendously slow and incompetent the previous year when an idiot van driver drove into me and wrote off my car.

[Minstrel]

Check your normal home insurance policy first - depending on the value of your child's instrument and whether or not it goes abroad you may find that you already have adequate cover.

That said, I am a professional performer and teacher who has used - and made claims from - Allianz Cornhill (or whatever they are called now) and always found them very quick and easy to deal with.

[K503]

I think most household contents would cover musical instruments.
We are insured through Zurich and have cover for valuable personal possessions up to an individual value of £3,000 in Europe. I did claim for an accident to my son's violin whilst left unattended at school and there was no problem.

[TRACY]

Thanks to all for your input. Have insured it with Allianz, as it appeared to be no more expensive than any other company, and it appears to be the most popular. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)