Some Crucial Q&A on Music Equipment Insurance

Let us start with a simple question. If you are a musician or, say, a lead guitarist in a band, can you participate or perform in a musical gig without your musical equipment? Well, for most of you, the answer would be a big NO. Isn't it? Therefore, protecting your musical instruments can be a smart move to ensure you can keep playing to the best of your ability and earning at the same time.

Many musical instrument owners count on their home insurance or renters insurance plans if something unwanted happens to their gears. However, that is often an error they make.

The reason is - such insurance plans generally fail to offer complete coverage. In most cases, they only cover a little portion of the damage or cost of replacement.

You might gawk to learn that, sometimes home insurance or renters insurance may not cover any cost at all. Here, the reason is - you use your musical gear for paid performances. So, it is business equipment that home insurance policies do not cover.

How can you solve this issue while protecting your musical instruments?

To ensure the protection of your musical instruments, the best thing you can do is - buying a music equipment insurance plan. An instrument-specific policy offers comprehensive coverage.

So, if you have lost or damaged your equipment and need to replace it, your insurance plan will take care of it. All-encompassing policies available with leading insurance providers also cover the expenses of renting musical instruments to ensure that you do not lose your income while waiting for the new gear.

Who are the right candidates to buy musical instrument insurance plans?

Anyone who owns a musical instrument is eligible for a musical instrument insurance plan. Although not all-inclusive, here we have a list for you:

●    Musicians - full time or freelancers
●    Symphony musicians
●    Music recording studio owners
●    Music teachers
●    Music instrument collectors
●    Music instrument dealers
●    Musical instrument repairers
●    Musical instrument appraisers, etc.

What musical instruments do dedicate insurance policies cover?

As the name suggests, musical instrument insurance plans cover a range of musical gears and accessories. Although the list is not limited to the below-mentioned products, let us take a look at them:

●    All kinds of musical instruments, including woodwind family, keyboard family, string family, and others
●    Computers
●    All types of musical equipment cases
●    Audio equipment
●    Sheet music
●    Cables
●    Mixing desks
●    Stands

A point to remember - your home insurance plan (most home insurance policies), even if it covers your gears, will not cover musical accessories. However, a music equipment insurance plan covers accessories as well.

How much money do you need to shell out to buy a musical instrument insurance plan?

The cost of a musical instrument insurance plan is likely to vary, depending on various factors, including the extent of coverage you want, the insurance service provider you intend to choose, the terms and conditions of the plan, and the tenure of the policy you wish to choose, among others. However, whatever amount you may have to shell out, one thing is for sure. A musical instrument insurance plan is worth the investment, and you will never regret it after buying it.

What if you have rented your musical instrument to someone else?

Suppose you have given your gear on rent, and the borrower damages or loses it. Will your musical instrument insurance plan cover it? The good news is - YES. However, make sure to check this out with your insurance provider beforehand.

What perks do musical instrument insurance plans have for touring performers?

As a touring artist, you would want to confirm that your gears are safe and secure wherever you go. However, unfortunately, sometimes, things do not work the way we want them to. Yes, we are talking about accidents. These can happen anywhere and anytime. Sometimes, you cannot even avoid them.

What if your gear is damaged or stolen on the way or in a foreign country? Do not worry at all. There also, your musical instrument insurance plan has your back. With a comprehensive music equipment cover, you also get worldwide coverage. Plus, it also covers all sorts of transportation damage. So, don't you think it is a perk?

Musical Instrument Insurance Coverage for Professional Musicians

Musical instruments and related accessories can make you shell out a considerable amount of money ranging from a few hundred dollars to millions and even more. Besides the monetary value, musicians also form a special bond with their musical instruments. And they know that irrespective of their professional status, whether amateurs, professionals, students, or collectors, it is crucial to protect their high-valued musical instruments. They also know that their home insurance cover will not be enough to protect their gears no matter what.

Who is a professional musician?

When it comes to talking about the definition of a professional musician, it goes like this. A professional musician is a person who makes a living from musical instruments. They can be singers, music teachers, music composers, and similar job profile-holders. Also, because they receive financial compensation for playing their gears, such musical equipment or paraphernalia is deemed to be a business property. And, therefore, the home or renter insurance plan does not cover them.

Musicians who use their instruments routinely for paid performances domestically and intentionally or giving music lessons know they need insurance coverage. As collectors own unique, rare and super-expensive gears and accessories, they also need to protect their musical stuff from all types of unforeseen and possible perils. Professional musicians also need Musicians Coverage to protect their finances. If their musical instruments need repair or the musicians need to buy one, they should rely on a dedicated music instrument insurance plan. It helps them cover the replacement and buying costs.

Can you customize your coverage according to your requirements?

Do you know one of the best things with musical instrument insurance plans? You can customize them, provided your insurance provider allows the same. In most cases, customer-friendly insurance providers allow policy customization to policyholders. So, you can buy one according to your needs and preferences. 

What perks can you have in your court under musical instrument insurance?

●    A music instrument insurance plan for professional musicians should make sure to cover all risks. These include destruction, damage, or loss caused by fire, explosion, lightning, water damage, catastrophic elements of nature, crime-related damage or loss, such as robbery, theft, extortion, etc., transport-related damages, misplaced or mixed-ups, to mention some.

●    If you are looking for more extensive coverage, you may also check with your insurance provider if they cover cases of fraud, embezzlement, and cancelled gigs.

●    Some insurance plans may offer extended coverage to newly bought and borrowed musical gear. It means you are safe from all sides when you have the right insurance plan protecting you.

●    You can also ask your insurance provider about worldwide coverage. Many leading insurance providers also offer worldwide protection to musical instruments. It is a win-win clause under your Musicians Coverage plan.

●    Musical instrument policies for professionals may also offer coverage for loss or damage of gears at an appraisers or repairer's shop.

●    Commercial policies for musicians may also offer coverage against loss of income if their gear is damaged, lost, or stolen and they could not make it to their pre-scheduled gig. If you are looking for this option, make sure to get in touch with your insurance service provider beforehand.

●    Such insurance policies also cover the cases of professional or public liabilities. It is one of the most vital coverage options for pro musicians. As they are around people and vice-versa most of the time, the chances of getting involved in a case of public liability are almost always there. And if such an accident happens, it may lead them to the court dealing with lawsuits and medical bills of the third party.

Be wise. Be prepared. Have the right policy in place.

So, these are some of the amazing benefits that professionals, amateurs, and all kinds of musicians and music lovers are likely to get if they buy a dedicated musical instrument plan. Always remember one thing. It is always wise to be prepared to face unforeseen situations. Starting the preparations once the problem has hit does not make any sense. Right?

To buy the best insurance plan, all you need to do is - do your homework, research your options, understand your specific insurance needs, and then choose a plan depending on all the crucial aspects you factored in.

Guitar Instrument: The Journey from Origin to Innovations

Perhaps, you have been a guitar player for quite some time. Or, you are planning to learn this iconic string instrument. And before that, you are looking for some interesting facts about it like the origin of the guitar, innovations around it, world records, and similar details. Right? Great! You have come to the right page. In this blog, we have covered some must-know facts about the guitar. Hopefully, it will satiate your quest for knowledge. Let's get started!

Where did guitars come from?

Guitar-based music first came into being in the latter part of the 1800s. Spain was the place where these stringed instruments were first seen. In Spains, guitars replace vihuela, a lute-type musical instrument. Still (back then), guitars were deemed amateurish by heavy-weight performers. At that time, as they called it, Real Performers or Professional Musicians played the violin, flute, or piano.

When and how did the scene change?

However, this scenario changed in the early 1900s, or you can say in the late 19th century. It happened when maestros like Andrés Segovia and Franciso Tárrega fetched guitars from the down and out category and carried them into the band or orchestra. Segovia and Tárrega made these strings worthy by adapting them into the works of influential composers in the history of music like Mozart and Bach.

Soon, guitars broke all the boundaries of confinement of Classical and Baroque music and never saw back.

Were guitars rhythm instruments earlier?

Initially, guitars were regarded as rhythm musical instruments (to be precise). At that time, this musical instrument had to follow the singer (the key they were in). Not the vice-versa.

The virtuoso classical guitarist from Spain, Andrés Segovia, also motivated the musicians of the new generation, including Heitor to use guitar in their compositions.

Did you know the facts?

Did you know what added to the popularity of the guitar during that time? The cost and size of this guitar. This string instrument was more portable and less expensive than pianos. These were indeed some added advantages.

Also, do you know how many musicians play the guitar worldwide? There are a whopping 50 million guitarists across the globe. This figure includes bass, acoustic, and electric guitarists. A 2018 study says that as many as 50% of the budding guitar players are women.

Wow! Guitars were and are truly loved by all. Therefore, if you own this musical gear, make sure to protect it by getting a comprehensive Guitar Insurance plan.

The origin of guitars

Our lovely relationship with this string musical instrument is not very old. It was just 150 years back. Want to know more about its history? Here you go!

The word guitar finds its roots in the world's old language, 'Sanskrit'. The 'guitar' is an 'English' word, derived from a 'Spanish' word, 'Guitarra' (medieval lute). And, Guitarra dates even before that. There are many chordophones from places like central, south, or west Asia that come with a suffix, 'Tar'. In Sanskrit, the meaning of Tar is String. So, it is all related in that way.

Did you know the facts?

The oldest musical instrument resembling a guitar came from Mesopotamia and Egypt.

Around 3500 years ago, Har-Mose, a singer, was buried with a chordophone that had three strings.

This ancient guitar can be found in Cairo's Egyptian Museum.

And the innovations began!

There are a lot of innovations made around guitars that constantly led the hardware, designs, and tones of these string instruments to evolve. Did you know when the world saw its first electric guitar? It was in the year 1931.

George Beauchamp, a musical instrument inventor from America, and Adolph Rickenbacker, a Swiss-American electrical engineer, joined hands to design a new model of guitar that the players can amplify electrically. And, the Rickenbacker Electro A-22 (Frying Pan) was created.

Although George Beauchamp made an application for a patent in the year 1932, he did not get it for five years (until 1937). In the meantime, Gibson had released their ES-150 already. It was a hollow body guitar.

In 1951, Broadcaster or Fender Telecaster mass-produced their solid-body guitar.

And, then the series of innovations began.

These are some of the facts about the guitar that every music enthusiast should know. Most importantly, with such an interesting and rich history, every guitar deserves an all-encompassing Guitar Insurance plan.

A Comprehensive Guide to Violin Insurance

Did you purchase a violin recently and now wondering if or not you should buy an insurance plan? Industry experts design various insurance policies to protect your musical instruments from unforeseen situations. A good insurance plan will protect your interest if your violin is lost or is damaged. Like you have various options of protecting your home, car, or health, you have some great options for safeguarding your string too.

The perks of having comprehensive Violin Insurance are many. Whether you are a professional musician or just a novice, it will help you get a hassle-free replacement if your gear is damaged or you have lost it. Besides, there are many scenarios that a quality musical instrument plan happens to cover.

Go through this content to understand your options in a better way. Read on!

Musical instruments are vulnerable. Protect them with the right policy

Finely-crafted string instruments are not only beautiful but also vulnerable to whatever may come their way. Therefore, being watchful is the only feasible option you have. And when it comes to protecting musical instruments like violin, a standalone insurance plan is all you need.

How worse may a situation get? Do you want to know?

If you listen to the horror stories related to fine musical gears getting lost or damaged, you will get goosebumps, for sure. In spite of going the extra mile and taking as much care as possible, you may see your gear getting lost in thin air or getting destroyed.

Here is an incident that will surely make you reconsider your decision of if or not you should get a dedicated cover for your musical instrument. If you are planning to hop on the home insurance bandwagon, then also it may be a good read for you.

Here you go!

It is the story of Wunderkind David Garrett, the star violinist. The incident happened in the year 2008 when he was only 26. After wrapping up his concert at the Barbican Center, London, he was taking the leave. While going out of the venue, he slipped on a wet staircase and fell. Where or on which thing he fell would run a chill down your spine. David Garrett happened to fall on his violin, the 1772 Giovanni Guadagnini string. And this incident happened soon after he was done paying off the loan to buy the string. Did you know how much the loan amount was? It was a whopping £ 1.2 million loan. Although the gear was in its case, it was damaged. Needless to mention, Garrett was in a complete state of shock.

However, what saved him was - his string was insured.

Another case, much more horrible than Garrett's will make you think again. Peter Stumpf, the former leading cellist, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, left his cello, the great Stradivarius cello, at his doorsteps after a performance. Adding to his horrors, someone stole it. Not only stole it but also damaged and dumped it. However, somehow, a nurse saw it, understood its value, and returned it to Stumpf.

Do not forget. Not everyone is as fortunate as these two musicians. So, being prepared is the key.

Imagine the same situations without insurance coverage.

Have you ever imagined: What if something as horrible as the above incident happens to you and your musical instrument is not insured? It would land you in deep trouble. Therefore, it is always wise to get a comprehensive Violin Insurance plan before you are left with no option other than repenting.

What if your violin does not cost a million dollars?

Well, it can be pretty much possible. But that does not decrease the importance of getting a musical instrument insurance plan. Even if your string or any other musical instrument costs only $500, it is your hard-earned money. Isn't it? You have worked really hard to buy it. Therefore, you should insure your gear, regardless of its price tags. It will help you prevent complete loss due to an accident, natural disaster, or theft.

After going through this piece of content, you have realized that the best thing you can do to your musical instruments is to insure them under a comprehensive musical instrument insurance plan.