Insurance Covers for Musical Instruments - Know What You Need

Oh! You are so excited that finally, you have bought your favorite guitar that you have been eyeing for so long. We understand that you are a responsible owner. And you will do whatever it takes to shield your musical instruments. Right? However, is your long-cherished instrument peril-safe, or "unforeseen-peril-safe", to be precise? How is that possible?

 

You can peril-proof your musical gears just by getting suitable insurance for musical instruments for a noted service provider. Although it cannot prevent any possible loss or damage to your gears, it can definitely protect you from the financial aftermath that follows.

 

If you are a professional musician or professionally related to musical gears and accessories, such as a luthier, appraiser, music shop owner, collector, or music teacher, you need to insure your musical paraphernalia for sure. Remember, musical instruments are more likely to be expensive and need to be well-protected. Otherwise, your entire livelihood and savings could be at stake.

 

When it comes to finding insurance for musical gears, there is no dearth of options. With a good and trustworthy insurance provider, you can choose from a full range of covers. The best part, you can tailor a plan according to your needs. It ensures that you do not have to shell out for something you do not need.

 

Let’s take a look at the types of insurance covers you can choose from:

 

Protection from loss or damage

 

One of the most common yet crucial ones includes protection against damage or loss caused as a result of theft, robbery, fire, water damage, thunderstorm, and deterioration, among others. With this cover, you can be assured that you do not have to pay out of pocket in an unfortunate case of loss or damage to your instrument.

 

Worldwide protection

 

Another one is worldwide coverage. As a musician, if you have to attend any musical concert in a different city or even country, your instruments need to be in their best forms. Right? However, what if you lost or damaged or gear on the way? What if your entire musical apparatus goes missing in a completely foreign land?

 

Do not worry when you have the assurance of your musical instrument insurance policy. Such policies, when taken out from a reputable service provider, come with a worldwide cover. However, the terms and conditions associated with it might vary from one insurance company to the other. So, make sure to check this out beforehand.

 

Protection against third-party liabilities

 

Have you heard about public liabilities related to being a musician? If not, then you have clicked on the right place. Let’s suppose you are playing live in an open musical gig, and suddenly the stack of amplifiers from the front of the stage fell down while injuring a couple of people from the audience?

 

Can you imagine how much the medical bills or cost of fighting lawsuits for each of the injured people could be? This is called public liability when you are responsible for someone else’s loss or damage. In such a scenario, insurance for musical instruments can go a long way to protect you from financial calamity.

 

Get complete protection even when you are a novice

 

You might be wondering that all the types of insurance covers mentioned above are too good for professionals. However, what about the amateur musicians? Is the homeowner’s insurance enough for them?

Well, home insurance, regardless of your professional status, will not cover your musical instruments if something happens to them out of the insured property. So, you are wise enough to understand if or not home insurance plans will be sufficient for your musical gears even when you are just an amateur musical instrument player.

 

Reed Instrument Care Tips

Musical instruments are finely-crafted, valuable investments that can be easily damaged if not properly cared for. Therefore, proper instrument care and maintenance is vital for any musician who wishes to keep their instrument safe and protected. Like with any other kind of musical instrument, a well-maintained and cared-for reed instrument will have a much longer life than one that isn’t.

Whether you are playing a flute, clarinet, bassoon, piccolo or even an oboe, there are several things you can do to preserve both your reed instrument and theirreeds. Keep readingto learn some useful and easy-to-implement tips on how to properly clean, store, maintain, and protect your instruments and reeds.

Caring For Your Reed Instrument

 

When it comes to your reed instrument’s protection, one of the most important things you can do is storing it in a weatherproof case — away from heat, direct sunlight and humidity — when not in use. But here are some additional tips you can follow:

 

●      Before storing your reed instrument, make sure you carefully swab the inside to remove any moisture. We also recommendwiping it down as well, to help preserve its finish.

●      Always place your instrument correctly and gently into its case, never force the case closed. Consider removing your neck strap beforehand as well.

●      Never pick your instrument up by its keys.

●      Oil your instrument’s keys regularly using key oil. You can apply it with the help of a cotton swab, needle, or toothpick to help ensure you don’t use too much oil.

Caring For Your Reeds

 

Good reeds are hard to come by. So when you do manage to find them, you need to handle them with care and do your best to extend their life. Here are some useful tips that can help make your reeds last much longer:

 

●      When buying a new reed, unpack it carefully, avoiding contact with its tip.

●      Before playing, make sure you moisten it first. Some musicians dip their reeds in warm water, while othersuse their saliva.

●      Once the reed is prepped, align its tip with the end of your instrument’s mouthpiece and tighten the ligature screws.

●      Never play a new reed for more than a few minutes during the first few days you use it. This will allow for the reed to gradually get used to expanding and drying.

●      When you are done playing, remove it from your instrument’s mouthpiece, rinse it thoroughly and wipe it dry to remove any excess moisture.

●      Always store your reeds separately, ideally in a reed case. A reed case will keep them flat as they dry and help prevent warping. It will also help protect them from getting chipped or damaged during transportation.

●      Avoid playing the same reed every day, as this will cause it to wear rapidly.

●      Rotate your reeds regularly.

●      Before playing, don’t forget to wipe off lipstick, lip balm, or any other lip product. It is highly recommended to brush your teeth and wash your hands beforehand as well.

●      Make sure you clean your reeds semi-regularly using water and a mild detergent.

●      Avoid exposing them to extreme changes in temperature or humidity, as reeds respond poorly to dramatic environmental changes. 

Getting Full Coverage Instrument Protection

 

While proper instrument care and maintenance can help protect both reeds and reed instruments, it isn’t enough to protect against all of life’s risks. Musical instrument insurance on the other hand, will safeguard your reed instrument in almost every situation. At Clarion Associates, we have designed specialized and customizable musical instrument insurance policies that offer worldwide coverage and an array of benefits you won’t find anywhere else.

 

Whether you are playing a bassoon, piccolo, oboe, clarinet, or flute, we have the perfect musical instrument insurance solution for you. Reach out and contact us today for a quote and find out why Clarion is the leading choice for thousands of musicians and musical instrument owners.

How to Care For Your Instruments in the Fall

 

 

As we move farther into the fall, the weather becomes more unpredictable. Fall can bring both warm and cold breezes, as well as showers and even snow, all within the same week, in some areas. It's hard to know what the weather will be like from one day to the next during this season.

 

These humidity and temperature changes can be exhausting for many of us to keep track of and adjust to. Yet, musicians have another challenge as well – the damage these weather conditions can cause to their musical instruments. We’re going to break down exactly how autumn/fall weather can affect your musical instruments and what you can do to protect them.

How Can Autumn Weather Affect Your Musical Instruments?

 

Science teaches us that most objects expand in the heat and contract in the cold. Like most other objects, musical instrumentsmay also expand and contract when subjected to significant temperature changes. At the same time, moisture and humidity can cause wood to swell, warp or crack, as well as make metal rust, which is true for musical instruments as well.

Therefore, the transitions from cold to hot or from dry to wet (and vice versa) that typically occur during autumn can be significantly harmful to your musical instruments and can lead to expensiverepairs if you’re not careful. Since musical instruments are not weatherproof, proper instrument care is crucial during this time of year.

 

 

What Can You Do To Protect Them?

 

When it comes to instrument protection during fall, the main rule of thumb is to try minimizing your musical instrument's exposure to temperature changes, wind, humidity, and rain.

 

The first thing you can do to avoid such exposure is keeping your musical instrument inside its protective case when you're done playing or cleaning it. After all, this is the primary purpose of a case: to safeguard your musical instrument from the adverse effects of moisture, dust, temperature fluctuations, and direct sunlight. Ensure that the case is tightly closed, and properly latched.Remember to occasionally inspect it for any gaps or holes. If you spot any signs of damage,repair or replace it as soon as possible.

 

As the level of humidity inside your home may rise during fall, investing in a hygrometer and a dehumidifier may be a good idea. The hygrometer will help you measure the humidity level in your home, and the dehumidifier will help you adjust it accordingly.

 

Of course, sometimes you have to travel with your musical instruments. As a musician, you might regularly tour around the world, performing in open-air festivals, or maybe even be a member of a symphony or quartet. In this case, trying to limit the amount of time your instrument will be out of the house might not be a viable option, but there are some things you can do to help minimize your risks.

 

If you’re musical instrument has been out in the cold for an extended period of time, remember to let it gradually warm up to room temperature before attempting to play it again. Use covers to protect it from rain whenever possible, and soak up any excess water or moisture with a towel as soon as you can. An important point to follow year-round is to avoid leaving your musical instrument in the car, where temperatures can fluctuate dramatically and rapidly.

 

 

What Can Clarion Do For You?

 

Regardless of whether your musical instrument is kept at home or travels with you, the best way to keep it safe and sound in the fall is by investing in musical instrument insurance. With Clarion Associates by your side, you’ll be protected against most of the dangers that may befall your instrument.

 

At Clarion, we've designed a specialized, customization musical instrument insurance policy that offers worldwide coverage for damage due to weather conditions, as well as many other benefits you won't find anywhere else! With over 50 years in the insurance industry we have worked with thousands of musicians, so you can rest assured that we understand and respect our customers' unique needs and situations.

 

We offer various specialized services and customization coverage for musicians, music stores, recording studios, instrument collectors, and more! We cover instruments ranging from strings to wood winds, and even pianos! Contact us for a quote today and see why thousands of musicians worldwide trust us with their protecting their prized musical instruments.

How Temperature Changes Can Affect Your Instruments

 

 

As a musician, playing in extreme weather conditions can be rather challenging. Regardless of what musical instrument you are playing — heat, cold, rain, and even high humidity can all make you feel uncomfortable and impact your performance. You won’t play the same if the cold wind is whipping your face and your fingers are freezing, or conversely, if you can’t stop sweating or feel like you can’t breathe because of high humidity.

 

While bad for your performance, bad weather can also affect your musical instruments, affecting each instrument in unique ways. While all musical instruments may face damage due to temperature and weather changes, string instruments, woodwind instruments, drums, and pianos will all react differently.Continue reading to discover helpful tips on how to prepare for seasonal changes and better protect your instruments.

String Instruments

 

In the case of string instruments like guitars, violins, and cellos, heat and cold can cause the strings to expand and contract. Simultaneously, these conditions can also cause the wood to warp or even crack, and the glue that holds the instrument together may start to dry and detach. In the best-case scenario, these will affect your sound quality, and in the worst-case scenario, the damage will be irreparable. To prevent this, string instruments should be stored in a weatherproof case in a temperature range between 72-77°F with humidity levels of around 45-55%.

Woodwind Instruments

 

Woodwind instruments like flutes, clarinets, oboes, and bassoons are subject to various forms of wear, such as shrinking, expanding, drying out, and cracking. While avoiding excessive temperature swings is vital, managing humidity is also essential. The recommended level of humidity your woodwind instruments should be exposed to is no more than 40-55%. As far as temperature levels go, try to avoid playing your instrument if it feels cold to the touch. Allow it to gradually warm up by holding it under your jacket for about half an hour before playing.

Brass Instruments

 

Brass instruments are less susceptible to damage from heat and humidity than other instruments, but there are still some tips to keep in mind. For instruments like trumpets, saxophones, tubas, and trombones, corrosion and bacteria growth are common in hot and humid environments. Therefore, you should make sure you always keep them clean, oiled and stored correctly in a weatherproof case when not in use. Avoid temperatures higher than 78℉ and humidity levels greater than 50%.

 

 

Drums

 

Drums can be a bit finicky as opposed to other instrument types. High levels of humidity can damage the wood in your drums and cause your drum-heads to warp, while low levels of humidity can make them dry out and crack. Simultaneously, low temperatures can cause the wood to contract, making the drum-heads tighter and resulting in a higher pitch. Try to keep the drums in a thermos-table environment and avoid exposure to direct sunlight if possible.

 

Keys

 

As proper conditions produce better sound, how you take care of your instruments is vital to their performance. This type of musical instrument is also subject to the harmful effects of high temperature and humidity. In a piano, excess moisture and heat can cause the bushings to swell. As a result, the time between when you hit a key and when the hammer hits the string will increase, causing the keys to feel sluggish. To prevent this, ensure adequate ventilation and humidity levels of around 40-45% for prolonged performance.

 

 

Do’s and Don’ts

 

Although the recommended storage temperatures, humidity levels, and care process for each musical instrument may vary, there are some universal dos and don’ts to abide by when it comes to protecting your musical instruments.

 

●      DO store your musical instrument in a protective weatherproof case when not in use. Always make sure the case is secured and closed correctly.

●      DON’T expose your instruments to extreme temperature changes.

●      DON’T expose them to extreme humidity, as this will be detrimental to its performance.

●      DO regulate the temperature where your instruments are stored.

●      DO invest in a hygrometer, as well as a humidifier or dehumidifier, if needed. The first will help you measure the humidity level in the air, while the latter will help you manage and adjust it.

 

Get Full Instrument Protection

 

Sometimes, doing your best to protect your musical instrument during the seasonal changes may not be enough. Therefore, getting full protection with a specialized musical instrument insurance policy is something you should consider.At Clarion Associates, we create customizable musical instrument insurance policies to meet your needs. We offer worldwide coverage, as well as an array of other benefits you won’t find anywhere else. Contact us for a quote today and see for yourself why we are trusted by thousands of musicians and musical instrument owners the world over.